While the mercury may be taking a drop in the province, Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust (HBPCT) has some warming news. Chairman John Newland said Bay residents can still get subsidised insulation funding from the trust. This is despite confusion regarding insulation funding and whether subsidies are still available under HBPCT HealthyHomes project. "HBPCT has formalised an agreement with local insulation provider Energy Options to release further funding for this new financial year," he said. "The truth is there has never been a better time to insulate your home." HBPCT allocated a further $300,000 to leverage EECA central government funding for the 2010-2011 year. "This makes it possible for Energy Options to provide full funding for 250 eligible lower income earners and an additional subsidy on top of the current EECA grant for a number of all income households." Jo Hunt of Energy Options said last year's results were outstanding. "Over 470 homes were insulated last year and this year we anticipate assisting more than 750 homes. "That is a huge success and a very good start to achieving the goal of making a healthy, warm, and comfortable living standard for Hawke's Bay residents." Mr Newland said a benefit of the healthy homes project is that not only do houses end up warmer, drier and healthier due to being properly insulated, but once they meet the insulation standards they may be eligible for government heating assistance. "This is particularly important in the Hawke's Bay where air quality is a major issue and people will need to convert their existing polluting wood burner to a new clean burning wood burner, pellet fire, or heat pump."
