The New South Wales Government is calling for volunteers to live rent free for a year in a so-called smart home in Sydney.

Energy Minister John Robertson says the family will be testing the latest technology to save energy and water.

"This trial is about taking smart, green technologies out of the lab and putting them to the test in the real world with a real family," he said.

"We're looking for a family with children because we know that kids use technology different to their parents."

The home is in the old Olympic village in Newington and is powered by rooftop solar panels and a fuel cell that converts natural gas into electricity.

There will be an electric car, organic LED TV, and technology that will enable the family to turn lights and appliances on and off from an iPhone or laptop.

Mr Robertson says the family will be asked to write about their experiences.

He also says the technology might put the family to the test.

"We need someone who can blog," he said.

"And we'll probably need a family who's got a good sense of humour and plenty of patience, because not everything we test in the house we know is going to work perfectly every time.

"This project is a bit like The Jetsons meet Big Brother."

But Mr Robertson says there will be no cameras, instead energy and water use will be monitored.

The family will be selected in April or May and will move into the house for approximately 12 months from June or July.

It is the first home of its kind to be trialled in Australia.

Interested families can apply through www.tenderlink.com/energy

'Big savings'

Energy Australia says it is hoping to make energy savings of between 20 and 50 per cent in the trial.

Company spokesman Adrian Clark says the trial will help identify the savings that can be made using new technology.

"Time will tell as we do the trial. That's why we're doing a lot of monitoring, but we believe there will be significant savings from the types of appliances in the house," he said.

"[We can do it] also by the customers knowing what they're using in the house so they can make appropriate decisions."