Financial assistance and temporary waivers

We understand replacing old wood burners with new, cleaner forms of heating can be costly, but subsidies and waivers are available.

 
Subsidies
 
Temporary waivers
 
Alternative ways to fund your heating

Subsidies

Subsidies of up to $5000 are available and can be used to pay for a new heating appliance (wood burner or a heat pump) and its installation to replace your old wood burner.

Enquire about a subsidy

To check your eligibility and apply, read the following criteria and then contact:

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible you must:

  • be the homeowner/occupier
  • and have an expired burner.

And either

  • be a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo card holder (with CSC on the back)
  • or live in an eligible Social Deprivation Index area 8-10.

Other evidence of financial hardship is considered on a case-by-case basis, to enquire about options please contact the supplier in your area listed above.

If you need to replace your expired burner, subsidies are available.

If you need to replace your expired burner, subsidies are available.

Your wood burner must:

  • be a burner that is due for replacement - funding may be used for the purchase and installation of an ultra-low emission burner (ULEB), or a heat pump
  • be situated in the main living area.

Where your supplier is arranging the building consent application for the ULEB, funding may be used for this also (Environment Canterbury pays the supplier directly, not the homeowner).

Burners that expired before 25 October 2016 are not eligible for funding.

Your property must:

  • be located in the Clean Air Zone for Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Waimate or Geraldine; and be on a site less than 2ha (most urban properties); and
  • have not previously received financial support from Environment Canterbury towards a replacement wood burner.

Your property may be eligible if it has previously received an interest-free Clean Heat loan.

Note: Tenanted properties are not eligible. Please consider alternative options, for example, bank loans or retailers who offer interest free terms. All funding is subject to availability.

Temporary waivers

Some households facing difficult circumstances may get a temporary waiver, enabling them to use their expired burner for another winter. This has been referred to as a “leniency” in the past and generally applies to those over 80 years of age and those with serious health concerns. 

To enquire about this possibility, contact customer services on 0800 329 276.

Alternative ways to fund your heating

You may be able to get a loan from your bank or retailer. Some banks allow you to add the cost of home heating appliances to your mortgage without additional fees, and some retailers offer interest-free loans for a certain period. We encourage you to investigate these options as well.

More information

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