Help with insulation
You can get help to make your house more energy-efficient with the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme.
This government-funded subsidy can help pay for approved insulating materials and approved installers to make older (pre-2000) houses healthier and warmer. One-third of the total cost up to $1300 (incl GST) is available as a subsidy.
Homeowners with Community Services Card can get up to 60% of the total cost paid for them, with no upper limit. Some regions may offer more, as funding from local charities, lines companies or councils may be available. Ask your provider what they offer.
An extra $500 ($1200 in some cases) is available for clean heaters.
However, the $1300 maximum is based on a "typical New Zealand house" and for many people the cost may be higher. Not everyone may be willing or able to take on extra debt.
Loans may be available from banks, power companies or councils to pay for the remainder of the insulation costs. The fund does not have a salary cap, so will be available for everyone – not only low-income homes. The subsidy (plus the Community Services Card subsidy if appropriate) is also available to landlords.
How to apply for funding
Contact an approved provider in your area. EECA, some insulation manufacturers, and some local councils can advise you.
Available funding
Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart funding is available to the levels outlined below.
|
|
Insulation |
Clean heating |
|
All eligible houses |
33% of the total cost up to $1300 (incl GST) |
$500 (incl GST) |
|
Homeowners who hold Community Services Cards |
60% of the total cost * |
$1200 (incl GST) |
|
Landlords with tenants who hold Community Services Cards |
60% of the total cost |
$500 (incl GST) |
More information
> VISIT the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) website
or VISIT their EECA: Energywise Warm Up New Zealand website
or call them on 0800 358676
Comment
It's time undo some of the harm that's been done by power price rises, by using a portion of the windfall profits earned by state-owned energy companies to increase the level of support offered through Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart.
Precious electricity barely stops to wave good-bye as it leaks through New Zealand houses' roofs and windows.
The Domestic Energy Users' Network says we should do more to help New Zealanders plug those leaks, and the benefits are gained from day one, in healthier houses and reduced power bills.
> VISIT the DEUN Fair Electricity campaign site
About the Domestic Energy Users' Network
DEUN is an umbrella group of national organisations of householders with shared interests in the energy sector. DEUN’s membership comprises:
- Age Concern New Zealand;
- Grey Power Federation;
- Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association;
- Rural Women New Zealand;
- Public Health Association;
- Child Poverty Action Group
Notes
1 This financial year ending June 2008, the Crown received $1012 million in revenues from the sector, down from $1125 million in the previous year.
2: Emissions pricing will add at least 2c/kWh to household electricity prices. Spread over all domestic electricity sales, this will cost domestic consumers an extra $230 million per year - assuming a modest carbon price of $25 per tonne. Note that international prices are much higher today - around $40 per tonne.
Most of that $230 million per year will be windfall profits, assuming new generation comes almost entirely from renewable energy.
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