The EECA is investing in Kiwi Homes

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has welcomed the Government $142 million investment to make Kiwi homes healthier.

This spending in a new four-year programme, known as Warmer Kiwi Homes, will make the homes of lower-income New Zealanders warmer and drier by providing grants to insulate and heat homes, says EECA Chief Executive Andrew Caseley.

“Too many homes are cold and damp, leading to preventable diseases such as rheumatic fever and asthma. That’s a burden on Kiwi families, as well as the health system.”

Mr Caseley says some parts of the community are particularly at risk.

“Low-income families, young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the impacts of living in cold, damp housing.”

The first year of the programme will focus on ceiling and underfloor insulation as the highest priority for creating a warm, dry home, Mr Caseley says.

“Homes that aren’t properly insulated are very costly to heat, with heat escaping through the ceiling and underfloor.”

“Lower-income homeowners will be able to access grants covering two-thirds of the cost of installing ceiling and underfloor insulation.”

Grants to install heating appliances will be available from July 2019, Mr Caseley says.

Warmer Kiwi Homes will be delivered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) which is working through details of the new grants programme.

For more information: Senior Communications Advisor Penny St John 027 687 3123 or penny.stjohn@eeca.govt.nz

Frequently asked questions

When will the new Warmer Kiwi Homes start?

Homeowners can apply for grants from 1 July 2018. Further details will be posted on EECA’s Energywise website – www.energywise.govt.nz

Who is eligible for grants?

Those on low incomes who own and live in their homes (not landlords) are eligible.

Low income will be defined as those who either:

  • Have a Community Services Card, OR
  • Live in a New Zealand Deprivation Index decile 9 or 10 area, OR
  • Are families referred through the Ministry of Health’s Healthy Homes Initiative.

What do the grants cover?

The grants cover ceiling and underfloor insulation and ground moisture barriers.  From year two they will also cover the installation of a heating device.  Details on which heating devices will be funded are still being worked through.

How many homes will be insulated?

EECA estimates 52,000 houses will be insulated or have a heater installed over the four years of the programme (some will receive both). 

Why are heating measures being brought in later?

Heating measures will be added from 1 July 2019 to align with the heating standards being developed under the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act. Insulation is always the first priority for creating a warm, dry home.

Note to Editors

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is the Crown agency that encourages, supports, and promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable energy in New Zealand. EECA provides information to households through

ENERGYWISETM www.energywise.govt.nz and to businesses through EECA BUSINESSTM www.eecabusiness.govt.nz

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ANZ Bank New Zealand today announced $100 million in interest-free loans to help Kiwis insulate their homes. ANZ’s CEO, David Hisco, said the bank would make available to its home loan customers interest-free loans to help cover insulating their houses. “Cold, damp and mouldy homes are a major problem in New Zealand, resulting in many health problems, expensive energy bills and degradation of properties,” Mr Hisco said. “ANZ wants to help New Zealand resolve this major social, environmental and economic problem.

Properly installed insulation can transform an unhealthy home literally overnight and vastly improve the quality of life – particularly for children.” The interest-free loans will be available to ANZ customers who currently have home loans from next month. The loans will be repayable over a maximum of four years and be for a maximum of $5000 per house for up to two houses.

They will be available to homeowners and landlords who use registered builders and certified insulation installers. Mr Hisco launched the initiative today at the Expol insulation plant at Onehunga with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Ms Ardern said dry, healthy homes have been a priority of the Government. Its new Health Homes Guarantee Act requires rental homes in New Zealand to meet minimum heating and insulation standards.

The Government offers $2000 insulation grants, and acknowledges the work of organisations that help make New Zealanders’ homes warmer and drier. Mr Hisco said insulating the floor and ceiling space of an average three to four-bedroom home would cost about $5000-$7000. A $5000 interest-free home insulation loan would cost a homeowner about $100 a month to pay off over 48 months. He said ANZ’s purpose as a company was to shape a world where people and communities thrive and to do that it had decided to focus strongly on three areas that customers and staff told it were important to them – housing, environmental sustainability and financial literacy.

*The interest free home insulation loan initiative is subject to ANZ’s normal terms and conditions, including affordability and LVR restrictions, and will be reviewed after six months. 

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