Financial assistance for replacement heating

We understand replacing old wood burners with new, cleaner forms of heating can be costly, but subsidies are available.

 
Home heating subsidies
 
Alternative ways to fund your heating

Home heating subsidies

Home heating subsidies of up to $5000 are available and can be used to replace an old wood burner with an efficient new heating appliance (wood burner or a heat pump) and its installation.

Enquire about a subsidy

To check your eligibility and apply, read the following criteria and then contact:

If you need to replace your expired burner, subsidies are available

If you need to replace your expired burner, subsidies are available

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible you must:

  • be the homeowner/occupier
  • and have an expired or expiring burner.

And either

  • be a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo card holder (with CSC on the back)
  • or live in an eligible Social Deprivation Index area 8-10.

Other evidence of financial hardship is considered on a case-by-case basis. To enquire about options, please contact the supplier in your area listed above.

Your wood burner must:

  • be a burner that is due for replacement. Funding may be used for the purchase and installation of an ultra-low emission burner (ULEB) or a heat pump

  • situated in the main living area.

Funding may also be applied if your supplier is handling the building consent application for the ULEB. The supplier gets paid directly, not the homeowner.

Burners that expired before 25 October 2016 are not eligible for funding.

Your property must:

  • be located in the Clean Air Zone for Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Waimate or Geraldine
  • be on a site less than 2ha (most urban properties)
  • not contain an efficient form of fixed heating, such as a heat pump
  • have not previously received financial support from us towards a replacement wood burner.

Your property may be eligible if it has previously received an interest-free Clean Heat loan.

Note: Tenanted properties are not eligible for home heating subsidies. Please consider alternative options, for example, bank loans or retailers who offer interest-free terms. All funding is subject to availability.

Alternative ways to fund your heating

You may be able to get a loan from your bank or retailer.

Some banks allow you to add the cost of home heating appliances to your mortgage without additional fees, and some retailers offer interest-free loans for a certain period.

We encourage you to investigate these options as well.

More information

In exceptional circumstances, some households may be able to receive a one-off waiver, enabling them to use their expired burner for one final season. This is generally only available to those over 80 years of age and those with serious health concerns. 

To enquire about this possibility, contact our advisory team on 0800 326 636.

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