MEDIA RELEASE

22 November 2012

ORC Clean Heat programme still has heating appliance subsidy

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) advises that it still has Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) funding for its Clean Heat Clean Air appliance replacement programme.

The Dunedin City Council recently announced that it was unable to offer EECA funding for replacement heating appliances under its Dunedin Healthy Homes Clean Heat scheme.

However, this was not the case with the ORC scheme, director regional services Jeff Donaldson said. The ORC scheme still had EECA support to assist in replacing non-compliant Otago heating appliances.

More than 1000 heating appliances have been replaced since the ORC programme began in 2005.

Residents in the Air Zone 1 towns (Alexandra, Arrowtown, Clyde, and Cromwell), plus those in the Air Zone 2 areas of Milton, Mosgiel, and Dunedin are eligible to apply for a subsidised compliant heating appliance replacement provided they have a non-compliant appliance which they agree to have decommissioned or removed by ORC contractors and the homes ceiling and underfloor insulation complies with the National Building Standard.

Fires with an emissions rating of less than 1.5g/kg, which are listed on the Ministry for the Environment list of authorised appliances, and which were installed before 14 April 2007 will be compliant.

Mr Donaldson said low income people those who have a current Community Services Card, and who own and live in their home receive a subsidy of $2,000 - $3000 for the removal of the old heating appliance and the installation of the new clean one.

Those without a Community Services Card including rentals and holiday homes can apply for $1,000 - $2,000 off the cost of the removal of the old fire and installation of a new heating appliance.

This level of subsidy is available through the support of Aurora Energy, the Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust of Otago, and the Clutha District Council.

Old fires can be replaced with an applicant’s choice of a new heat pump, pellet fire, gas heater, or woodburner.

Mr Donaldson said, “A well-insulated and heated home makes an amazing difference to the quality of life for its owners.”

More information about the Clean Heat Clean Air programme is available on the ORC website www.orc.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 474 082.
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