15 October 2009
Media Statement

Home insulation standards slipping?

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee urgently needs to get on top of his portfolio and clarify whether the standards approved providers, must meet, under the Warm-Up New Zealand scheme have been lowered or not, Labour’s Associate Energy spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“Today in Parliament Gerry Brownlee denied that home insulation standards have been lowered. So why have providers been told that homes previously fitted with foil under-floor insulation, should have the foil repaired rather than replaced?

“Foil under-floor insulation has been shown to be far less effective than other products such as polystyrene,” Chris Hipkins said.

“The Government’s directive that the foil be repaired rather than replaced can only be driven by a desire to insulate more homes to a lower standard for the same amount of money.

“This kind of penny-pinching is incredibly short-sighted. It makes no sense to subsidise heat pumps for homes that will lose much of the extra heat because of poor insulation.

“It could also lead to homeowners attempting to remove the foil themselves before seeking new insulation.

“Gerry Brownlee keeps trying to blunder his way through by denying what is actually going on. He needs to get to grips with the detail,” Chris Hipkins said.

ENDS

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