Waiau Getting Warmer

Gary Nichol and his two children, Alexei and Nikita, are feeling the real effects of a warm, dry home.  Their home was insulated as part of the Warm Families programme sponsored by MainPower.  The programme targeted un-insulated homes built before 2000 where the residents suffered illnesses caused by cold, damp conditions.

Alexei was a regular winter visitor to the Amuri Community Health Centre with chronic asthma, and his dad and sister regularly suffered severe winter colds.  “You could feel the heat come down as the insulation went up”, said Gary in reference to the insulation being fitted into his ceiling, which had not had an insulation top-up for many years.  “The cold draughts which came up from under the house stopped when the under floor insulation was fitted”, he said. 

Gary’s home is now cheaper to heat and he no longer runs a dehumidifier to draw off the dampness.  He believes that he has saved himself thousands of dollars a year in the reduced cost of firewood, fewer doctor’s bills and medicines and electrical heating.

“My family is happier, healthier and much more enthusiastic and I cannot thank all of those involved enough for making this happen.”