29 February 2012

Creating drier, warmer Dunedin homes

The Otago Regional Council (ORC), in conjunction with the Dunedin City Council (DCC), is managing the installation of new insulation and clean heating appliances in 100 Dunedin homes.

With winter just around the corner, the councils are keen to get applications for their Clean Heat Healthy Homes project, which has just received approved Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) funding.

The ORC, DCC, Aurora Energy, Otago Community Trust, and EECA are the five scheme funders.

More than 2000 Otago homes have received new insulation under the programme, which has also led to nearly 700 heating appliances replaced since 2007.

ORC group manager regional services Jeff Donaldson said, “A well insulated and heated home makes an amazing difference to the quality of life of its owners.”

DCC chief executive Paul Orders said; “It is great that the DCC can be involved in initiatives such as this, and in the process, have a positive effect on the lives of Dunedin residents.”

To qualify for the scheme, applicants must own their own home within the greater Dunedin city boundaries, and have a Community Services Card. Priority for assistance is given to those who are high users of the health system.

Application forms will be available from DCC and ORC offices from the start of March. At this stage, the programme runs until the end of June.

ENDS

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