Over 20 homes in Waimea Village are going to be a lot warmer this winter thanks to free insulation installs.
The insulations are due to the Warmer Healthier Homes (WHH) programme and Absolute Energy.
“We help meet the shortfall between the government provided grant and the full cost for local families,” says Warmer Healthier Homes, chairman Leeson Baldey.
A government programme covers 90 per cent of the costs but that still leaves a shortfall out of the reach of some homeowners. Local organisation, WHH was set up to meet that shortfall.
The involvement of TDC has meant WHH have been able to provide insulation for 141 homes in the region. That’s 106 more homes than in the previous 12 months.
“For every $100 TDC provides there’s another $900 from the government grant coming into the region,” says Leeson. It’s more than insulation it’s better health and lower hospital admissions, he says.
“The guys went out of their way, even digging a trench under the house, to make sure it was completely insulated and all at nil cost to me,” says Waimea Village resident, John Borley.
“A little bit of ratepayers funding has a benefit that goes a long way,” says Richmond councillor, Kit Maling.