This report presents the results of a survey of domestic heating methods and fuels carried out in 29 urban areas of New Zealand. The purpose of the survey was to collect information to be used in the assessment of measures to reduce PM10 (suspended particles) emissions from domestic home heating in these areas. Additional information was collected on house variables including insulation, cost of heating, number of bedrooms, age of dwelling, household tenure and income. The latter information will help in the development of strategies to achieve warmer houses in New Zealand.
In addition to the 29 urban areas, a separate survey was carried out across the whole of New Zealand to represent average data. Once again, the aim was to help in the development of strategies to achieve warmer houses in New Zealand.
The survey results showed significant variations in heating methods across different urban areas. The use of wood burners to heat the main living area ranged from 67% of households in Masterton to 14% in Hamilton. The use of multi-fuel burners ranged from 1% in Richmond and Christchurch to 68% in Reefton. Other areas where more than 10% of households used multi-fuel burners included Invercargill, Gore, Westport, Alexandra, Masterton, Timaru, Balclutha, Cromwell, Mosgiel, Milton, Oamaru and Arrowtown. The use of open fires to heat the main living area was most common in Arrowtown (15% of dwellings) and least common in Alexandra (2% of dwellings). Pellet-style burners were most common in Rangiora and Gore (3% of dwellings). Electricity use was highest in Dunedin, with 77% of respondents using electricity in the main living area. Around 21% of households using electricity in Dunedin had heat pumps, while 40% used portable oil column heaters. Nationwide, 13% of respondents using electricity in their main living areas used heat pumps.
Executive summary
November 2005
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