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.