Author: Matthew Cutler-Welsh
-
Episode 9: Down to Earth Real Estate
Last week I had the chance to catch up with Barb Cooper from Down to Earth Real Estate. Barb is a trained Ecobroker and also a Homestar Homecoach. She’s also a very active member of her own community, helping to organise events and publish the Paremoremo newsletter. We talked about why some real estate agents get…
-
Home improvements for under $100
It seems that a lot of the big gains to be made in improving warmth, comfort and efficiency, come with a big price tag. But what about some of the small stuff? There are a whole bunch of really cost effective ways to improve the performance of any home. The other day, I picked up…
-
Free Solar
I’m fortunate to be working with an intern from Canada at the moment. As well as being an enthusiastic workers, she’s got some great ideas and insights into the better ways of doing things. I always find it interesting to hear stories, especially success stories from other parts of the world. And here’s a great…
-
Episode 8: Interview with Verney Ryan
I’m absolutely stoked to have had the pleasure of interviewing Verney Ryan. If you don’t know who Verney is, the definitely check out this latest podcast. And if you do know Verney, you’ll already appreciate that he’s a great guy to talk to about sustainable living, so I’m sure you’ll want to listen also. Among other…
-
How good is the Energywise Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart Scheme?
The official results are out and it makes for some very interesting reading. The team at He Kainga Oranga have released their evaluation report of the government’s $340 million Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart (WUNZ:HS) programme.
-
Episode 6: Interview with Alex Reiche from EnviroSpec
Is wool better than synthetic? What’s the best type of pain to use? Who can supply FSC timber? These are good question for the discerning home owner or builder who’s wanting to create a healthy, ‘resource efficient’ space to live.
-
Episode 5: Central Heating
In today’s cast, I complete our introduction to heating systems with a look at central heating.
-
Why are New Zealand Homes so cold and unhealthy?
The inside of many (most?) New Zealand homes is pretty cold and damp. It’s no coincidence then, that New Zealand also has one of the highest rates of asthma in the OECD. Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman is perhaps the countries leading expert in the connection between our housing stock and our health and I was privileged…
-
Episode 4: Types of Heaters for Individual Rooms
In Episode 4 of the Home Style Green podcast, I discuss the common types of heaters used to heat individual rooms. I talk briefly about the running costs of each type and how to decided which one to use. There’s also a strong word of caution about why not to use unflued gas heaters. In…
-
Episode 3: Insulation part 2
Episode 3 of the Home Style Green podcast is now available in iTunes. In part 2 of this insulation introduction, I discuss the main types of insulation used for ceilings, floors and wall. For more information about insulation materials, check out Level.org.nz from BRANZ: http://www.level.org.nz/fileadmin/downloads/Materials/LevelMInsul.pdf For more on the properties of wool, including great microscopic…