Helping hand for insulation and cleaner heating

Homeowners on low incomes with community services cards who want to heat their houses more efficiently and insulate them can apply for City Council financial help.

The new Warmer Homes incentive scheme is part of the Council’s Clean Air and Energy Efficiency Programme.

It has been designed to address the heating needs of low income households in Christchurch fairly, effectively and economically.

The overall objective is to clean up the city’s air while ensuring comfortable, healthy indoor temperatures are maintained affordably.

The new incentive scheme is for the replacement of open fires and coal burners, not for old wood burners.

Warmer Homes will provide:

• A free visit and energy check by a City Council energy adviser;
• 100% of the cost of disabling an open fire or coal burner, up to $135;
• 100% of the cost of installing ceiling and under-floor insulation, up to $7.15 per square metre for ceiling insulation and $5.80 per square metre for under-floor insulation;
• 80% of the installed cost of an electric or other clean-air approved heating appliance, up to $350.

Householders who wish to check their eligibility for the grants and find out more about the scheme should telephone the programme administrator on 352 4488 or visit the Council’s Energy Efficiency Show Home at 10 Leander Street, Papanui.

The Show Home is open from 11am to 6pm every day except Wednesday.