Frequently asked questions
The following are some frequently asked questions regarding the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme.
Paying off your insulation or heating
About the funding
How many houses will the funding reach?
Under the programme, 188,500 homes across New Zealand will become easier and cheaper to heat - and warmer, healthier and drier as a result. The government has committed to spending $347 million over the next four years on the programme. Find out how many houses have taken up the funding so far in the latest update on numbers.
How do the insulation and heating grants work?
Insulation grant. If your house was built before 2000, you can get a third (up to $1,300) of the cost of installing ceiling and under floor insulation.
Heating grant. If/once your ceiling and underfloor insulation is up to EECA's standard, you can get $500 for a clean heating devices in your primary living area (if there isn't one there already). You can access the insulation and heating grants at the same time.
Community Services Card (CSC) holders are eligible for higher levels of funding.
You can only access the grants through approved service providers.
How do I know if my insulation is up to EECA's standard?
A service provider will come to your house and do an assessment of your insulation. You can also read more information about adequate insulation.
Can I install insulation/heating myself?
No, funding isn't available for those who wish to install insulation themselves. This is due to the need for EECA to manage the programme effectively and ensuring safety, quality and performance of the insulation and heating.
If you're keen to do DIY insulation, check out the the page on installing insulation and the download the standard on how to install insulation in residential buildings. This is a great guide to follow if you are looking at installing insulation in your property and to ensure you're getting the best performance, durability, and safety from installing insulation.
Do I have to install both ceiling and under-floor insulation?
Yes. Ceiling and under-floor insulation must be installed to get funding. You do not need to install insulation if you already have it to EECA requirements. Concrete floors and inaccessible ceiling areas do not need to be insulated.
Can I get double glazing or wall insulation?
No, the funding does not cover double glazing or wall insulation.
I've already received funding for insulation under previous schemes. Do I qualify under this scheme too?
In principle, yes. For example if you have previously received funding for ceiling insulation, you may now apply for funding for underfloor insulation.
However, note that funding is only available to bring insulation up to EECA levels of insulation. You can't get funding to insulate beyond that level.
Why is 2000 the cut-off date for eligibility?
Insulation requirements in the Building Code have increased over the years. Designating eligibility for pre-2000 houses is a way to prioritize houses that will have inferior or no existing insulation.
Is the grant including or excluding GST?
The grant includes the GST that you would have needed to pay. The grant amount that you are eligible for is calculated and removed from the total amount you would have had to pay, after GST has been added.
Can I get funding after the insulation is done?
Funding is not available for insulation work carried out prior to the programme starting.
Funding is only available through a service provider registered with the programme and if the work is quoted, applied for and completed after 1 July 2009.
Products
How do I find out what products can be funded?
There is a long list of products that are eligible for funding. Providers will be able to give you information about the right product for your needs.
The types of products covered are:
Insulation products:
- Wool
- Polyester
- Fibreglass
- Mineral fibre
- Polystyrene (but not in the ceiling)
Clean heating products:
- Approved wood burners
- Approved pellet fires.
- 4-star AGA-rated flued gas heaters. Ask your provider for a list of the gas heaters they supply.
- ENERGY STAR® heat pumps. Note that multi-split and ducted heat pump systems are not eligible for funding.
Providers use different products. If you are after a particular product you may need to call a few providers to see who installs that product.
Why are some products funded but not others?
EECA approves products for use under the programme on the basis of their performance and safety.
What are the R-values of different insulation products?
The effectiveness of insulation is measured by its thermal resistance, or R-value. The higher the R-value on an insulation product, the more it slows down the transfer of heat and is therefore more effective.
Always use the R-values of products to gauge their performance. That way you can compare different product types. Note: Reflective foils do not have an R value and aren't approved for use in the programme.
Some installers may recommend a double thickness of products, doubling its R-value. For example, an installer may recommend a double layer of a product with an R-value of R1.5, which will achieve an R-value of R3.0 once it is installed in your home. You need to take this into account when you are looking at how many square metres you have been quote for.
To find out how much insulation is required under the programme, visit the insulation section (the minimum recommended R-values for ceiling and underfloor insulation are the same as what is required under Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart).
Paying off your insulation or heating
Can I pay for it through my bank?
All main trading banks have agreed to join the government's insulation and heating scheme, and all have agreed to waive their fees for top-up loans homeowners get as part of insulation retrofits.
Exact details may differ from bank to bank, but the general way it works is that you contact your local service provider and get a quote for your insulation and / or clean heating needs. Your quote will detail the amount of government funding you are eligible for and the remaining balance. You then take that quote to your bank and discuss the options for adding it on to your existing mortgage.
Each bank operates slightly differently so talk to them about your specific circumstances.
Can I pay for it through my council rates?
EECA is working with councils on the ability to pay remaining costs through your rates bill over a period of time. The councils that offer this are listed below - you can contact these councils for more details. This information will be updated as more councils are confirmed.
- Nelson City Council ratepayers can pay off an insulation and clean heat retrofit on their rates bill provided they are in a polluted airshed and have to replace an existing non-approved burner. Note that this can only be accessed through Nelson City Council - not other service providers in the area.
- Environment Canterbury is rolling out the offer in stages. People within urban Christchurch city can already choose to pay off an insulation and clean heat retrofit on their rates bill. Since late 2009, this scheme has been extended to include Timaru, Ashburton and Kaiapoi and Rangiora. In time the offer will be extended to ratepayers in the wider Canterbury region. Note that this can only be accessed through Environment Canterbury - not other service providers in the area. Note that this can only be accessed through Environment Canterbury - not other service providers in the area.
- Hawkes Bay Regional Council clean heat and insulation funding assistance has been available since November 2009. Heat Smart Hawke's Bay allows ratepayers to repay the remaining cost of insulation over 10 years. In addition, homeowners within the Napier and Hastings airsheds wishing to upgrade an existing non-compliant woodburner or open fire can also access a one-off grant or rate repayment option. Applications are made through EECA-approved service providers. For more information, visit the Hawkes Bay Regional Council website.
- Greater Wellington Regional Council ratepayers can pay off an insulation and clean heat retrofit on their rates bill. Greater Wellington will charge a "targeted rate" on your regular rates bill over 9 years, which will include interest costs. Ratepayers can apply for up to $2600 (inc GST) towards an approved clean heat solution, in addition to the EECA funding.For more information, visit the Greater Wellington Regional Council website.
Getting the work done
How do I find someone to insulate my house?
If you want to get your house done under the programme, go to the list of Service Providers who work in your area and choose a couple of companies to give you quotes.
Talk to your Service Provider about the funding they have available and how long it will take for them to get to your house.
If you are having trouble getting an installer to contact you or respond to your initial enquiry via EECA's website, give them a call.
Questions to ask a service provider
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Which areas are you covering?
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How many square metres of product do I need?
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What products do you recommend?
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Are you using double thickness of any products?
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Why are your recommended products the best solution for my house?
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In what ways are your recommended products better than others?
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(If you have downlights or extractor fans) Have you left the right safety clearances around heat sources?
Tips for understanding your quote
A quote should clearly show the name of the product being installed, what the quantity is and the cost per square metre.The quantity of product quoted should be roughly the size of your house. The installer should explain why the product and quantity recommended is the best solution for your home.
Your quote will also show the total cost, the amount of grant funding you qualify for and the final amount you need to pay.
How do I work out if I am getting a good price?
As with any major purchase, you should shop around and get quotes from several different companies to ensure you are getting the best deal. Quotes will vary, mainly because of the price of the different insulation products each service provider uses. Make sure you are comparing like for like (see the section on this page about R-values).
The contracts EECA has with service providers ensure that all participating companies offer a good service for a reasonable price. Under the contracts, businesses must state the maximum price range they will charge consumers, and they have to stay below that level or face having their contracts terminated. EECA will, as part of the auditing process, monitor prices being charged and take action as necessary.
Consumer NZ has published a report on different insulation products and prices, which you may find helpful.
Please note that Consumer charges a fee to access some areas of the report. Download this report on the Consumer website.
There are also typical average costs for installing insulation and heating listed on the ENERGYWISE website.
What do I do if I have a complaint?
As with any services transaction, if you are unhappy with the service or product received, you should first contact the company involved to resolve the issue.
If for some reason you can't resolve an issue with your service provider, or you want an independent opinion on what you are being told, call 0800 749 782 or email info@eeca.govt.nz.
Quality and safety
How do you ensure the work is done properly?
EECA has a strict audit and checking process in place to make sure service providers follow the correct procedure and the work is done properly and safely.
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Strict installation requirements.
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Cross-checking by the service provider on every home done (through the post-installation audit).
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External auditing by EECA on a random selection of each service provider's work (between 5 and 10% of all homes done under the programme). Any issues identified have to be fixed.
If your home is randomly selected for an EECA audit, you will be contacted by an auditor 4-6 weeks after the installation to make a time at your convenience. The installer may accompany the auditor during the audit, which may take 1-2 hours. You are under no obligation to have your home audited.
What should I do if I have concerns about insulation installed in my home?
If for some reason you have any concerns or questions, the first thing you should do is contact the company that did the work for you and talk it through with them. They may be able to help you over the phone, or they may want to come to your house.
You can ask them for your ‘post installation audit' which is the document they sign off to say your home has been done properly.
Use our directory to find the contact details of service providers.
You should go back to the same company that installed the insulation because if they have not done it correctly, under the Consumer Guarantees Act they should put it right, free of charge.
If for some reason you can't resolve an issue with your service provider, or you want an independent opinion on what you are being told, call 0800 749 782 or email info@eeca.govt.nz.
What is the safety risk of incorrectly installed insulation?
Ceiling insulation that is incorrectly laid over recessed downlights, unflued extractor fans or other heat sources can cause a fire risk. There must be a gap of 150mm between any heat source and the insulation material. See the installing insulation page for more details.
Can I check my ceiling insulation myself?
EECA does not recommend you do this unless you are confident about getting into the ceiling cavity yourself. Refer to the Standards New Zealand guide for safety precautions.
If you do go up into the ceiling cavity, have a look to make sure down lights or extractor fans are not covered by insulation. There should be at least a 150mm gap between the fitting and the insulation.
If the insulation is covering the down light, move it away - which will make it safe - and call your service provider to arrange a time for them to come around and make sure the job is finished properly.
Find out more about checking your insulation.
If you want more detailed information on how insulation should be installed, refer to the Standards New Zealand guide.
What's a down light?
A down light is a light fitting that is recessed into the floor, wall or ceiling. The bulk of the light, its wiring and transformer sit out of sight behind the wall or ceiling that it is recessed into.
What's an extractor fan?
An extractor fan pulls stale air or steam away from a room and are most often found in bathrooms and kitchens.
Fans should be vented to outside of the house. An extractor fan that is vented into the ceiling space is not compliant with the New Zealand Building Code.
More information
- The Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme (EECA site)
- Additional funding for Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart
- Is your insulation adequate?
- NZ Standard on installing insulation in residential buildings NZS 4246
- Choosing and using your appliances
- Get more from your hot water
- Make your home warmer and healthier
- How to choose a heat pump and use it wisely
