24 Sep 2018

Canterbury homeowners can now get a $6000 rates advance from Environment Canterbury to pay for home heating, insulation and ventilation improvements.

The regional council has begun accepting applications to the Healthier Homes Canterbury scheme.

A couple add wood to their woodburner.

Loans are now available for people wanting to upgrade their home heating and ventilation.

Through the scheme eligible ratepayers can apply for an advance of up to $6000 for heating, insulation and ventilation improvements and pay it back through their rates bills over nine years with interest.

The interest rate for those joining before July 2019 is fixed at 5.9 per cent a year.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer this option and help Cantabrians make their homes warmer, drier and healthier. One of our roles as a regional council is to ensure the air we breathe supports health and wellbeing, so helping people upgrade to cleaner heating technology is vital to that,’’ says ECan Deputy Chair Peter Scott.

“Some households are working towards switching to a modern burner or heat source that meets more stringent emissions standards than their older burner. Others don’t have insulation or ventilation to keep their home warm and dry,” Mr Scott says.

“We know these upgrades can be costly. Not everyone is eligible for a subsidy, and not everyone has the money to pay upfront or loan money from a bank or retailer. Healthier Homes Canterbury provides an option for these people,” he says.

Find out more and apply for a loan.