From this week, home owners with an open fire or solid fuel burner that is being used as the main form of heating in their living area may be eligible for an interestfree loan for an approved, clean heat appliance and home insulation.
The interest-free loan will be paid back over 10 years with payments being made through rates.
Ecan Clean Heat Project manager Mike Gaudin said he was pleased the scheme was under way in
Timaru before the end of winter. The city's new assessor had completed training this week and had begun processing applications.
Ecan had budgeted to provide interest-free loans to 280 homes in Timaru in the current financial year, he said.
The scheme, which has been running in Christchurch since 2003, was also expanded to Ashburton, Rangiora and Kaiapoi this week.
Ecan air portfolio committee chairwoman Jo Kane urged residents to check their eligibility for the scheme. Those taking up the loans would be helping their community reduce air pollution and make it a healthier place for everyone to live.
Clean air and home insulation would help the city achieve the healthy air national target for 2013, she said.
The Ministry for the Environment has a target of reducing high pollution nights to one a year in each region from September 2013.
Ecan estimates Timaru has 6000 to 6500 properties that have an open fire or coal and wood-burning appliance.
Timaru continues to have its worst winter for air pollution for seven years. Until July 22, the city had experienced 32 high-pollution nights - the highest number by this date since 2001, when it had experienced 38 such nights.
Between 1999 and 2006, the number of high-pollution nights by July 22 varied between 21 and 38, with 24 last year.
Anyone who wants to check their eligibility through a Clean Heat Project assessment should phone 0800 EC WARM (0800 329-276).
