The 2009 budget allocated $323.3 million over 4 years to fit homes built before 2000 with insulation and clean heating devices such as heat pumps and approved wood burners. The scheme is open to all owners and occupiers of houses built before 2000 and will start on 1 July this year. The purpose of the scheme is to improve household energy efficiency and address health problems caused by people living in cold damp houses.
How does the scheme work?
To obtain a grant you must contact the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) or a fund partner. Fund partners may be local councils, electricity companies or banks that have agreed to provide loans for insulation and heating.
EECA will undertake an energy audit to assess what is required to improve the insulation and heating in your home. The funding options available will also be explained.
How much can I receive?
The Government will pay about a third of the cost of installing ceiling and under floor insulation up to $1,300 in homes built before 2000.
Homes with sufficient ceiling and under floor insulation may also access $500 for clean heating devices like approved log burners, pallet burners, heat pumps or flue gas heaters.
As the cost of insulation and new heating is estimated to be between $5,000 and $7,000, home owners or occupiers may receive the Government grant and borrow the rest of the money and repay this through their power bill, council rates or a mortgage.
Do I qualify?
The scheme is open to all home owners or home occupants who have a house built before 2000. After 1 July 2009 there will be no income cap on who is eligible to apply.
For people that also hold a community services card, the Government will provide 60% of the cost of insulation. The average cost of insulation is estimated to be $3,000, so the Government grant will amount to $1,800. Community service card holders are also entitled to an additional $1,200 towards buying a clean heating device. The average cost of a clean heating device installed is about $3,600. Overall then, the Government will provide a $3,000 contribution for insulating and heating for community service card holders. In many areas, third party funding will supplement Government funding to provide free insulation and reduce cost clean heat devices.
What if I rent my house to tenants?
For houses occupied by tenants with community services cards, landlords will be entitled to 60% of the cost of insulation and a $500 grant for heating.
More information…
EECA has announced that more information will follow at the official launch of the scheme which is expected in a few weeks.
In the meantime, if you would like more information about the insulation and clean heating grants, please contact the environment.solutions team at Sharp Tudhope.