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Source: ONE News -
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Not everyone has been left out in the cold by the Budget with hundreds of thousands of home owners now eligible for an $1800 subsidy designed to make their castle at bit cosier.
On Thursday the government unveiled its programme to subsidise insulation for more than 180,000 chilly homes over the next four years.
It's a $300 million move the insulation industry is rapt with.
"It means that we've taken on a few more staff but also nationwide we've got nationwide partners, 18 companies throughout New Zealand and they're really keen to grow with it as well," says Cheryl Redit from CozyCool.
From July 1 owners of homes built before 2000 will be able to call in an installer approved by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) who will evaluate the home's insulation needs.
The home owner will then be provided with a quote for the fit out minus the government grant which will cover one third of the work up to $1300.
The balance can be borrowed from banks, city councils or power companies and once a home is insulated owners can apply for a further $500 to upgrade their heating.
The scheme is also available to landlords.
Mike Underhill from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says when landlords have warm flats or warm houses the tenants stay there longer.
"One of the major costs is when you change tenants over. So we think there's a good reason for them to do it," he says.
EECA says an average retro-fit costs between $6,500 and $8,500.
But installers not approved by the authority, and therefore not allowed the subsidy, say they can beat that price anyway.