KEY POINTS:
As many as a third of New Zealand homes are below the World Health Organisation's recommended temperature, according to a report released today.
The report says the average indoor temperature of many New Zealand homes is below the 18C mark.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Morgan Williams said: "Many of these homes are occupied by low income groups and by the elderly and children, who are particularly susceptible to the effects of cold, damp houses."
His report has painted a sorry picture of New Zealand homes, saying many are not designed for warmth and comfort, are uninsulated and are heated inappropriately.
He is calling for the unflued gas heaters used in around 44 per cent of households to be phased out.
Dr Williams has recommended the minister of consumer affairs introduce a regulation to "promptly" lead to their eradication.
The recommendation is made in the commissioner's "Healthy, wealthy and wise" report.
A survey of 400 households had shown that 11 per cent used open fires - which were "particularly inefficient" - and 44 per cent had an LPG heater.
Unflued gas heaters were relatively cheap to buy but were more expensive to run.
"They emit carbon monoxide and water vapour, both of which contribute to unhealthy indoor air quality, dampness, and mould," Dr Williams said.
"If the house is poorly ventilated, these problems are compounded. The impacts can be particularly severe on children, pregnant women, elderly people and those with asthma or heart conditions."
Rooms with unflued gas heaters should be ventilated but many people, perhaps unaware of the health risks, wondered why one should have a window open and the heater running at the same time, the report said.
Solid fuel burners were used in 52 per cent of households, it said.
However, a poverty support group said banning unflued gas heaters would only add to the cost of heating a home and staying warm for people on low-incomes.
Wellington City Mission community services manager Kathy Loveday said many low-income people lived in rental homes which were badly insulated and if the unflued gas heaters were banned people would be forced to use electricity which cost more.
"Our foodbank demand has escalated considerably because they will forgo the food in order to pay the higher power bill.
"Our clients do not have any spare cash anywhere to change or upgrade where they're at - so who is going to cover that cost?"
- NZPA
