City Scene - July 2001: Warmer Home for Hopewells

July 2001

Public must get involved in debate

Make sure you’re enrolled to have your say

City still a great place to live

Big upswing in kerbside recycling

Help wanted in stamping out illegal parking

Warmer Home for Hopewells

Michael Hopewell is happy with his cosy warmer house.

The Hopewell’s Bryndwr home is snug and warm this winter.

Michael Hopewell says he took advantage of the City Council’s Warmer Homes Incentive Scheme when his 93- year-old mother-in-law came to live with him.

The Warmer Homes scheme is part of the Clean Air and Energy Efficiency Programme and is designed for house-owners on low incomes.

The Hopewells have installed ceiling and under-floor insulation, as well as installing two night store heaters.

"The difference in temperature in the house is very marked," Mr Hopewell said.

"The staff were most helpful and marvellous to deal with," he said.

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

The incentives are for the replacement of open fires and coal burners.

Warmer Homes will provide:

A free visit and energy check by a City Council energy adviser.

100 per cent of the cost of disabling an open fire or coal burner, up to $135.

100 per cent of the cost of installing ceiling and under-floor insulation, up to $7.15 a square metre for ceilings and $5.80 a sq m for under-floor.

80 per cent of the installed cost of an electric or other clean-air approved heating appliances, up to $350.

Householders who wish to know about their eligibility for grants should phone 352 4488 or visit the Council Energy Efficiency Show Home at 10 Leander Street, Papanui, from 11am to 6pm every day except Wednesdays.