Keeping warm in winter with ENERGYWISE™
Home » The Good Guide » Heating & Insulation » Heating & Insulation » Insulation grantsInsulating your home has never been easier
When Wellington-based advertising account manager Jen Adamson bought a classic Kiwi cottage with a plan to renovate and turn it into a rental property, she knew she was in for a steep learning curve.
“I learnt many new skills such as plastering and floor sanding ... and when to admit defeat! I discovered a lovely cobblestone driveway under a few years’ worth of weeds, and that I’m pretty lousy at sawing in a straight line,” says Jen.
Besides its architecture, the property in a Wellington suburb had some unfortunate classic Kiwi features: it was cold and damp from a lack of insulation and inefficient heating systems. Jen learned this the hard way.
“I discovered it’s supremely difficult to live in a house that you're renovating, although I did keep warm by spending evenings stripping off over 50 years’ worth of wallpaper!”
Jen knew if she was going to turn the house into a warm and comfortable place for prospective tenants, insulation had to be a priority. But the other challenge Jen faced was how to complete her dream project within her budget.
Jen used cream-coloured thermal-lined curtains in all the rooms, which she scored for just $100 on Trade Me. She also saved some cash on her home’s insulation, because she qualified for an insulation grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) under its ENERGYWISE™ programme.
It's now just over a year since Jen completed the renovation of her cottage. She’s proud of her hard work and the results, and that her tenants are now enjoying a warmer, drier home thanks to the financial support she received from EECA for insulation.
“About 375,000 New Zealand homes have insufficient ceiling insulation and more than one million New Zealand homes have no, or inadequate, underfloor insulation”
As New Zealand moves into winter and the recession continues to bite—along with the wind—EECA is going all-out to remind New Zealanders about the government financial assistance available for home insulation and energy efficient heating systems. This can help keep homes warm and dry, and energy bills down.
Chief executive of EECA, Mike Underhill, says statistics show there are nearly 900,000 homes with either no insulation or very poor insulation in New Zealand.
“In New Zealand, a third of homes are rental properties. More than quarter of these are occupied by people on a low income. Many of these homes have substandard insulation, and often have inadequate or inefficient heating, such as an open fire.”
“The numbers alone are compelling. But what should be more compelling to those still wondering whether they should insulate their homes is the damp, cold conditions they will be coming home to this winter.”
Mike says there is a direct correlation between New Zealand statistics for insufficient insulation in houses and the incidence of respiratory illness, especially in low-income homes.
“About 375,000 New Zealand homes have insufficient ceiling insulation and more than one million New Zealand homes have no, or inadequate, underfloor insulation.”
“Considering this, it is no coincidence that we have such high rates of respiratory illness, especially among children. During winter the temperatures of living areas and bedrooms of many New Zealand houses are well below the World Health Organization suggested minimum of 18°C.”
Mike says 14 percent of children between two and 14 years old, and 11 percent of all New Zealanders aged 15 years or older, have been diagnosed or had symptoms consistent with asthma.
“These are some of the highest rates in the world, and it is one of the reasons that we can give priority funding to families with health problems, such as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. If you’re eligible, your home will be assessed. If accepted for financial support, then installation of insulation and/or energy efficient heating will be arranged and completed for you.”
Mike says lack of insulation will not only increase the likelihood of family members suffering respiratory ailments due to cold and damp, but also increase their energy bill.
“With efficient insulation, your home will be easier and cheaper to heat, meaning you won’t need to spend as much on heating as you would without insulation. The difference can be savings of up to 40 percent on your energy bill.”
“Although the recession is still biting, this funding offers a real incentive for New Zealanders to invest in an energy-efficient home. If you are still thinking about how to stay warm as well as save money on energy bills this winter, EECA has a solution.”
