Warmer Kiwi Homes 2026: Heat Pump & Insulation Grants Explained

Kia ora. If your power bill spikes every winter and the house never quite feels warm, there's a government scheme that could cover most of the cost of fixing it, and a lot more Kiwis qualify in 2026 than did last year.

Quick answer

Warmer Kiwi Homes (run by EECA, the government's energy agency) pays:

• 50–90% of ceiling and underfloor insulation, up to about $3,450.
• Up to 90% of an approved high-wall heat pump, up to about $3,450.

You're likely eligible if you own and live in a home built before 2008, and your household either holds a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo Card, or lives in an area EECA classifies as lower or middle income. In 2026 the programme expanded a 50% insulation grant to more middle-income households, so up to 300,000 additional homes now qualify. Caps and eligibility can change, so confirm the current details with EECA before you apply.

What you can actually get

There are two grants, and they stack:

1. Insulation. Ceiling and underfloor insulation is the single biggest lever on a cold, damp NZ home. The grant covers 50–90% of the cost depending on your household, up to roughly $3,450. Insulation is also what makes the heat-pump grant possible (more on that below).

2. A heat pump. One approved high-wall heat pump for your main living area, up to about $3,450 (up to 90% of the cost). It won't heat the whole house, but it makes the room you actually live in cheap to keep warm.

Since 9 January 2026, Warmer Kiwi Homes no longer takes new applications for wood or pellet burners. Heat pumps are the supported heating option going forward.

Who qualifies in 2026

You generally need all of these:

• You own the home and it's your main residence.
• The home was built before 2008.
• Your household holds a Community Services Card or SuperGold Combo Card, OR your home is in an area EECA has identified as lower-to-middle income.

The big 2026 change is that middle-income households now get a 50% insulation grant even without a card, which is why "I checked before and didn't qualify" is worth re-checking this year.

One catch on heat pumps: you won't be approved for the heat-pump grant unless your home already has adequate ceiling and underfloor insulation to modern standards. If it doesn't, you do the insulation first (often grant-funded), then the heat pump.

How to apply

1. Check eligibility on the EECA Warmer Kiwi Homes page, or call an approved service provider.
2. A provider does a free assessment of your home.
3. They quote the job with the grant already deducted, so you pay only your share.
4. Accredited installers do the work.

You don't pay the grant portion up front, it comes off the price.

What it's worth over a winter

Insulation plus a heat pump in the main living area cuts both your power bill and the time the house sits cold and damp. If your winter power bill has been climbing, this is usually a bigger, longer-lasting win than switching plans, though it's worth doing both. While you wait for an install, our guides on power bill hacks and finding the cheapest power company can trim the bill now.

The bigger picture

A grant fixes the house. The other half is seeing where your power and heating money actually goes each month, so the saving is visible. That's what Steady is built for: connect your NZ accounts and it shows your real spend by category, including power, so a cheaper winter shows up as money you keep.

The bottom line

If you own a pre-2008 home and winter is expensive, spend ten minutes checking Warmer Kiwi Homes for 2026, especially if you were knocked back before. Insulation first, then a heat pump, with the government covering most of the bill.

_Grant amounts, caps and eligibility are set by EECA and can change. Always confirm the current details on the official EECA Warmer Kiwi Homes page before applying._