NZ is a fairly cold place. Surprisingly a great many houses are still uninsulated. What is more crazy is that the NZ government is attempting to compete with a lot of European countries by trying to encourage greater fuel efficiency. Their policy comprises offering grants to households which install air or water heat pumps, insulation and solar units.
I like the idea of establishing these technologies. The simple fact however is that they are overpriced because governments are trying to promote their environmental credentials. It really is a false economy, much like the $14-21K first home grants in Australia, which only succeeded in forcing up the price of property, and further expanding household debt in Australia. Worst of all, the most vulnerable section of the economy is being sucked in during a time of recession. Governments are evil ....long live their stay in purgatory.
So what should you do? Well interestingly, its often the technologies which are not subsidised which make the most sense, particularly those which you can install yourself, i.e. Wool insulation as opposed to pink bats.
I have spent a lot of time researching the various options, and as much as I like a heat pump, I'd be inclined to wait for better technology options because a heat pump is basically the reverse of a $1000 refrigerator, yet they cost $4500-5500, plus installation $700-1000. That $1000 subsidy goes straight to the manufacturer because of the rip-off prices. Basically they are expensive because countries like Germany are providing huge subsidies.
At this point I would invest in a nice warm wool jumper. Same for insulation. Air foam for $4000, when 3 people can install it in a day, its overpriced. Wait for competition. There is no justification for it. Roof insulation makes more sense and you can install it yourself.
A $70 oil heater makes the only economic sense at the moment. Just wait until the manufacturing capacity grows, eventually prices will drop. There will also be new technologies like Stirling solar engines and fuel cells. A good woollen jumper costs you $300. Sorry, I paid too much :)
I might add that local governments are ripping off the people by charging $260 to install every little thing. A solar panel, a open fire place all require council approval. Would it not be better to just require licensed installers to by-pass such cost constraints, and perhaps for non-licensed installers to require such approvals. Please, in the interests of ending slavery to an unthinking state!
I have spent a lot of time researching the various options, and as much as I like a heat pump, I'd be inclined to wait for better technology options because a heat pump is basically the reverse of a $1000 refrigerator, yet they cost $4500-5500, plus installation $700-1000. That $1000 subsidy goes straight to the manufacturer because of the rip-off prices. Basically they are expensive because countries like Germany are providing huge subsidies.
At this point I would invest in a nice warm wool jumper. Same for insulation. Air foam for $4000, when 3 people can install it in a day, its overpriced. Wait for competition. There is no justification for it. Roof insulation makes more sense and you can install it yourself.
A $70 oil heater makes the only economic sense at the moment. Just wait until the manufacturing capacity grows, eventually prices will drop. There will also be new technologies like Stirling solar engines and fuel cells. A good woollen jumper costs you $300. Sorry, I paid too much :)
I might add that local governments are ripping off the people by charging $260 to install every little thing. A solar panel, a open fire place all require council approval. Would it not be better to just require licensed installers to by-pass such cost constraints, and perhaps for non-licensed installers to require such approvals. Please, in the interests of ending slavery to an unthinking state!
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