The Housing Industry of Australia (HIA) is the national industry association for Australian building professionals. GreenSmart is the HIA’s sustainability program.HIA GreenSmart accredited projects must demonstrate a commitment to reducing environmental impact across a range of areas including improved energy efficiency, reduced water usage, resource efficiency, reduced waste and improved energy management.
The assessment criteria for a GreenSmart home includes:
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
The ability of the householders to reduce operational energy consumption through passive solar design elements, appropriate construction methods for the climate, appropriate ventilation and the selection of energy efficient fittings and appliances.
WATER MANAGEMENT
The ability of the householders to reduce water consumption through the selection of water efficient fittings and fixtures and the installation of alternative water supplies.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
The selection and use of materials and building products which can assist in creating a healthier home environment for future occupants.
MATERIAL SELECTION
The selection and use of materials which can assist in reducing the environmental impact of the home during construction and as a finished home.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
The general design and features of the home aim at ensuring the needs of the occupants, regardless of age or ability, can be met now or in the future, through simple adaptations.
HIA GreenSmart supports the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines published by the National Dialogue on Universal Housing Design (2010). These GreenSmart requirements intended to mirror the ‘silver’ level standards as set out in those Guidelines.
LANDSCAPING
The design and management of outdoor areas around the home.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Ensuring construction work takes place in a way which minimises the potential or actual removal of soil and sediment from the building site and their potential to enter drains and nearby waterways.
RESOURCE EFFICIENT PRACTICE
Ensuring construction work is carried out in a way which minimises the potential or actual waste material generated and ensuring appropriate removal from site.
Other Sustainability Assessments
NATHERS Assessment
The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, or NatHERS for short, is a performance based rating system that describes the thermal performance of a home.
eTool Certification
eTool LCA software is an industry leading Life Cycle Assessment program that enables in-depth analysis of building inputs, as well as design performance modelling to account for both the embodied and operational carbon of a project.
Living Key Assessment
Living Key offers a set of rating tools, services and resources for industry and householders to assess and rate the liveability and sustainability of urban residential properties. Our detailed property reports provide an easy to understand sustainability assessment rating of the key liveability and sustainability features and attributes of your property.