HealthInfo Canterbury

Keeping your home warm & dry

Kia mau tonu te whakamahana me te whakamaroke o tōu kāinga

A cold or damp house can affect your health. To help prevent this, you might be able to get significant subsidies for insulation and heating. All homes built or insulated before 2008 would probably benefit from at least a top-up of insulation.

Contact the Community Energy Action (CEA) Charitable Trust by phoning (03) 374‑7222 or 0800‑GETWARM to discuss your options. Even if you don't qualify for subsidies, CEA can help you with insulation, heating, ventilation, curtains and advice.

Insulation assessments and advice over the phone and by email are free. Home visits by a qualified home energy assessor may also be free.

For low-income whānau (families) who are at a higher risk of getting very sick, the Tamaiti Healthy Homes service may also be able to help. They can help you get insulation, ventilation and heating for your home. They can also make sure you get the right Work and Income payments and find alternative accommodation if your home is really unhealthy.

Ask your general practice team if the Tamaiti Healthy Homes service could be right for you. You can also phone 0800-669-957 or fill in a Tamaiti Healthy Homes referral form online.

If you live in a rental property or you're a landlord, you should be aware of the new Healthy Homes Standard. These are standards that have been set by the government to make sure everyone in New Zealand can live in a healthy warm home.

Tips to help you keep your home as warm and dry as possible this winter

Get rid of dampness and stop heat escaping

• Air your home on warm sunny days or when it's windy.
• Use the ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathroom if you have them.
• Dry clothes outside in the sun rather than inside your home.
• Get a moisture barrier under the floor.
• Try to seal gaps around window and door frames to prevent draughts. Use curtains and door snakes to help keep the heat in.
• Take advantage of the sun by opening your curtains during the day and closing them at sunset.
• If tradesmen need to go in your roof, ask them to leave the insulation as it is. If you can, check whether they've done so.
• To reduce the amount of heat going out your windows, you can use a DIY window insulation kit. You can buy these kits from CEA. To buy kits, get advice, learn more about affordable insulation, heating options, subsidies and payment plans, phone (03) 374‑7222 or 0800‑GETWARM, or visit the CEA website for more information.

Get good winter curtains

• If you can't afford good curtains, you can contact CEA's Curtain Bank for free, recycled, lined curtains. Phone (03) 374‑7222 or 0800‑GETWARM.

Spread your power bill

• You may be able to evenly spread your power bill payments across the year so there are no surprises. Talk to your power company about how to do this.
• Make sure you're on the right plan with the cheapest provider. Use Powerswitch or contact CEA's Energy Advice Service if you need help with this. Phone (03) 374‑7222 or 0800‑GETWARM.
• If you need help with your power bills, first contact your power company. You can also try Work and Income or the Mayor's Welfare Fund.

Other tips

Rheumatic fever is a serious illness that can be prevented by keeping your home warm and dry, and preventing the spread of germs. The following series of videos from the Ministry of Health give tips to help do this. There are nine short videos, and they'll automatically play in sequence.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Community and Public Health – Staying warm and well this winter

  Tips for staying warm and healthy this winter.

• Eco Design Advisor – Resources

  Practical information, advice, and answers to common questions about making your home drier and more efficient.

• Keeping yourself and your family well and your home warm and dry – leaflets in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Samoan.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2023.

Sources

Page reference: 49776

Review key: HIKEW-49776