Most Cheapies probably already know about this deal. But worth a winter reminder in case you have moved or weren't aware of it
Also posting because they are adding LED light bulbs and heat pump water heaters to the scheme. I couldn't find much hard info on that yet. It was announced in the budget this year.
Basically if you have a Community Service Card or live in an area deemed low income you will be eligible for these grants.
I had my house insulated for free, and a heavily subsidised wood burner installed. There were no income checks or anything, I was eligible because of my location. It is worth a check (or a recheck) on the eeca website to see if your address is included. Don't forget to check your other family members and friends as well. I found my parents are also in an eligible area.
Checklist for an insulation grant
- You own and live in a home built before 2008.
- You (the owner) have a Community Services Card or live in an area identified as low-income (visit the application form to check your address)
- Your home doesn't have ceiling and underfloor insulation. (If you had an insulation grant for a previous house, no worries, you can apply for a grant at your current home.)
Checklist for a heater grant
- You own and live in a home built before 2008.
- You (the owner) have a community services card or live in an area identified as low income.
- You have ceiling and underfloor insulation installed to EECA standards. If your home has been insulated through a Government insulation programme, we'll confirm it when you apply for a heater grant. Otherwise an EECA insulation provider will do a quick check — at no cost to you.
- Your home doesn't already have one of the following fixed heaters that is operational in any living area of the house: heat pump, wood or pellet burner, flued gas heater or central heating system. If your home has one of these heater types, it is not eligible for a heating grant.
What will I have to pay?
We’ve included the expected costs remaining after the grant funding below, but in many areas, community organisations offer extra funding to top up Warmer Kiwi Homes grants, which could mean you pay even less, or nothing at all. If this is available in your area, we’ll let you know when you apply.
Type | Cost |
---|---|
Insulation | In most situations, expect to pay between $280 and $800, depending on the size of the house and whether you need ceiling or underfloor insulation, or both. |
Heat pump | Expect the amount you need to pay to be $400-$700. This will depend on the size and brand of the heat pump. Heat pumps provide instant heat and |temperature control with a thermostat, and have low running costs if used properly. Your unit will be sized to heat the room it’s installed in, not the whole house. |
Wood burner | Expect the amount you pay to be $1000-$3000. The price will depend on the type of wood burner – some regions require ultra-low-emission burners, which are more expensive than low-emission burners. Wood burners require dry firewood stored in a sheltered space, ideally for at least 12 months, and have low running costs, even if you need to buy firewood. |
Pellet burner | Expect the amount you pay to be $1000-$3000. The price will depend on the type of pellet burner - some regions require ultra-low-emission burners, which are more expensive than low-emission burners. A pellet burner provides instant heat and temperature control with a thermostat. You will need to buy pellets and store them in a dry space. |
Not once you include the cost of your labour!