Warm Homes Clean Air

The Warm Homes Clean Air (WHCA) project allows homeowners who meet certain criteria to get wood burners that are 10 years or older replaced for free. Non-compliant (old) wood burners are replaced with a clean heat appliance - heat pump, or Ministry for the Environment approved pellet fire or wood burner.

WHCA History

Following the introduction of the National Environmental Standard on Air Quality (NESAQ), the Warm Homes Clean Air Action Group was formed in 2004. This group promoted the benefits of insulating homes and provided insulation for low income homes free of charge. In 2011, this moved from insulation to clean heat being provided free of charge for low income homes.

WHCA Committee

On the WHCA Action Group sit representatives from SWDC, Waikato Regional Council, Tokoroa Council of Social Services, Raukawa Charitable Trust Board, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and South Waikato Pacific Island Community Services Inc.

WHCA Funding

Under the current Long Term Plan, WHCA receives $150,000/year from SWDC; a further $150,000/year from Waikato Regional Council and subsidies provided by EECA.

WHCA Eligibility

Home is owner-occupied.
Homeowner has a Community Services Card.
Home was built before the year 2000.
Home has insulation - ceiling and under floor (if able to be insulated).
Home has open fire/non-compliant wood burner (over 10 years old).
Approved dry wood storage (for homes wanting new wood burners, this is checked at the time of assessment).
Are located within the Tokoroa Airshed.

If you don't qualify, take a look at Council's Heat Swap Scheme by clicking here.

WHCA Process

Contact the WHCA Co-ordinator on (07) 885 0711
If you qualify, your name is passed on to our service provider.
The service provider will contact you to schedule a time for the insulation and clean heat assessment.
At the assessment, the insulation is checked to ensure it meets EECA's standard to receive a clean heat subsidy, the new clean heat appliance is discussed, and the homeowner decides what appliance they would like.
After the assessment, the service provider will make arrangements for the install, purchase the clean heat appliance and apply for any consents required (wood burners and pellet fires).
Prior to the clean heat appliance being installed, the service provider will decommission/remove the old wood burner.
The clean heat appliance will be installed and any inspections required (wood burners and pellet fires) will occur.

Further Information

The non-compliant wood burner/open fire will not be able to be used again and freestanding or insert fires will be taken away by the service provider.
There must be a non-compliant wood burner/open fire to be decommissioned/removed in the home.
The clean heat appliance must be installed in a main living area.
Homeowners whose wood burners have a working wetback will be able to get a wetback with their new wood burner if they choose to, otherwise a wetback is at the homeowner's expense.
Approved dry wood storage means a permanent structure with a solid roof that complies with the relevant building standards (if applicable) appropriate to store fire wood in dry conditions.
Priority is given to homes where there are children or people with cardiac or respiratory problems.
For more information on air quality and monitoring in Tokoroa click here.