28 May 2009
Media Statement

Community Energy Action Charitable Trust (CEA) applauds the budget announcement that increases funding for subsidies of insulation and heating. CEA is one of the organisations approved by the government to deliver the insulation and heating subsidy programme. CEA is especially pleased with the addition of a heating subsidy for community services card holders. However CEA warns that people should check what they need in terms of insulation and heater size to ensure they get the products that are right for them and not just for the suppliers.

“Fuel poverty, where households cannot afford to keep warm, is a reality in our community,” says Bede Martin, Chief Executive of CEA. “It is encouraging to see that the government recognizes that it needs to be addressed and continues to increase its investment in making our homes healthier and more energy efficient.”

When it comes to keeping warm, CEA advocates whole house solutions. Present subsidies focus on insulation alone. “Insulation and heating go hand in hand,” says Mr Martin. “Adding a heating grant to the insulation subsidy programme for community services card holders makes so much sense. It will make a big difference to the lives of many vulnerable people.”

People seeking information on the amount of insulation needed to keep them affordably warm and a rough indication of what heater size they will need, can check CEA’s website (www.cea.co.nz). “CEA is a charitable trust and one of our goals is to provide impartial information so people can make informed decisions about how to keep warm,” says Mr Martin. “For example we find many people who think they have ceiling insulation when in fact it has packed down so much over the years that it is virtually ineffective.”

Community Energy Action is a charitable trust working on energy solutions that are good for people and the environment. The trust, which works throughout Canterbury, aims to relieve fuel poverty in the community. It provides free and impartial information about energy efficiency on its website, runs the Curtain Bank where recycled curtains are fitted in the homes of people on low-incomes, installs ceiling and underfloor insulation, sells DIY window insulation and other energy efficiency products and runs the Canterbury Home Energy Advice Service. Proceeds from its insulation installations and sales of energy efficiency products support their community projects.

ENDS

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