You are here: Home > News & Research  > Older Articles    

Meridian Energy continues to support Warm Babies project 

For a fourth year support from Meridian Energy has improved the health and wellbeing of many Christchurch infants. Over the 12 months to 30 June 2006 Meridian's annual grant to Community Energy Action, combined with subsidies from the government's energy efficiency agency, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, has made it possible to insulate 24 low income households occupied by families with a baby aged less than 12 months of age, or with children suffering an illness aggravated by a cold home. The Meridian Energy grant also enabled those most in need to receive assistance to install a heat pump.

Those who received assistance through Community Energy Action's Warm Babies project have commented on the changes this has made to their lives. A mother of 3, who was referred by her doctor because her 8 month old child suffered from asthma, was reliant on a sickness benefit for income and a portable gas heater for heating. Community Energy Action installed ceiling and underfloor insulation as well as a heat pump in the living area. The mother said 'the house is warmer, our asthmatic child is not so unwell, and we are happy with the improvements. The heat pump is more cost effective and their isn't as much condensation.'

A single parent with 1 child was referred by a community agency because the 1 year old child was not thriving. She too was relying on a portable gas heater for the main form of heating. (Check out this site's Energy Information page to see why Community Energy Action does not recommend this form of heating.) With a contribution from the landlord insulation and a heat pump were installed. The mother says 'the flat is heaps warmer and more comfortable and my son hasn't been sick'.

A widowed mother with 2 children, referred by the local council, was using a conventional electric heater. After insulation was installed, funding was allocated to enable a heat pump to be provided. Her feedback noted that 'the insulation made a huge difference. Then I couldn't believe the difference with the heat pump. It's warmer and drier."

These are typical examples of the benefits of installing both insulation and energy efficient heat pumps While the cost of heat pumps means they have to be targeted at those most in need it has only been due to Meridian's contribution that Community Energy Action has been able to install any at all.