Receive or give home-heating support this winter

Receive support

• Contact your local regional council or unitary authority. Many offer financial assistance schemes, supporting households to heat, insulate, and/or switch to cleaner heating. They can also connect individuals with other community assistance.
• If your house is not insulated and/or does not have a form of fixed heating, then you may be eligible for the Government’s Warmer Kiwi Homes scheme that covers 90% of the cost: www.energywise.govt.nz/funding-and-support/funding-for-insulation/warmer-kiwi-homes
• Work and Income NZ may provide support for vulnerable people through the Winter Energy Payment: www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/winter-energy-payment
• SuperGold card holders may be eligible for discounts on firewood, insulation, and heat pumps: www.supergold.govt.nz/directory

 

Give support

• Donate time or money to charities that help support those in need through winter. For example, Salvation Army, Variety, KidsCan, Plunket, Auckland Foundation, curtain banks
• Gift deserving children warm pyjamas as part of the Middlemore Foundation’s Jammies in June initiative. middlemorefoundation.org.nz/jammies-in-june

 

Clean home-heating tips

• Open windows and curtains on sunny days, and close them when the sun goes down. Cut back any trees that prevent sun from warming your house.
• Burn only dry seasoned and non-treated wood. Make sure your chimney isn’t putting out smoke – get your fire going quickly, keep it burning hot, and don’t damp your fire down overnight.
• Block drafts in your home. A rolled up towel or draft snake works well under doors, and heavy, floor length curtains help for blocking cool air from windows. 
• Eating hot meals, soup and drinks is warming.
• Layer up. Make use of jumpers, blankets, and hats.
• Reduce the moisture in your home because a dry home is easier to heat. EECA has advice: www.energywise.govt.nz/at-home/dampness/