Insulation
EECA's Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes Rental Programme insulation scheme provides free ceiling and underfloor insulation for renters who have Community Services Cards. Eligible properties will be built before 2000 and occupied by a main tenant with a Community Services Card. There is a 50% subsidy from government and local funders; the landlord is responsible for the remaining 50% costs. Click here to learn more, or contact Cosy Homes to see if you qualify.
What's an R-value, anyway? EECA has more about insulation basics, including different types and how to install them yourself or find someone who does at their Energywise website.
Warm Dunedin Scheme
The Dunedin City Council's Warm Dunedin targeted rates programme allows residents in good standing with the rates department to spread out the costs of floor/ceiling insulation and/or clean heating appliances over 10 years via their rates payments. This could be a great option for those who don't qualify for the EECA insulation programme, or who still want to take advantage of reasonable financing to heat their homes efficiently. Click here for more information and examples of payments.
Windows & Curtains
If you have wooden window frames and can operate scissors, you can help stop heat loss with DIY window insulation kits. They are easy to use and widely available at retail outlets like Bunnings and Mitre 10.
Good curtains and blinds can reduce heat loss through windows by 60% for single glazed windows. Energywise has some curtain and blinds checklists to help you make the most of this low-cost measure.
The Dunedin Curtain Bank distributes free, custom fitted, thermally-lined curtains to Community Services Cardholders and others in need. Have unwanted curtains to donate? Get in touch with them at 03 425 9678 or info@dunedincurtainbank.org.nz
Good curtains and blinds can reduce heat loss through windows by 60% for single glazed windows. Energywise has some curtain and blinds checklists to help you make the most of this low-cost measure.
The Dunedin Curtain Bank distributes free, custom fitted, thermally-lined curtains to Community Services Cardholders and others in need. Have unwanted curtains to donate? Get in touch with them at 03 425 9678 or info@dunedincurtainbank.org.nz
Home Performance
Want to know how your home is performing in terms of warmth, dryness and energy efficiency, and what steps you can take to improve it? Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust offers a Home Performance Assessment service that can tell you exactly that. They have several options to choose from, including a free extension to a standard Assessment that analyses your carbon footprint and how to reduce it.
Live in the Northeast Valley in Dunedin? Was your house built before 2000? Is there someone under 17 or over 65 in your household? You could qualify for a free Home Performance Assessment! Get in touch with BRCT at 03 482 2048 or by email to office@brct.org.nz
Live in the Northeast Valley in Dunedin? Was your house built before 2000? Is there someone under 17 or over 65 in your household? You could qualify for a free Home Performance Assessment! Get in touch with BRCT at 03 482 2048 or by email to office@brct.org.nz
Rental Ratings
Dunedin has two online resources that show ratings for rental properties, including criteria for heat and insulation.
The University of Otago's Student Tenancy Accommodation Rating scheme, or STARS, allows property owners to self-rate based on specific criteria, then STARS auditors randomly visit properties to ensure the ratings are accurate. Check out the ratings here.
Rate My Flat allows former or current residents to score their flats in a number of categories, including warmth. View the ratings or rate your flat on their website.
The University of Otago's Student Tenancy Accommodation Rating scheme, or STARS, allows property owners to self-rate based on specific criteria, then STARS auditors randomly visit properties to ensure the ratings are accurate. Check out the ratings here.
Rate My Flat allows former or current residents to score their flats in a number of categories, including warmth. View the ratings or rate your flat on their website.