Buying guide

Warmer Kiwi Homes: How to get the insulation & heat pump grant

Get financial help to make your home warmer & healthier

If your home isn’t insulated and/or doesn’t have heating you may be eligible for the Warmer Kiwi Homes Grant. This government subsidy is designed to help eligible homeowners with the cost of keeping their homes warm and healthy.

Otherwise known as the NZ insulation grant, or the heat pump subsidy, the grant is easy to apply for and available throughout the country.

What is the Warmer Kiwi Homes Subsidy?

The Warmer Kiwi Homes Grant covers up to 90% of the cost to purchase and install insulation and up to 80% of the cost to purchase and install an energy efficient heater. It’s provided by a government organisation called the Energy Efficiency Efficient and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Heat pump & insulation grants NZ eligibility rules

The Warmer Kiwi Homes Grant isn’t available to everyone – you’ll need to tick a few boxes to get it:

You must be the owner occupier of the home. No investment properties, baches or second homes are eligible.

Your home must be built before 2008. If you’re not sure when your home was built jump on Homes.co.nz and search your address. Scroll down to the ‘council records’ section and check the ‘decade built’. If that doesn’t work, contact your local council or search their online documents.

You must have a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo Card.

If you don’t have one of the above cards, you must live in a low income area. You can check whether your area qualifies as low income by using this EECA eligibility tool.

To be eligible for the insulation grant

Your home mustn't have ceiling or underfloor insulation and you must meet all other eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for the heater subsidy

Your home must have floor and ceiling insulation installed to EECA standards and you must not have a heat pump, wood or pellet burner, flued gas heater, or central heating system in any living area. You must also meet all other eligibility criteria.

Insulation isn't cheap, but these grants may help

How does the process work?

1. Check your eligibility

Check your eligibility using this EECA eligibility tool. Pop in a few details, including heating and insulation descriptions and contact details, then choose insulation and heating providers in your area.

2. The providers will contact you

The providers you selected will contact you to arrange a free, no obligation quote. They might pop round to measure up before sending through the quotation. The quote should indicate how much you’ll need to pay over and above the Warmer Kiwi Homes Grant amount.

3. Install

Your chosen provider will arrange a time to visit your home and install your heat pump or insulation. You may need to sign a contract and pay the extra amount to them directly.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is general in nature. While facts have been checked, the article does not constitute an advice service. The article is only intended to provide general information about government assistance for insulation and heating. Nothing in this article constitutes a recommendation that any type of property is suitable for any specific person. We cannot assess anything about your personal circumstances, your finances, or your goals and objectives, all of which are unique to you. Before making decisions about property, we highly recommend you seek professional advice.

Author

Ben Tutty

Ben Tutty is a regular contributor for Trade Me and he's also contributed to Stuff and the Informed Investor. He's got 10+ years experience as both a journalist and website copywriter, specialising in real estate, finance and tourism. Ben lives in Wānaka with his partner and his best mate (Finnegan the whippet).