Family breathes sigh of relief

by Alison Brown alison.brown@dailypost.co.nz
Rotorua's low income families are benefiting from a new scheme aimed at improving the city's shocking air quality.

Rotorua's air pollution is the second worst in the North Island behind Tokoroa and is closely linked to the city's high rates of respiratory illness.

Previous reports indicate pollution levels cause up to 22 premature deaths in the city each year.

Environment Bay of Plenty has estimated that more than half of all Rotorua's winter PM10 emissions - dust particles in the air - are caused by burning firewood.

PM10 emissions are fine dust that can be inhaled, causing heart and respiratory problems, especially in asthmatics, the elderly and children.

The regional council has identified specific areas in Rotorua where emission levels are high. They include Western Heights, Pleasant Heights and Ngapuna. About 9000 Rotorua properties have outdated wood burners, such as open fires and pot belly stoves, which no longer comply with requirements introduced to control air pollution levels.

People would need to spend between $2000 and $8000 replacing their non-complying wood burners - unaffordable for many low-income families.

However, a $300,000 grant from the regional council and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is being used to buy cleaner heating options for up to 80 families this winter.

Whakatane-based Energy Options is responsible for rolling out the Clean Heat project, having already insulated 450 Rotorua homes over the past four years as part of Healthy Homes Rotorua.

Homes that qualify for Clean Heat funding must be built before 1978, have insulation already installed, and have an old woodburner as the main heating source.

Those living in the homes must also hold a Community Services Card.

Dean Dinnington from Energy Options visits families to assess their heating requirements. Options include installing low emission woodburners, pellet fires, heat pumps, and flued gas heaters.

This week Mae and Erueti Foster celebrated the installation of their new energy efficient wood burner.

Winter used to mean several visits to Rotorua Hospital. Their cold, damp home aggravated their youngest's son's asthma and others in the family were frequently away from work and school with lung infections.

The warmth generated from their new wood fire would only add to the family's comfort.

"It's wonderful," he said.

"I've already noticed my wife isn't coughing as much and we've got free access to wood so it will cut our power bill too."