The climate is changing and we need to change too.   How we respond to the issue of climate change now will determine the shape of our future – our economy, environment, and communities. 
Benefits of making your rental property more energy efficient

Benefits for the landlord:
>Increase in the value of the property
>Increase the attractiveness to potential tenants

Benefits for the tenant:
>Improved health and comfort levels – retain good tenants by providing a comfortable living environment
>Reduction of financial cost for tenants – energy bills can be considerably higher in properties with inefficient appliances, heating and cooling and hot water systems and if the property is not adequately insulated

Benefits for the environment:
>Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – turn your property into an environmentally friendly investment.

Click here for Energy Efficiency Tips for Landlords

Click here for Energy Efficiency Tips for Tenants

• Replace old windows with double pane windows.  This will keep more heat inside your home so you use less energy.
• Have air-conditioner and heat pump filters cleaned or replaced.
• Use energy efficient lighting.  By replacing 25% of your lights in high-use areas with fluorescents, you can save around 50% of your lighting energy bill.  Compact fluorescents last 13 times longer.
• Check the efficiency of your appliances.  Does the fridge pass the eco-friendly test? Just shut the door on a bank note. If it slides out easily, it's time to replace the seal.  If you’re purchasing new appliances invest a little extra money in an energy-efficient product and save more money in the long run. 
• Check the hot water temperature.  If it’s over 55 degrees Celsius then the thermostat may need adjusting.
• Check your hot water cylinder, if it’s warm to touch it needs an insulation wrap, available from hardware stores.  Foam insulation from the hardware store can be used to wrap the pipes that you can see in your hot water cupboard.
• Fix leaky hot taps.  A drip a second can add $30 a year to the electricity bill.
• If the vent pipe in the roof or on an outside wall is dripping you will be losing heat as well as water.  A plumber may need to adjust the pressure-reducing valve.
• Check your shower flow, you may need a more water efficient shower head.  To check run the shower at normal temperature.  It fills a 2 litre container in less than 10 seconds you could benefit from a more efficient shower head.
• Educate your tenants on the importance of recycling and how they can help the environment and save money through energy efficiency.  Call your local council to see if you can get more recycle bins for the property if they are required.
• Garden waste and kitchen scraps in landfills break down into methane, a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change.  Almost half (45%) of the average rubbish bag can be composted.  Purchasing a compost bin for your investment property and encouraging your tenants to use it will reduce methane emissions from landfills and benefit the garden. 
• If you’re in the market for a rental property consider buying new.  Modern properties are more energy efficient and cheaper to run.   
• If you already own an older property it may be beneficial to review the insulation, particularly if the house was built prior to 1978.   As much as 35% of heat loss from a house is through an uninsulated ceiling and 15 to 25% through uninsulated walls. Draughts from cracks and gaps can equate to having a medium sized window open all the time.  Well insulated homes are warmer in winter, have lower humidity and use less energy.  Make sure curtains or blinds are bigger than the window frame and close fitting with no gaps for warm air to escape/.
• Not only can good landscaping add value to a property but trees soak up carbon dioxide making cleaner air for us to breathe
• Replacement appliances or new energy saving devices, such as solar heating, can be depreciated and maintenance, servicing and repairs are eligible to be claimed as tax deductions so improving the energy efficiency of your investment property need not leave you completely out of pocket.  

Tips for Tenants
Making your home more energy efficient is good for the environment and for your power bills.  A typical family uses around 10,000 kWh of electricity a year.  At about 19 cents per kWh (excluding fixed daily charges) that’s $1,900 a year.  Here are some tips for making your property more energy efficient.

• Run your dishwater only with a full load.
• Instead of turning up the heat in your home, put on a sweater or snuggle up to a hot water bottle.
• Turn off lights, appliances & computers when you're not using them.
• Make sure you switch off equipment on 'stand-by' (with display lights and clocks visible) such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, stereos & microwaves at the wall.
• If you’re looking for an excuse to upgrade your television or computer consider splurging on an LCD flat-screen. It uses only a third of the electricity of tube-based models.
• Switch off your hated towel rail during the day or have an electrician fit a timer.  Using it for 4 hours per day, rather than 24 hours per day will save you $100 per year.
• If you’re going away for more than two weeks turn your hot water cylinder off.
• Do full loads of clothes washing using cold water and hang clothes out to dry instead of using the dryer.
• Use a thermostat and a timer on your heaters so they only come on when you need them and automatically turn off once the right temperature is reached.
• Avoid using open fires to heat your home in winter.
• Try not to open the oven door too often, the temperature drops by up to 15 degrees each time.
• Fill the kettle with cold water and only with as much water as you need.
• Use lids on your pots, uncovered pots use three times as much energy.
• Close windows, doors and curtains to keep in the heat that has built up during the day.
• Identify any draughts from cracks and gaps and ask your landlord if you can have them sealed. You can buy draught stoppers from the hardware store.  If your landlord is happy for you to do so contact the fire department for advice on how to safely plug the fireplace.
• New Zealanders throw away 3.6 million tones of rubbish every year.  This would equate to more than 1000 busloads of rubbish each day.  65% of rubbish can be recycled or composted.  Recycle glass, plastic items and tins and collect paper and cardboard in a separate bag.  If your recycling bin is not big enough call your local council and see if you can get another. 
• Garden waste and kitchen scraps in landfills break down into methane, a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change.  Almost half (45%) of the average rubbish bag can be composted.  Separate this from your rubbish and put it in a compost bin.  This will reduce methane emissions from landfills and benefit the garden at the same time.
• Buy products with less packaging.
• Take a recyclable shopping bag to the supermarket instead of using plastic bags each time.