Heating boost and insulation from Trust Horizon means more warm, dry homes for Eastern Bay

Trust Horizon continues to support homes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty to be warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and more energy efficient.

Trustees recently approved the allocation of $250,000 towards the installation of heating in eligible homes through the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, in addition to the Trust’s continued support for insulation installs under the scheme.

Warmer Kiwi Homes, a government scheme delivered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), improves the health and well-being of communities by offering grants for insulation and an efficient heater to homeowners who hold a Community Services Card, or whose home is in a New Zealand Deprivation Index 8, 9, or 10 area.

The EBOP programme provides one hundred per cent funded insulation and efficient heaters. Its success is, in part, thanks to community organisations like Trust Horizon providing top-ups in their rohe to make the cost of insulating and heating the home even lower, or at no cost at all.

Addressing housing conditions and energy welfare has always been a priority for Trust Horizon. In 1998, the Trust played a critical leadership role by being the first energy trust in New Zealand to apply for government funding to support the retrofitting of insulation in Eastern Bay homes.

For over 20 years, Trust Horizon has remained committed to this initiative, contributing over $11 million and insulating 11,662 homes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

“The Trust is pleased to be an instrumental part of this initiative which has been replicated across Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Trust Horizon Deputy Chairperson David Bulley.

Contributing towards the installation of energy efficient heaters through the Warmer Kiwi Homes scheme was the logical next step.

“EECA and Trust Horizon have combined resources to provide tangible benefits for the local community.  Insulation and heaters installed today will continue to provide warmth and comfort for many years to come,” says Henry Nepia, Warmer Kiwi Homes Programme Manager.

According to the interim finding from Motu’s independent study of the programme, a comprehensive set of benefits has been achieved through the installation of heat pumps in eligible New Zealand homes. The proportion of households that reported dampness in the living room or bedroom fell from 55% to 12% after having the heat pump installed, while the proportion of households that reported having restricted heating due to cost fell from 80% to 21%.

“The insulation and heater grants help to make homes warmer and healthier for whānau in the Eastern Bay of Plenty,” says Trust Horizon Chairperson, David Glover. “The scheme is making a significant difference to their quality of life, with reduced risk of respiratory illness, doctor’s visits and hospitalisations.”

Warmer Kiwi Homes are celebrating a significant milestone at Parliament on Thursday, 8 December, with the completion of 100,000 retrofit insulation and heater installations in New Zealand homes since the beginning of the scheme.

Trust Horizon Chief Executive, Derek Caudwell, will be in attendance. “We take supporting the wellbeing of the Eastern Bay region seriously, so we’re proud to partner with EECA to fund an initiative that can be transformational for health outcomes while also making homes more energy efficient and affordable to heat.”

Find out more about Trust Horizon’s energy-related community grants here.