Online with Sustainability website

Online with Sustainability website

22 June 2007

A new website launched by building research company BRANZ could lead to lower power bills and water rates for homeowners, and to more environmentally-friendly homes across the country.

LEVEL is a free access site which gives detailed advice about all the key aspects of sustainable building, from taking advantage of free sources of energy, choosing durable and eco-friendly building materials, to collecting rainwater for use in the home.

"There's been a lot of discussion about the need to build sustainably, but comparatively little in the way of available technical information with a New Zealand focus," says Chris Kane, Science Communication Manager at BRANZ. He says that while the new website is aimed primarily at those in the construction industry, experienced DIYer's would also find it of use.

The site www.LEVEL.org.nz is being launched at the 2007 BUILD New Zealand Expo in Auckland this weekend. Expo visitors will be able to see a preview of the LEVEL website at the BRANZ stand. The new website has been built over the last year, and is the result of over 15 years of scientific research which BRANZ has conducted into sustainability.

The site is independent, has been funded by the building research levy and does not carry any advertising. The LEVEL website complements another recently launched site, www.smarterhomes.org.nz , which has a consumer focus. Smarter Homes was commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment and put together by Consumers' Institute.

ENDS

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