How to get cheap home insulation - government funding, council rates loans, repayment plans
Published 28 February 2018
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Homeowners are getting ready for a warm winter with new, low-cost home insulation. “My house was freezing last year,” says Nora, a retiree from Seatoun. “When I found out I could get government funding to pay for half of it, and then put the rest on my rates, it was a blessed relief!”
Like many people, Nora can get 50% funding to pay for insulation because she has a Community Services Card. As a ratepayer, she was also able to get the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s rates loan scheme to pay for the rest of it. “That was the benefit for me. No lump sum.”
Insulation is the number one solution to improve home health, warmth and comfort. Good quality and well-fitted insulation will keep your home warm and energy efficient for years.
For just a few more months, until June 2018, government funding will pay 50% towards ceiling and underfloor insulation in eligible properties. That’s around $1,250 on average, via the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes insulation programme.
Homeowners can also get insulation loans of up to $3,900, put onto their Greater Wellington Regional Council property rates. Repayable over up to nine years with seven percent interest, this scheme means smaller, regular payments instead of large up-front costs.
Read on for how to get cheap insulation in your property.
Natalie from Upper Hutt encourages everyone who can: “Go for it! It’s such a straightforward process. The paperwork was really easy. The funding meant I could get insulation - I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. It only took a few weeks to get it confirmed, and I don’t have to pay anything until my next rates bill.”
Dawn, from Lower Hutt, used the funding and GWRC rates loan scheme to get the full works – ceiling insulation, underfloor insulation and a ground vapour barrier. “It was such an easy process. The assessor and the council helped with the forms. It was very easy and I’m so glad I’ve done it.”
Check if you and your property are eligible for 50% funding:
The property was built before 2000 and the homeowner or a named tenant has a Community Service Card: the property can definitely get the funding. Many people - from students to single parents, part-time workers to families - are eligible for Community Services Cards - check out the thresholds here.
The property was built before 2000, the homeowner or a named tenant is on a low-medium income, and someone in the home has a respiratory health condition: the property may be eligible for the funding.
Check if you and your property are eligible for Greater Wellington Regional Council rates loan for insulation:
The property is within the Greater Wellington Region.
The property was built before 2000 and the rates payments are up to date
How much does it cost?
These figures are a guide, based on a home insulation quote of $2,500.
Example 1: If you get 50% government funding ($1,250) and put the other 50% ($1,250) on your GWRC property rates:
No upfront costs
Your first payment will be added to your next financial year rates bill
A GWRC loan of $1,250 is about $4/week for nine years
Example 2: If you put 100% ($2,500) onto your property rates:
No upfront costs
Your first payment will be added to your next financial year rates bill
A GWRC loan of $2,500 is about $7.50/week for nine years
Example 3: If you get 50% government funding ($1,250) and put the other 50% ($1,250) on Sustainability Trust’s 0% interest repayment plan:
50% deposit to Sustainability Trust: $625
Your first payment will be on your next month’s payment plan
A Sustainability Trust loan of $625 is about $12/week for 12 months
Example 4: If you put 100% ($2,500) on Sustainability Trust’s 0% interest repayment plan:
50% deposit to Sustainability Trust: $1,250
Your first payment will be on your next month’s payment plan
A Sustainability Trust loan of $1,250 is about $24/week for 12 months
What is the process to get government funding?
Book a home assessment. A friendly home energy assessor will visit your home to check the current ceiling and underfloor insulation, and what you may need to make it warm and energy-efficient.
If your home needs new insulation your assessor will measure up and provide a quote. There’s no obligation to buy.
The government funding is for what your home needs – if it needs both the ceiling and underfloor insulation, both must be installed to get the funding.
The tenant and/or homeowner need to fill out a funding application form.
If the tenant/homeowner is a Community Services Card holder, a Sustainability Trust staff member needs to see the card.
If the tenant/homeowner is not a Community Services Card holder but is on a low-income, they will need to get:
a letter from Work & Income New Zealand to confirm their income level; and
a letter from a GP to confirm that someone in the house has a respiratory health condition.
After sending off the paperwork it takes around 1-2 weeks to get confirmation of 50% funding.
We book the install date when the remaining 50% has been paid / a payment plan set up.
What is the process to get the rates loan scheme?
The homeowner must fill out and send off a GWRC rates loan scheme application form.
After 1-2 weeks the funding will be granted and we can book the insulation install date – currently around ten days.
GWRC will write to the homeowner with a new rates payment plan for the next financial year, including the loan payments.
What is the process to get Sustainability Trust's 0% interest repayment plan?
The homeowner and our finance department discuss details.
The homeowner pays a 50% deposit and sends us a completed payment plan agreement.
We book the install date – currently around ten days.
The homeowner pays a monthly / lump-sum payment until the loan is repaid in full.
What are you waiting for?
The paperwork is easy, it’s fast to install and guaranteed to keep your household healthier and more comfortable.
Contact us today: 0508 78 78 24 option 1.