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Why we need healthy homes

Living in a cold, damp, crowded home can increase the risk of our tamariki, and others in the household, getting sick with:

  • respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and serious chest infections
  • other preventable health conditions, such as rheumatic fever and skin infections.

Creating a warmer and drier home can help prevent these conditions and stop them getting very bad.

Tips for a healthy home

Here are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of you and your whānau getting sick. Even if you only do some of these, it can still make a difference to the health of your home and your whānau.

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Keep the indoor temperature of your home at least 18°C if you can, especially in winter.

If you have pēpi, tamariki or elderly living in your home, try and keep the temperature above 20°C.

The safest, most effective heaters include:

  • heat pumps (especially those with thermostats, which help keep costs down)
  • electric heaters
  • wood burners
  • wood pellet burners.

Good home insulation keeps the heat in and lowers heating costs. You may be able to get financial support for insulation costs. 

Support is available

Heating your home safely

Coal, gas and oil-fired methods of heating are not as safe or efficient. Unflued gas heaters can increase asthma and other respiratory problems and add pollutants to the air. Pollutants include dangerous carbon monoxide — high levels of this can lead to death. Gas braziers and patio heaters should never be used inside.

Unflued gas heaters

Burning treated timber or old furniture is dangerous as doing so releases poisonous chemicals into the air.

FAQ on installing wood burners — Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao

Open your curtains in the morning to let the sun heat your home. If you use an alternative to curtains, like sheets or lavalava, make sure they cover the whole window to stop cold air coming in.

Close your curtains at night to stop heat escaping through the glass and any gaps.

Check that draughts of cold air are not coming in around your windows and doors.

  • If you notice draughts coming inside under a door, a draught stopper or a rolled-up dry towel on the floor at the bottom can help.
  • If you notice draughts coming in from around your windows, self-adhesive seals and other useful products can be found at hardware stores.

Damp houses are harder to heat than dry houses and condensation can lead to mould growing inside. Condensation is moisture you might see on walls, windows and furniture.

To reduce dampness:

  • open doors and windows to let fresh air through your house
  • dry clothes outside if you can
  • put lids on pots when cooking
  • use extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen
  • wipe condensation off windows with a towel or sponge – a dry home is easier and cheaper to heat
  • pull beds and mattresses away from the walls to let air circulate
  • clean any mould with white vinegar or a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water)
  • use a dehumidifier if you have one — they use less energy than a heat pump and can help your heat pump run better.

Ventilation

Support is available

If you have children in your home and have a low income, the Healthy Homes Initiative may be able to help make your home warmer and drier with financial support, practical support, or both.

Healthy Homes Initiative

Other financial support

  • Contact your electricity retailer, they may be able to offer flexible payment plans for your bills.
  • Talk to Work and Income, they may be able to help with an urgent power, or gas bill, or other heating costs. 
    Power, gas, water bills or heating — Work and Income
  • If you receive a main benefit, pension or Jobseeker Support Student Hardship, the Winter Energy Payment is an extra payment to help with the cost of heating your home over winter. You do not need to apply, if you meet the criteria, it’s paid automatically from 1 May to 1 October every year.
  • Find out if you’re eligible for Warmer Kiwi Homes support. The fund covers up to 90% of the costs to buy and install insulation and an efficient heater. 
    Warmer Kiwi Homes — EECA

If you are over 65 years old

Age Concern can connect you with social work support to help you find resources, services and information you may need.

Contact Age Concern: