Heat pump subsidy scrapped

Chief executive Mike Underhill said the priority for the next 12 months was to insulate as many homes as possible.

Latest Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart figures released today show 180,000 homes have been insulated to the end of August, including 7088 homes insulated in August alone.  The scheme offers a 33% subsidy, up to $1300, on the cost of insulation - or 60% if the tenant or home owner has a Community Services Card.

 Underhill said service providers were likely to use up their heating subsidy allocation by the end of September. After that, there would be no further subsidy available.

He said:  “EECA has funded nearly 40,000 efficient heaters - heat pumps, wood and pellet burners, and gas heaters - since the programme began in July 2009. As the biggest benefits from the programme come from insulating houses, the majority of the remaining funding allocation is being focused on insulation grants from now on. Focusing on insulation represents the best use of government funding, and the biggest benefit for the homeowners.”

Funding would still be available for replacing inefficient wood burners or open fires in areas of poor air quality (Clean Air Grants).