Independent advice on Kiwis' energy decisions

Independent advice centre helps kiwis make wise energy decisions

Recent media reports have drawn attention to the impact of insulation and efficient heating on the comfort and energy efficiency of New Zealand homes. The Home Energy Advice Centre (HEAC) supports the government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart scheme and the difference it makes to New Zealand homes and encourages people to take up the subsidies.

“Reducing heat loss with insulation and warming up your home with an efficient heater are really crucial first steps to improving the energy efficiency of any home” says Energy Efficiency Community Network (EECN) Executive Officer Sally Blackwell.

“Beyond that, there are lots of other steps people can take to make their homes more comfortable and cheaper to run. Sometimes people don’t know what their next priorities should be, are confused by conflicting information or are worried about their budgets – the HEAC can help people find solutions that are appropriate for them”.

Helen from Christchurch contacted the Canterbury HEAC because she was confused about the range of heating options on the market and which would best meet their needs and budget “you [HEAC] have given us a clear idea of our options and the advantages/disadvantages of each. Our original plan of only installing a night store appears to be inadequate and may be disappointing at best. It is good to have someone point this out to us and at least we know before investing money into something that may be insufficient”.

The Home Energy Advice Centres are run by EECN, a registered Charitable Trust, and offer independent, impartial advice from trained energy advisors. The service offers a free phone service in Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury and also offers email and web-based advice outside those areas. People can contact their nearest Home Energy Advice Centre by calling 0800 388 588 or through the website www.energyadvice.org.nz.

ENDS

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