Our healthy homes research capabilities
We research how homes perform in real conditions, what drives poor indoor environments and which changes make the biggest difference for occupants and for the building system.
Our work combines field studies, in‑home monitoring, data analysis and evidence translation, turning real‑world insights into guidance, tools and inputs to standards and policy.
We also bring specialist capability in indoor environmental quality, connecting building physics with household behaviours to understand how heating, ventilation, airtightness, moisture and energy use interact.
Our capabilities include:
- large‑scale, real‑home research – on‑site surveys, in‑home monitoring and linked datasets
- analysis of housing, energy affordability and wellbeing – including impacts of energy hardship
- ventilation and indoor air quality research across the existing housing stock
- building physics – including detailed measurements and modelling to understand the implications of material and system choices and a strong focus on measuring heat and moisture transiency and durability risks with tools such as WUFI
- translating evidence into practical guidance, tools and decision support for industry and policy.
Impact of BRANZ healthy homes research
In practice, this research supports healthier housing outcomes by:
- reducing risks of cold, damp and mould‑affected homes
- supporting evidence‑based regulation and interventions
- informing practical guidance, tools and solutions for the housing sector.
One way this impact is seen is through work that links housing condition data to policy change and occupant outcomes.
Significant past programmes
Read about our most significant long-running national research studies that have connected indoor environmental conditions with housing quality and health outcomes and helped shift policy settings for the better.
Case study: Joining the dots on housing conditions, health and wellbeing
BRANZ worked with MBIE, Stats NZ and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to connect objective measures of housing condition with household wellbeing outcomes. Through the nationwide Pilot Housing Survey, BRANZ collected information on the internal and external condition of more than 800 homes and linked this with the Stats NZ General Social Survey to support analysis at a national scale. The work strengthened the evidence that poor-quality housing is associated with lower comfort and wellbeing, helping decision makers better target interventions for households most at risk.
BRANZ housing condition data is now incorporated into Stats NZ’s large, secure research database the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), enabling further research and insight.
Our latest healthy homes research – HEEP2
The Household Energy End-use Project 2 (HEEP2) is a nationwide study examining how energy is used and the indoor conditions in over 750 New Zealand households. Data was collected from August 2022 to May 2025 through surveys, monitoring and metered energy records. It is now being analysed to find ways to improve efficiency, lower costs, cut carbon emissions and keep homes warm and dry.
HEEP2 continues on from the original HEEP study (1995–2005), enabling comparisons of household energy use and home conditions over two decades.
Explore healthy home testing resources
Thermal performance and insulation testing services
Invitation to collaborate
BRANZ collaborates on research with domestic and international stakeholders throughout the building system. Collaborators include industry players, practitioners, building owners, government agencies, universities, public research organisations and international research organisations.
Find out how to partner with us to advance healthy homes research in New Zealand and globally.
Learn more