More Southlanders able to access insulation grants

More Southlanders Able to Access Insulation Grants

More Southlanders will be able to access insulation grants after the Government announced an expansion to the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme.  Awarua Synergy general manager Sumaria Beaton-Sikisini said she welcomed the news that Energy Minister Simon Watts has potentially opened up another 300,000 homes nationwide to become eligible for insulation grants.

For the first time, households in deciles 5 and 6 can claim a 50% insulation grant, previously unavailable to them, she said.  In Southland, this rises to 55% with the additional contribution of the Southland Warm Homes Trust (SWHT).  Beaton-Sikisini is a board member of the Insulation Association of New Zealand (IAONZ), which has been working with EECA and Minister Watts’ team providing solutions and ideas about how the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme could be expanded and was excited to see this first step put into place.

“Safe, warm and dry housing is a fundamental human right. Healthier homes also mean less sickness and time off school and work,” she said.

Awarua Synergy works with SWHT and EECA to provide a range of insulation packages.

Warmer Kiwi Homes can also cover up to 90% of the cost of buying and installing insulation and an efficient heater if you are eligible for a subsidy, which means people save money while keeping cosy, she said.

“Everyone deserves to be warm. At Awarua Synergy we know that sometimes heating your home can mean another bill that might be hard to pay, but we also know how important having a warm dry house is to our community’s health and wellbeing.”  It’s estimated the scheme saves about $15 million a year in avoided health costs nationwide, because of fewer respiratory illnesses.  Awarua Synergy provides free, unconditional home energy health checks and can also talk you through ways to make sure you’re getting value for money as well as any help you may need with heating your home and keeping it warm.

The best way to find out if you are eligible for help with getting your home warm, dry and healthy is to contact Awarua Synergy.

Give us a ring at 0800 WARMSOUTH.