Insulation
In an average Australian home, the energy used for heating and cooling equates to almost 40% of your total annual energy bill. Installing insulation can make your home more comfortable and will significantly reduce the energy you use for heating and cooling.
How does insulation work?
There are different types of insulation which can be installed in your ceiling, roof, walls and floors to improve your home's thermal performance, working to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
What types of insulation are available?
There are two basic types of insulation - reflective foils and bulk. These two types are sometimes combined into a composite material.
Reflective foils have one or more highly reflective surfaces. Best used in the roof, they are designed to reduce radiant heat from entering your home.
Bulk insulation products include batts, mats, blankets, boards, loose fills, foam and composites (reflective and bulk). These are designed to reduce the heat flow through building materials. This insulation works the same way a quilt does on a winter's night, trapping heat inside the home and keeping the cold out.
Bulk insulation products can be made from a variety of materials such as:
- Polyester - flexible mats or batts made from polyester fibres (including recycled PET bottles)
- Fibreglass or glasswool - made from melted glass spun into a flexible mat or batt of fine fibres
- Natural wool - blankets and batts made from sheep's wool
- Rockwool - made from volcanic rock melted at high temperatures and spun into a mat or batt of fine fibres
- Loose-fill insulation - shredded or granulated material made from cellulose, natural wool or granulated rockwool. The product is loose (not in the form of batts) and is used in cavities difficult to access.
For further information on insulation types visit:
Your Home - Australian Government technical manual:
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs47.html
Sustainability Victoria:
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Insulation_types.pdf
R-Value
The R-value is the measure of the product's ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the level of insulation. To be eligible for the Australian Government insulation rebate you must meet local government insulation R-values. The minimum recommended R-value for Sydney homes is R3.2 - 3.7 for ceilings and R1.9 - 2.2 in walls.
What you need to know about insulation
Before purchasing insulation consider the following information:
- What is the price per square metre?
- Will the insulation type fit in the available space?
- Does the insulation product require professional installers or can you do-it-yourself?
- Is personal protective equipment such as a mask required?
Environmental considerations:
- Is the insulation made from recycled content?
- Can it be recycled after use?
- Is it Australian made?
Alternative measures to reduce heat gains and losses (other than insulation):
- Use white surfaces to reflect heat and dark surfaces to absorb heat
- Use blinds, curtains and shutters
- Double glaze windows
- Seal windows and doors with draught tape
- Retrofit with awnings and overhangs
- Use a door snake
Health and Safety - insulation around appliances and fittings:
- Allow clearance around appliances and fittings:
- The minimum default clearance distance for installation around a halogen lamp is 200 millimetres and 50 millimetres for recessed incandescent lights and lighting transformers.
- Do not install insulation within 90 millimetres of exhaust fans and hot flues.
- A licensed electrician should inspect the insulation and fittings to ensure it is safely covered.
- When renovating your home ensure the halogen downlights do not come into contact with existing ceiling insulation.
- If your thermal insulation is not in a fixed position, a barrier or guard made from fire resistant material should be secured to maintain necessary clearance from the loose fill.
Rebates
The Australian Government has announced a new household Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme to replace the Home Insulation Program and the Solar Hot Water Rebate Program, both of which are discontinued as of close of business 19 February 2010.
The insulation component of the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme is expected to come into operation by 1 June 2010.
Further information about the Home Insulation Program will be provided on the Australian Government website in the near future. Householders can contact the Australian Government on 1800 808 571 if they require information in the meantime.
