Cassia on winter assumptions

Published 24 May 2017

Cassia on winter assumptions

Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won't come in." This quote has inspired us to share and untangle some common assumptions about being warm in winter. With record numbers of enquiries, property assessments and home energy product sales, it’s time for a recap on how to be warm, dry and energy-efficient. Check back again next week for more myths debunked.

Insulating my home/rental is an expensive upfront cost I can't afford 
Ratepayers can pay just $20-30/month for insulation with a rates loan from GWRC. It’s a fantastic and safe way to access up to $3,900 for insulation costs, repayable over max. 9 years via your property rates. It takes around a fortnight for the paperwork to come through, so you can warm up and save on bills quickly with install asap thereafter. This has to be the Wellington region’s best-kept secret! Alternatively we offer a short term 0% interest loan repayable over 6 -12 months, across our insulation, heating, ventilation and LED downlight supply and install services. A great way to have a bit more time to pay off what you need now. Find out more about these repayment plans. Don’t forget – insulation costs are quickly offset by improved health, comfort and quality of life. As insulation now lasts around 50 years and is a legal requirement for all rentals by July 2019, this is a crucial long term investment for any homeowner and is much more affordable than you think.

The subsidies have run out (or I’m not eligible)

Not true! There are a limited number of subsidies still available, but only until June 2018. Once they are gone, they are gone! If you are renting have a Community Services Card then your landlord may be able to get half-price insulation with Government funding. If you own your own home and have a Community Services Card, then you may also be able to get funding of up to 50%from Sustainability Trust and our partners to help pay for insulation. If you think you could apply then do it, now, before they run out! Psst - eligible homeowners can get both special offers - half-price insulation and put the rest of the costs onto one of the above repayment plans, making insulation even more affordable. Contact us today to find out more.

Heating? Insulation? Just put an extra jumper on!
A jumper will warm up your body, but the actual temperature inside your home needs heat to prevent moisture and housing-related health issues. If a room is cold and damp then it will cause mould and dust mites, which can lead to serious health issues like pneumonia, asthma and rheumatic fever. Sadly, over one in four Kiwis suffers from asthma, and your home environment is the number one way to prevent and treat poor health. Bedrooms and living areas should be 18-21 degrees C, according to the WHO. As a general guide, most New Zealand homes built before 1978 need ceiling and underfloor insulation, fixed heating in the living space and radiant heaters in the bedroom, to counteract the problems caused by poor building construction standards. The quality, thickness and fit of insulation is crucial, as well as the size and type of heating. Want to know more? book a home assessment with one of our experts, or read EECA's home heating info guide. If you have a housing-related health issue then you may be able to get extra help from Warm Fuzzies.

I need thick, thermal lined curtains but they are are hard to get and expensive

Thermal backing make little or no difference to heat retention. Call it an old wives tale, mistake or assumption, put simply it's wrong. What matters is multiple layers of fabric that trap air and create a barrier between the curtains and the window. So the perfect recipe for curtains is good quality curtain material, which is lined with at least one layer of fabric - simple cotton will do the job. The fit too is crucial, as curtains need to fully cover windows including top and bottom, ideally floor length with a pelmet too.

We provide free curtains for Community Services Card holders via the Wellington Curtain Bank, so that's amazing quality for your home, whilst helping others too. We hope this has helped you to see the light. Check back again next week for more common assumptions debunked, or feel free to get in touch for personalised advice and a property assessment.