Aaron Gilmore, National MP based in Christchurch East says there are now 17,628 warmer, drier homes in Canterbury thanks to National’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart home insulation scheme.

“Homes here in Canterbury have been retrofitted with insulation and/or new and more efficient heating such as heat pumps since the scheme started in 2009.

“This is fantastic news as we look towards another winter in Christchurch East.  I’m pleased people are thinking ahead and getting their homes insulated now, because a warm, dry home can make a big difference to the health and wellbeing of our families,” Mr Gilmore says.

“Even better, we have estimated 2000 Kiwis are working fulltime thanks to this programme.  That is private sector installers who have been kept busy thanks to our investment.

“Investing in home insulation makes sense from a health point of view, and is the right type of boost our economy needs to keep jobs through the downturn. 

“Also priority is being given to those houses with earthquake damage to ensure that these families cope with the coming winter as well.

“In addition, the Government introduced a voluntary Chimney Replacement Programme following the Canterbury earthquake. People whose chimneys have been badly damaged can replace their old log burners or open fires with a new, efficient heater. The majority of the cost is covered by their EQC claim.

National has committed $347 million to the Warm Up New Zealand Heat Smart scheme over four years.  More than 89,000 homes have benefited so far.