Get fired up with the Warm Homes Clean Air scheme offerings

Tokoroa has an air quality problem during our winter months. Our poor air quality leads to an increase in respiratory issues for many people in our community.

For the past fifteen years, South Waikato District Council has offered schemes to encourage homeowners and landlords to swap their polluting, non-compliant wood burners for cleaner heating options. There are three schemes available, making it easy for people to find a good fit with at least one of the schemes.

“If you have not taken advantage of one these schemes, now is a great time to do so in preparation for next winter,” said Cherie Pascoe, Council’s WHCA coordinator. “The On the House scheme is a great option for people who want to switch to cleaner heat option, but who simply don’t have the cash to make the change.”

Aimed at lower income households, this scheme provides energy efficient clean heating appliances into Tokoroa homes.

“The great news is that this scheme if fully funded by Waikato Regional Council,” continued Mrs Pascoe. “There are a few criteria, including the home must be owner-occupied, having a community services card or having had a rates rebate in the last two years, a non-compliant wood burner and the home must be located in the Tokoroa airshed.”

The Split the Bill scheme assists ratepayers (including landlords) within the Tokoroa airshed, to replace non-compliant fires in residential properties by providing 50% subsidy up to a maximum of $2,000 and adding the remaining cost to rates over a nine-year period. As part of a heating upgrade, insulation may also need to be installed or upgraded.

Buy Now Pay Later assists ratepayers (including landlords) outside of the Tokoroa airshed but within the South Waikato district, to replace non-compliant fires in residential properties by adding the full cost to rates over a nine-year period. Again, insulation may need to be installed or upgraded.

“Non-compliant wood burners will be removed or decommissioned as part of the process,” explained Mrs Pascoe. “In addition the ratepayer must own the property and rates for the property must be up to date.”

For more information, visit www.southwaikato.govt.nz, or call (07) 885 0340