Insulation subsidies prove hot

The scheme's target is 188,500 homes. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Almost 26,000 New Zealand houses have been warmed up in the first half-year of the new Government scheme.

That is just short of the annual target, yet achieved in only six months.

A spokeswoman for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) said the Warm Up New Zealand Heat Smart campaign had been enormously popular.

She released figures to the Herald showing 25,884 homes were done from July to December - 23,096 with insulation installed and 2788 with heaters or a heat pump fitted.

The Government had a target of 27,500 houses a year but the latest figures show the scheme is more of a favourite than expected.

The spokeswoman said people seemed to have lost much of the impetus during summer. December saw much lower demand than previous months but that was a normal pattern with people away on holiday.

The figures showed landlords have an appetite for the scheme with rental properties being warmed up.

The programme's target is to make 188,500 homes easier and cheaper to heat, and warmer, healthier and drier as a result.

The Government has pledged to spend $347 million during four years. Houses built before 2000 are eligible.

EECA said previous state funding for insulation was targeted at low and middle-income households only but this fund was available to New Zealanders on any income.

"Insulation schemes have been in place since 1996, and during that time around 57,000 homes have been retrofitted. This programme plans to complete more than 188,500 homes over four years, or around a fifth of the 900,000 homes estimated to have substandard insulation," EECA said.

Insulation products being used are wool, polyester, fibreglass, mineral fibre and polystyrene.

EECA has a special link on its website for people with safety concerns, after Australian house fires caused by wrongly installed insulation.

It is telling people with concerns to go back to their energy provider.

"Ceiling insulation that is incorrectly laid over recessed downlights, unflued extractor fans or other heat sources can cause a fire risk."