A project piloted in Foxton has seen 80 per cent of the town's homes become insulated.

Warm Up Foxton was launched in 2011, offering all homeowners in the town's residential zone a heavily reduced price on home insulation, as long as their home was built before 2000.

Community Services Card holders were able to get insulation free of charge, while everyone else was in line for a discount of up to 70 per cent.

Funding was provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Autex Industries, PowerShed and Horowhenua District Council.

PowerShed managing director Andrew Pegler said a recent survey of the town found that 80 per cent of Foxton homes were now insulated.

While some were insulated beforehand, the scheme had seen 600 homes insulated, he said.

Horowhenua Mayor Brendan Duffy said he was glad so many people had taken up the opportunity, with benefits likely to stretch on for years to come.

"Every house eligible to be insulated means we will have healthier people.

"Children will have better chances of being more attentive in school."

Installing insulation would also raise the value of homes, he said.

"There's so many spin-offs there."

Mr Duffy said he was proud the town had led the way.

Mr Pelger said there were a variety of reasons why some homes were not eligible.

"The key reasons for not being able to insulate all of the houses in Foxton were inaccessibility of ceiling and underfloor areas."

Some people believed they did not need insulation, or still could not afford it despite most people eligible for a subsidy of at least 70 per cent on the cost of insulation, he said.

So far, $2.1 million has been spent on the project.

People have until Friday to register for the funding, and can call 0800 RU COLD for more information.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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