10 September 2018
Put the cost of home insulation or a heat pump on your rates as part of South Taranaki District Council’s Warmer Homes Scheme.
Smart Energy Solutions are proud to be an approved provider in the South Taranaki District Council’s Warmer Homes Scheme which lets you get home insulation or a clean heat such as a heat pump, and pay them off via a targeted rate on your rates bill over up to 9 years.
The programme aims to make South Taranaki homes warmer and healthier by offering an easy finance option for home insulation and heating. We can also let you know what insulation subsidies and other finance options are available.
Why Insulate?
Insulation keeps your home warmer and drier and can lower your power bills. Insulation creates a barrier to reduce heat escaping your home during winter - this can lower your energy bills. Even more importantly a study by the Wellington School of Medicine & Health Sciences* confirmed that people who live in insulated homes are healthier.
How much funding is available?
There is up to $3,900 (inc GST) of funding support for insulation OR up to $5,000 for clean heat (eg heat pumps) for ratepayers under the Scheme (as long as your insulation is up to standard). A $200 admin fee will be added to each application but may be paid off as part of loan. To be eligible for the Home Energy Scheme funding you must submit a complete application form and:
- You must be a South Taranaki District Council ratepayer for the property to be insulated
- Your home must have been built before 2000 (for insulation only)
- You must be up to date with payments on your rates
- You must have a quote from a STDC approved insulation provider such as us!
- Your home must be insulated to apply for finance for the heat pump
We are an approved provider under this council scheme and we can also give you obligation free quotes on ventilation, LED lighting, hot water management systems and other energy efficiency products. Only insulation and clean heating can be paid of on your rates however.
How is the funding repaid?
The funding is repaid through your regular rates bill and is itemised as a "targeted rate". The repayments are over a period of 9 years and you can make additional repayments if you wish to pay it off earlier.
If you sell your house before fully paying off the financial assistance you are legally required to disclose the existence of the targeted rate to potential buyers. Alternatively you can pay the outstanding amount off in full prior to selling.
What is the interest rate?
The targeted rate is interest bearing to cover the council’s costs. The current interest rate is 7% per annum and is reviewed annually. Insulation of up to $3,900 would have an approximate repayment of $48 per month. Read more or book a free home assessment with us today and we’ll make the process easy.
If you are in the New Plymouth District Council region you can also put the costs of insulation and/or clean heating on your rates. Read more here.
* Howden-Chapman, P et al. "Effect of insulating existing houses on health in equality: Cluster randomised study in the community"
