Our mission is to get effective curtains added to the Healthy Homes Standards
This will make a huge difference to people’s health and the warmth of their home
Every year, tens of thousands of Kiwis are hospitalised with conditions made worse by cold, damp housing, with elderly, Māori and Pacific families far more likely to be affected. Illnesses range from the common cold, through to potentially fatal illnesses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rheumatic fever.
The government has mandated insulation and heating but not curtains through the Healthy Homes Standards. This is a problem because even in a well insulated home, without effective window coverings, up to 45% of the heat is flying directly out the window.
Why heat the neighbourhood when we can heat the home just by installing curtains.
Double-lined, full length (best-practice) curtains can reduce heat loss by up to 45% [source: Consumer.co.nz]
Widespread adoption of effective curtains would have significant health, wellbeing, and energy-efficiency benefits.
On average Curtain Banks support over 1,200 whānau with 9,300 curtains annually. This is made possible by a committed team of volunteers who donate around 11,500 hours of labour each year.
We hope to make New Zealanders more aware of best-practice curtains, and make that information readily accessible.
Crucially, we implore the government to amend the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations, so best-practice curtains are made part of minimum rental standards. This will help reduce the burden on the health system, lower power bills for vulnerable Kiwis, and reduce energy consumption at peak times.
