New home insulation options

Bay of Plenty people are being urged to take up the opportunity to insulate their houses for as little as $7 a week, thanks to funding options now available.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority said 10,713 Bay of Plenty households had already benefited from the Government's home insulation and energy efficiency programme, Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart.

However, on a population basis, only 11.1 per cent of Bay of Plenty dwellings had been retrofitted, well behind Gisborne which had the highest uptake on 20.7 per cent.

EECA's residential manager Robert Linterman said those thinking about getting insulation should get in before the winter rush.

Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart offers 33 per cent off the cost of insulation, up to $1300.

The funding was available for all homeowners, regardless of income, whose homes were built before 2000.

The Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart scheme had insulated almost 150,000 New Zealand homes in three years.

To find a local provider and to find out about a mortgage top-up option through your bank, visit www.energywise.govt.nz.