The Warm Homes Clean Air Programme is now paused for review.
The Council’s Warm Homes Clean Air programme has been a success in helping members of our communities
improve the warmth of their homes and clean up the air, especially in Tokoroa. The Council lends money to
homeowners for the improvements, and this is paid back through their rates bills.
The Government has recently made changes to the requirements for organisations that lend money to
consumers. The Council’s Warm Homes Clean Air programme will be paused while the Council reviews its
processes and how it delivers this important service to its communities.
Note: All applications in process will continue to be processed. Any new applications (from quote stage onwards) will be placed on a waiting list as of 21.09.2022.
Anyone who is interested in applying for the scheme when it starts again, can still apply now and their application will sit on the waiting list.
Smoke-free burning will help us clean up the air in Tokoroa
Low pollution days and nights require everyone with fires to burn smoke-free. Your home will be warmer, you'll use less firewood and help improve South Waikato's air quality.
During winter, the air we breathe in Tokoroa becomes so polluted that it is a risk to our health and wellbeing - especially for young children, the elderly, and those whose health is already fragile (i.e. asthma sufferers).
How does the air become so polluted?
The main cause is home heating (fires), old wood burners and especially the burning of wet wood and plastics.
What are PM2.5 and PM10?
PM 10s are tiny smoke and chemical particles small enough to enter your lungs and cause serious respiratory disease.
PM2.5s are even smaller particles that are able to penetrate deeper into the lungs and potentially cause serious disease.
What can I do?
- If your wood burner is old and burning inefficiently, you may be eligible for one of the three schemes available to replace it.
- Burn only dry, seasoned wood with a moisture content of 20% or less. see our list of BurnWise suppliers who are reputable suppliers of good dry wood.
- Have your flue swept at east once a year.
- Keep your firebox clean throughout winter, with a shallow layer of ash on the bottom.
- Upgrading to a clean heating appliance if you have an open fire and/or a wood burner that is non-compliant
(i.e. not on the
Ministry for the Environment database).
Click here for more FAQs.
