Free Home Energy Advice is a phone call away
A national network of energy trusts, the Energy Efficiency Community Network, is launching a Canterbury Home Energy
Advice Centre (HEAC) which will help people gain valuable home energy advice via an 0800 free phone line. A Christchurch
based service will join trained advisors based in Wellington and Auckland in providing impartial advice on making homes
warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. The Canterbury free phone service is targeted at all Cantabrians north of
the Rakaia until additional funding enables it to extend to other parts of the South Island. The service is being
delivered by Christchurch based charitable trust, Community Energy Action (CEA) on behalf of the national network.
“The Canterbury HEAC is part of a national roll-out which aims to provide access to home energy advice for all
householders in the country through an 0800 free phone line”, says Bede Martin, Chief Executive for CEA. “This service
is badly needed. People need help understanding their power bill, which electricity plan they should be on, or why they
are using so much electricity. Home owners are being confronted with confusing and conflicting information about heating
and insulation products. The opportunity to speak over the phone with a trained, independent advisor about their
personal situation is a key to making the best possible decisions”.
“We will help people identify practical ways to improve the comfort and health of their homes while saving money on
energy costs” he says. ”In addition to the phone service we will advise by email, carry out a Home Energy Check for a
small fee, and run free community education programmes. Our advice will be completely independent and we don’t promote
any particular brands or companies. We aim to be the first point of call for home energy advice in Canterbury.”
The initiative is funded by the Ministry for the Environment, MainPower New Zealand Limited and Community Energy Action
Charitable Trust.
Todd Mead, Commercial Manager for MainPower New Zealand Limited believes free, independent energy advice is essential to
enable homeowners and tenants to make well informed decisions about how to save energy and keep their homes warm.
“MainPower is pleased to sponsor this initiative. At MainPower we promote home energy efficiency and conservation and
we are keen that our North Canterbury and Kaikoura customers, as well as other residents in Canterbury have free access
1. calling 0800 388 588
2. emailing canterbury@energyadvice.org.nz
3. visiting the Home Energy Advice Centre website www.energyadvice.org.nz
ENDS