Council staff initially planned to install hundreds of heat pumps in cold, damp and uninsulated social housing units by summer – breaching a council resolution to complete the work by winter. Christchurch City councillors voted in September to borrow $10 million towards the $16m cost to upgrade 909 social housing units with heat pumps and mechanical ventilation "by winter 2020". The email, seen by Stuff, said contractors would first install heat pumps, kitchen and bathroom ventilation in about 430 homes by May 2020. READ MORE:* Christchurch mayor says heat pumps 'on track' for social housing by winter* New 90-home Christchurch social housing complex promoting green credentials* 900 ageing, uninsulated Christchurch flats were supposed to get heat pumps by winter. STACY SQUIRES/STUFF Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel and mayoral election candidate John Minto at the Barnett Ave social housing complex in 2019.

Source: Stuff January 29, 2020 16:52 UTC