Warm Homes Project

Introduction

New Zealand has clean air most of the time in most places. However, there are some problems in some areas. Air pollution causes a range of significant health problems, including respiratory diseases, asthma attacks, reduced immunity and even premature deaths. Many of these problems are preventable.

Most of our air pollution comes from domestic heating. Domestic solid fuel burners are the main source of fine particles in most urban areas. That is why it is important for New Zealand families to install clean and efficient heating to make their homes healthier. Insulation also plays an important part in this.

To investigate how New Zealanders could reduce the pollution effects of home heating while staying warm, the Ministry for the Environment worked with a range of central and local government agencies on the Warm Homes project.

The main outcome of the project was the development of the clean heat programme that is being run by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). Under this programme eligible homes can have subsidised clean and efficient heaters installed.

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Last updated: 25 November 2008