Insulation ahead of target
August 21, 2009
More than 240 Hawke’s Bay homes were fitted out under the Government’s home insulation package in the first month of the scheme.
Figures collated by EECA show that 3282 homes throughout the country were retrofitted inn the first four weeks of the Warm-Up New Zealand Heat Smart scheme that started on 1 July.
The 245 Hawke’s Bay homes make up 7.5 per cent of the total.
Tukituki MP Craig Foss says the scheme has exceeded expectations in its first month and the figures for Hawke’s Bay show a good start to the scheme.
“This is very positive. The Government set a target of insulating 27,500 houses in the first year and this start-up month indicates we will easily achieve that,” said Mr Foss
Napier MP Chris Tremain has already viewed first hand properties that have had insulation installed. He said ‘It was great to be able to visit a couple of properties being retrofitted in Maraenui. I’m sure these residents will now have warmer and drier homes.”
The EECA figures show that 2519 homes received insulation only, 255 received insulation and a clean heat appliance, and 508 just a clean heating device.
Community Service Card holders owned 1983 (60 per cent) of the homes while 1299 of the houses were owned by people on general income.
“This has been achieved in just the early roll-out stage and before contracts have been signed to bring on even more service providers,” says Napier MP Chris Tremain says.
EECA has recently opened applications for new service providers and is now processing the 249 applications it received.
“New providers will be operational from 1 October, which will herald a serious step-up in insulation work,” says Mr Tremain.
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says he is aware of suggestions that the government grants have inflated prices, “although the advice I’ve received from EECA is that there is no indication of a widespread problem.
“And it is important to make the point that the scheme is designed to make sure there is no price gouging. For example, the new contracts given to providers from 1 October will ensure that only service providers offering the best prices and quality standards are selected to deliver the programme.”
The applications allow EECA to gauge the appropriate market prices and to only enter into contracts with service providers who will offer acceptable prices.
“It also means once contracts are signed, service providers cannot increase their pricing without negotiating with EECA. There is also an auditing process undertaken by EECA which will monitor prices being charged and take the action of cancelling service provider contracts if necessary,” Mr Brownlee says.
