24.10.2018

EECA (Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority) has announced that Community Energy Action (CEA) is their only service provider in the Canterbury region (from Ashburton through to Kaikoura) for the Government’s $142m, four year insulation and heating initiative, Warmer Kiwi Homes.

This, together with the recent launch of Environment Canterbury’s (ECan) targeted rates scheme as well – Healthier Homes Canterbury, with CEA being a registered provider, has just helped insulation become much more accessible and affordable to Cantabrians.

Eligible homeowners could receive up to 92% off the costs of insulation and installation. For those owner-occupiers whose home was built before 2008, who have a Community Services Card (CSC), or live in an area identified as lower-income (deprivation 9 or 10), they could be one step closer to a healthier home, at a much more affordable amount. Criteria applies.

To find out if your address qualifies you for the subsidy, contact CEA on 0800 GET WARM.

Healthier Homes Canterbury, ECan’s targeted rates scheme, enables eligible ratepayers in Canterbury to add the cost of home heating, insulation and/or ventilation products and installation to their rates bills. A maximum of $6,000 (including GST) is available per ratepayer.

The full amount plus interest will be paid back via their rates bills over nine years. This interest rate makes the scheme cost neutral to the rest of the community. The interest rate for those joining before 30 June 2019 is 5.9% pa and will remain fixed for the full nine years.

Caroline Shone, Chief Executive of CEA, says “It shocks me that approximately 1600 New Zealanders die each winter and these deaths are directly attributed to living in cold and damp homes. Insulation has been proven to have a huge impact helping to reduce these numbers. CEA is proud to be the only service provider for the mid-Canterbury region. We’ve been here for nearly 25 years, so we really know our area and the people that live in our community. We also know there’s still plenty more people who need help. These two new initiatives, which CEA are part of, will enable more households to get insulation and heating solutions, before the cold winter kicks in next year.”

To find out if you are eligible for a Community Services Card, contact your local Ministry of Social Development office. If you have a SuperGold card, you may also be eligible for a SuperGold ‘combo card’ – giving you the benefits of both the SuperGold and Card and the Community Services Card.

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