Make yourself a healthier home
We all want warm, dry and healthy homes, but many houses are draughty, not well insulated and with Auckland’s weather, damp as well.
Our programme - Retrofit Your Home - is designed to help you deal with those problems by providing you with a free assessment and retrofit plan.
If your house was built before the year 2000 and you meet the additional criteria below, you can also apply for up to $5000 financial assistance through Auckland Council. This can help you get your home retrofitted with what's needed to make it energy-efficient and healthier to live in.
The extra bonus – if you’re applying for insulation or clean heating items, the government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart insulation programme has ENERGYWISE™ grants available to help with costs. These are provided through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and will automatically be included on any quote for these items.
For more information see the links below:
Why Retrofit?
What's available through Retrofit Your Home and EECA
How to apply for the plan
Questions and Answers
Why Retrofit?
- your home will be easier to heat, and stay warmer longer
- your family's health will be better protected
- you will reduce your impact on the environment.
What's available through Retrofit Your Home and EECA
Free home sustainability assessment
Auckland Council offers a limited number of free home sustainability assessments. These assessments provide a personalised retrofit plan and a range of ideas on how to make your home warmer and drier.
Financial Assistance
You can apply for up to $5000 financial assistance* through the council to help you get your home retrofitted. This assistance is repaid over nine years through a targeted rate included on your rates bill.
For more details about the amount of EECA ENERGYWISE grants you can obtain visit: www.energywise.govt.nz or phone 0800 749 782.
EECA approved retrofit items:
- ceiling insulation
- under-floor insulation
- ground polythene vapour barrier
- hot water cylinder and pipe wraps
- efficient pellet or wood-burner
- heat pumps
- flued gas heating
*To be eligible your house must be built before 2000; you must be an Auckland Council ratepayer and you must be up to date with your rate payments and have a good payment history.
How to apply
Two steps to a better home:
1. If you're interested in insulation or clean heating:
- Print, complete and post the information pack request form (PDF 84kb) or phone us on 09 301 0101 for an information pack request form. (Your information pack contains an application form, information on the programme, our preferred suppliers list and a ratepayer agreement.)
- You can then obtain quotes for the work you want undertaken from the suppliers pre-approved by council
- When you have found a quote you are happy with return a signed copy of your selected quote along with a completed application form and ratepayer agreement
- The council will process your application and notify your chosen supplier(s) so that they can come and undertake the work (Note: the suppliers' quotes for insulation will automatically allow for the ENERGYWISE™ grants.)
2. If you've decided that you want a free home sustainability assessment:
- Print, complete and post the information pack request form (PDF 84kb) or phone us on 09 301 0101 and request an information pack. (Your information pack contains an application form, information on the programme, our preferred suppliers list and a ratepayer agreement.)
- On receipt of your registration form we will call you to make a time for your free Home Sustainability Assessment. This will help you discover what you can do to help make your home warmer and drier
- We will send you a copy of your retrofit plan
- You can then obtain quotes for the work you want undertaken from the suppliers pre-approved by council
- When you have found a quote you are happy with return a signed copy of your selected quote(s) along with a completed application form and ratepayer agreement
- The council will process your application and notify your chosen supplier(s) so that they can come and undertake work.
In both cases the council will pay your chosen suppliers directly once the work has been completed, and you will then repay the council through your rates over a period of up to nine years. If you wish to pay the amount back sooner you can do so with no penalty.
Questions and answers
How much financial help is available?
You can access up to $5000 (including GST) for each rateable property. This is in addition to any ENERGYWISE™ grants.
Do I have to pay it back?
Yes, the council's financial help is not a grant. You pay it back through your rates over nine years.
How do I repay the financial assistance?
The assistance is repaid over nine years through a targeted rate included on your rates bill.
Do I have to have a Community Services Card to qualify?
No. All ratepayers in the Auckland region are eligible.
Will the council charge interest on the financial assistance?
Yes. The interest rate will be at the same rate the council pays for its own cost of borrowing plus a small administrative margin. For the next financial year the rate will be seven percent.
What if I want to repay the money early?
The repayments start in July 2012. If you want to repay it earlier, you will be able to make extra repayments.
Can I get the Retrofit Your Home assistance as well as the ENERGYWISE™ grant?
Yes. The council's financial help is over and above the ENERGYWISE™ grants. When you get your quotes, the EECA grant for insulation and clean heat will be included. The grant doesn't have to be repaid.
Is anyone eligible for the Retrofit Your Home scheme?
No. There are three criteria:
- Your house must be built before 2000; and
- You must be an Auckland Council ratepayer;
- You must be up to date with your rate payments and have a good payment history.
What if my property is a rental?
All rental properties are still eligible for the financial assistance from the Auckland Council – as long as the criteria above are met.
I've already had insulation installed on my home with an ENERGYWISE grant, can I now get clean heating added and repay it through my rates?
Yes you can. An assessment for heating must be done by a Council appointed Sustainable Homes Assessor.
What if I change my mind after signing up?
After signing your ratepayer agreement, you will have five days to cancel.
What if I sell my house? Do I have to pay off the financial assistance?
No. Any financial assistance owing on the property does not need to be repaid when the property is sold. The council will note the debt on the property file (LIM or PIM) along with the actions that have been taken to retrofit the property. The rate passes to the new homeowner however the seller has a legal requirement to inform any purchaser of the existence of the rate and must include a written provision in any sale agreement recording that disclosure.
Besides the targeted rate, what other information goes on my property file?
The council notes what actions have been taken to retrofit your home as well as the debt against the property.
Will you fund houses built after 2000?
No. Only homes built before 2000 are eligible. This is consistent with the EECA eligibility criteria.
Who can I get quotes from?
The council has a list of pre-approved suppliers and products. You can use any of these suppliers. It's a good idea to get a few quotes, but you don't have to.
Can I do the retrofit myself?
No. Because the council wants to ensure safety and high-quality workmanship, it won't fund those wanting to install retrofit products themselves.
Does my house need both ceiling and under-floor insulation to qualify for clean heat?
Yes. However, concrete floors and inaccessible ceiling areas don't have to be insulated. Also, you don't need to install insulation if you've already met EECA's Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart requirements.
Who assesses my home?
The council has Sustainable Homes Assessors and the assessment is free.
If I have more than one house, can I get funding for each of them?
Yes. The aim of Retrofit Your Home is to get as many Auckland houses as possible retrofitted to make them energy efficient and sustainable.
I'm interested – what's next?
If you're interested in installing insulation only, then you can apply directly for financial assistance by calling the council (phone 09 301 0101) to obtain a list of approved suppliers. If you want clean heat or other products, then you will also need to arrange to have the free Home Sustainability Assessment so you know what else is needed. Then once you've made your decision about what you want done, you sign and return the Ratepayer Agreement.