ENERGYWISE™ funding programme warms up NZ
The ENERGYWISE™ funding programme helps more New Zealanders live in drier, healthier homes.
The programme offers a range of options to encourage and make it easier for people to install insulation and clean heating in their homes and rental properties. By doing so, they can save energy, money on power bills and enjoy significant health benefits.
A range of energy efficiency measures and funding options are delivered via EECA’s partner organisations throughout the country. To date, ENERGYWISE™ funding has been offered to low-income earners and homeowners, and to landlords for upgrading rental properties occupied by low-income tenants. However, in the latest developments, more Kiwis look set to benefit with middle-income homeowners now being eligible for funding.
Kiwi families can enjoy the benefits
Middle-income Kiwi families can now benefit from interest subsidies or grants for insulation, clean heating and general energy efficiency measures that can help make their homes warmer and drier.
EECA’s partner organisations around the country offer different services and funding packages that are tailored to suit individual needs. These include:
• energy audits (to assess what each individual house needs)
• insulation (ceiling, underfloor and hot water cylinder insulation)
• general energy efficiency measures (pipe lagging, low-flow shower heads, efficient lightbulbs)
• installation of clean heat systems (heat pumps, modern wood and wood pellet burners or flued gas heating).
Some organisations also offer other measures such as solar water heating, which may also be eligible for a grant, as well as a range of other energy efficiency-related products and services to householders, for which ENERGYWISE™ financial assistance is not available.
Who is eligible?
Middle-income homeowners earning less than $100,000 a year (one or two earners), before tax, or $140,000 a year (three or more earners) are eligible to apply for funding, provided the property was built before 1 April 1978.
There are two options for funding:
- an interest subsidy where the government will pay the interest up to a maximum of $1,250 to support homeowners to pay off the cost of the improvements over time
- a one-off payment of 10 per cent of the cost of insulation and clean heat, up to a maximum of $500.
Packages begin with an energy audit to assess the home’s current insulation, heating and general energy efficiency, with suggestions for the most suitable and cost-effective improvements.
“The World Health Organisation recommends an indoor temperature of 18-24 degrees Celsius, yet nearly 30 per cent of New Zealand households do not even meet the minimum indoor temperature of 16 degrees Celsius,” explains Katie Mathison, EECA’s Manager Residential. “There’s no reason why Kiwi families should be living in cold homes.”
“The ENERGYWISE™ funding programme now provides the opportunity for more homeowners to insulate and install energy efficient measures that can reap immediate and wider long-term benefits – making it a worthwhile investment. They’ll get to enjoy a more comfortable living environment, as well as profit from potential savings on their power bill and health, with less days off work and school due to illnesses that come from living in cold, damp and unhealthy properties.”
Currently, funding is only available through these ENERGYWISE™ partners:
- Air Lana – Terra Lana and AirCon NZ – Nelson to South Otago, Hawke’s Bay
- Community Energy Action Trust – Christchurch, wider Canterbury
- Eco Insulation – central Auckland, Wellington, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Northland, Coromandel
- Energy Mad Ltd – North Canterbury, South Canterbury, Tasman, Waipara
- Energy Options – Eastern Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Rotorua, Tokoroa, Taupo, Poverty Bay, Hawke’s Bay, Blenheim, Picton
- EnergySmart Ltd – Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu/Tararua, Kapiti, Horowhenua, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, South Canterbury, Otago, Southland
- Environment Canterbury – Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Ashburton, Timaru
- Huntly Energy Efficiency Trust – South Auckland, greater Waikato, King Country
- Insinc Home Solutions Ltd – Auckland – Bombay Hills to Whangaporoa
- J H Brewster Ltd – Papakura, Pukekohe, North Waikato
- Nelson City Council – urban Nelson
- Sustainability Trust – Wellington and Porirua City
- Switch - Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury
For further details on ENERGYWISE™ funding, projects and partnerships in your area call 0800 749 782.
