Rising Power Costs Puts Health At Risk

With a hike in power prices and cooler nights on the way,
energy poverty is about to become more widespread in New
Zealand.

Energy poverty – where a household is not
able to afford power to provide a healthy home – it can pose
serious health risks, especially for those living with
respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.

Asthma
and Respiratory Foundation Chief Executive Letitia Harding
says she is deeply saddened that so many New Zealanders are
in this position.

“Cold, damp homes significantly
worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD,
leading to more hospital visits and poorer health outcomes
overall.

“It’s heartbreaking that people have to
choose between heating their home and protecting their
health.”

From today, April 1, the average household
power bill will increase by about $10 per month.

Many
families are already facing desperate choices, with Consumer
NZ estimating that last year, 140,000 households had to take
out a loan to pay their electricity bills, and 38,000
households were disconnected because they couldn’t pay
their electricity bill at least once.

Energy poverty
is not just a financial issue but a public health crisis, Ms
Harding says.

“The health system is spending over $38
million per year treating illnesses linked to cold, damp
housing.

“Poor indoor air quality and inadequate
heating contribute to respiratory flare-ups, infections, and
hospital admissions,” she says.

“Māori and Pacific
communities, who are overrepresented in low-income
households, are disproportionately affected.”

Phil
Squire, Fair Energy Manager at Toast Electric (New
Zealand’s only not-for-profit electricity supplier), says
that while insulation and heat pump products can make
housing in Aotearoa warmer and healthier, people need to
feel confident about using heating without feeling worried
about unforeseen power costs.

“The reality is, without
access to affordable power, Kiwis in low-income situations
are reluctant to turn on any heating for fear of
unexpectedly high energy bills.”

The optimal healthy
temperature for a home is 18-21 degrees, Mr Squire
says.

“So at Toast we do everything we can to help
whānau feel educated on how to use their heating
efficiently, feel confident to turn it on, and ensure their
home has adequate insulation and other items like lined
curtains and draught stopping to keep that heat
in.”

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