Of the 2650 residential units owned by the Christchurch City Council, approximately 2200 are occupied by elderly people. The housing was constructed between 1939 and 2000, with an average age of 30 years. The building codes stipulated at the time were adhered to, but these involved minimal or no insulation.
The Council recognised the dilemma of the elderly people occupying these units and took corrective action.
A comprehensive audit of all the units was undertaken to establish what action should and could be taken.. The standard used was that of the latest Building Code. Using this audit, the council began to install, where appropriate:
- thermal insulation in the ceiling
- thermal insulation under the floors
- hot water cylinder blankets
- weather stripping doors and windows
- a compact fluorescent lamp in each flat.
Improving the insulation of the units has increased the average temperature of the units and decreased tenants heating costs. Council and the Government Energy Saver Fund administered by the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) funded the project.
Council benefits from this capital expenditure not only in terms of substantially improving the living standards of its residents, but also from a lower turn-over of tenants in the housing. As the tenants are responsible for their own electricity accounts, the tenants benefit from any cost reductions achieved.
The Christchurch City Council hopes that, by leading by example, the project will also encourage other landlords in the city to take similar action to improve the living conditions and carbon footprint of their property.
Heat loss areas in older houses include:
- open fire (the open flue causes a constant draught)
- unlined or no curtains
- lack of pelmets over the windows
- over supply of fresh air
- gaps around windows and doors
- lack of or insufficient insulation in the roof
- lack of or insufficient insulation under the floor
- lack of or insufficient insulation in the walls
- uninsulated hot water cylinder.
The benefits of the project
- adecrease in heating costs to tenants
- areduction in electricity use to the benefit of the tenants.
- a reduction in turn over of tenants and thus in costs to the City Council
- partnership with government agencies
- aproject with on-going benefits to any tenant of the upgraded units
- decreased medical costs to the government through improved health in elderly residents or those with compromised health.
Things to consider for your home
- Is there insulation in the roof space that covers the entire ceiling and is it thick enough to insulate the home?
- Is the house built on ground that stays damp year round? Should plastic sheeting be laid down?
- Is there underfloor insulation in the floor space?
- Is there a thermal blanket around the hot water cylinder?
- Are the curtains thermally lined?
- Is there heat loss through gaps in the window frames?
- Are there drafts under the doors and may they be easily sealed?
- What subsidies are there available to assist the homeowner to undertake these improvements?
- Do I know an elderly person that may benefit from the application of these ideas?
