Amend Healthy Homes Standards: mandate reverse-cycle heat pumps

What is the Topic?

This petition asks the New Zealand Government to change the Healthy Homes Standards. These are rules that set minimum requirements for heating, cooling, insulation, and ventilation in rental homes. The petition specifically requests that any new or replacement fixed heater must be a reverse-cycle heat pump. In plain English, this is a machine that can both heat a room in winter and cool it in summer, similar to an air conditioner but more energy-efficient. The petition also asks for expanded financial help, such as grants and zero-interest loans, to help landlords and tenants pay for these upgrades.

Current Situation

New Zealand has experienced increasingly hot and dry summers in recent years, with several heatwaves causing health concerns. The current Healthy Homes Standards, introduced in 2019, focus primarily on ensuring homes are warm enough in winter. They do not currently mandate cooling systems. As climate change leads to more frequent extreme heat events, some argue that the current rules are outdated and do not protect residents from summer heat stress. The Warmer Kiwi Homes program currently provides grants to improve home energy efficiency, but the petition argues these funds need to be expanded to cover cooling technology.

Arguments in Favour

• Health and Safety: Access to cooling is essential for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with chronic health conditions, to prevent heat-related illness.
• Energy Efficiency: Reverse-cycle heat pumps are generally more efficient than portable air conditioners, potentially lowering long-term energy bills for households.
• Climate Adaptation: Mandating cooling prepares the housing stock for a warmer climate, reducing reliance on inefficient, temporary cooling solutions.

Arguments Against

• Cost and Burden: Installing heat pumps is expensive. Critics argue that mandating this for all rental properties places a significant financial burden on landlords, which may be passed on to tenants through higher rents.
• Practicality: Not all homes are suitable for heat pump installation due to structural issues, lack of power supply, or heritage restrictions. A one-size-fits-all mandate may be difficult to enforce.
• Scope Creep: Some argue that the Healthy Homes Standards should remain focused on basic winter warmth and that cooling is a separate issue that should be addressed through different policy mechanisms.

Relevant Context

The Healthy Homes Standards apply to all new rental agreements and existing tenancies when the tenant changes. According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the standards aim to reduce the number of homes that are too cold, damp, or poorly ventilated. Recent heatwaves have highlighted gaps in public health infrastructure regarding extreme heat. The petition targets the House of Representatives to urge legislative or regulatory changes, rather than relying solely on voluntary adoption by landlords. Affected parties include landlords, tenants, and the construction and energy sectors.

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