ISSUE 1

A message from a GreenSmart Leader - featuring Austral Bricks

Austral Bricks For Thermal Mass

Thermal mass is a critical part of energy efficient house design. It is also a key principle of passive design, a proven method for reducing our growing dependence on mechanical heating and cooling.

Austral bricks build in thermal mass - a time-proven, economical and well accepted building material that has high thermal mass

Energy efficient house design is becoming more and more important with the push for Australia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bricks, with their ability to absorb and store heat, are an effective, economical and practical choice to build thermal mass into a wall.

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HIA – Boral GreenSmart Awards 2007 are NOW OPEN

Take the opportunity to submit your project, product or business that serves to achieve sustainable housing solutions and be recognised for your efforts.

:: click here to download the entry form

GreenSmart Feature Article

Marketing the HIA GreenSmart Brand

Since it’s inception in 1999, HIA GreenSmart has increased its market exposure to HIA members and the wider community.

Consumers today are becoming more aware of the need to reduce their impact on the environment and restrict their usage of non-renewable resources as well as the ability to save money on running costs through building a sustainable home. With over 2500 HIA GreenSmart Professionals Australia-wide, 426 of which were accredited in 2006, HIA GreenSmart is continuing to grow and build brand awareness amongst these consumers and the housing industry in general.

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Launch of the HIA GreenSmart Product Guide

Looking for an easier way to find greener building materials?

:: click here to order your GreenSmart: The HIA GreenSmart Home & Building Guide

HIA Home Building & Renovation Expo

Welcome to the new HIA Home Shows featuring the Home Building and Renovation Expos.  The new HIA home shows will incorporate the success of HIA’s national Home and Building Expo with dmg’s leading consumer home shows. This combined strength will showcase the best in the building, renovation and home design sectors to trade and consumers across Australia.

The GreenSmart Building Zone will be a feature of the HIA Home Building and Renovation Expo’s and comprise of a range of products and services that promote energy and water conservation and the use of healthy materials and resource efficient building systems.

Make sure you check out the GreenSmart Building Zone and Water Smart Display at the upcoming Melbourne or Sydney Expo and take away a whole host of information on what you can do easily and affordably to make your next building project greener.

Melbourne 7–15 April 2007 http://www.hiahomeideasshow.com.au/

Sydney 10–13 May 2007 http://www.sydneyhomeshow.com.au/

Welcome to new GreenSmart Professionals

Accredited GreenSmart professionals January to March 2007.

:: click here to find out who they are

GreenSmart Advertorial

GreenSmart Upcoming Events and Activities

Accredited GreenSmart Projects - January to March 2007
(Estates, Developments, Villages and Homes)

Your participation in GreenSmart case studies is being sought

HIA is keen to develop some case study material for GreenSmart which compares the energy and water use of a household moving from a traditional home to a home that incorporates GreenSmart principles and as a GreenSmart Professional we are looking for your involvement.

:: to find out how you can be involved click here

GreenSmart logo has been designed to embody the spirit of GreenSmart representing a convergence between housing and environmental interests. The logo’s integration of a roof shape and a eucalyptus leaf signifies the importance of the relationship between the built and the natural environment.