No-interest loans still available in city

Press, 7 April 1987, Page 29

No-interest loans still available in city

Although the Christchurch City Council’s Municipal Electricity Department has not been immune to the restructuring process it still has Government-approved, in-terest-free loans available for citizens converting domestic open fires to electrical heating. This loan is also available to householders converting their wetback water heating systems to electricity only. The scheme provides for interest-free advances to be made to home owners with properties within the area covered by the Clean Air Zones order for the Canterbury region. A ceiling of $l5OO is set for the loan, but the amount advanced will depend on the work to be done and should be within the following price limitations. For the installation of an electric water heating cylinder, including plumbing and electric wiring for a 40 gallon cylinder the limit is $650. For a 60 gallon unit it is $B5O. The ceiling for installation of electric heater and wiring is $650. New mains and associated work has a maximum level of $350. Other forms of inciden-

tai work such as carpentry and redecorating is limited to $4OO. There are some other conditions that consumers must adhere to in order to qualify for the loan. Where hot water cylinders are replaced all wetbacks in the house must be disconnected. The open fire to be replaced must be situated in the main living-room of the dwelling. The loan, “Shall be used toward providing a permanently fixed and connected thermostatically controlled electric space heater constructed to meet the safety requirements of NZ5.1999,” the information brochure states. “The installation and wiring of the electric space heater and/or hot water cylinder must comply with the Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976 for which a permit is required from the M.E.D.” On taking out this loan the householder is required to sign a statutory declaration that after signing the premises concerned will form part of the declared Clean Air Zone and be subject to the conditions relating thereto.