Insulation
Regretably insulation has received a bad rap of late when in reality it is a most effective and economical element in making your home efficient and sustainable.
A well insulated home is up to 10 degrees warmer in winter and up to 7 degrees cooler in summer and can save as much as $500 per year in reduced energy costs.
The overriding rule with energy efficiency is always to reduce consumption first, so before spending money on other solutions insulation should be considered top of the list. Insulation allows you to improve energy efficiency at home without having to change your behaviour or compromise on convenience and in return it will improve the comfort of your home.
Some commonly asked questions about insulation
What is an R-value?
R-value is a measure of thermal resistance in a laboratory. In simple terms, this thermal resistance depends on the number of air pockets in the insulation. Because air is a poor conductor of heat, the more air pockets the better. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.
What are the R Values available?
There are a lot of R values used based on the Climate Zones. For NSW recommended are R3.5. Batts come in R3.0 / R3.5 / R4.0 etc.
What is the difference between Product R Values & System R value?
The product R value is the R value of the material e.g.R3.5. In System R Value we calculate the R value of the Roof material, Sarking, Air Space, Batts & Plasterboard. This would in a normal house push the total system R value to approx R4.1
Are batts a proven means of insulation?
Yes, batts have been used for insulating Australian homes for over 50 years, they are proven performers, improving comfort in the home by reducing heat gain/loss through walls and ceilings.
How much difference will it make inside the house?
The inside temperature in summer is reduced by up to 8-12°C in your home. You can immediately feel the difference. Stays naturally warm in winter and cool in summer.
Do they help in reducing heating / cooling costs? Batts help in reducing heating/cooling costs by up to 40%.
How much energy bill can I save?
In a properly insulated house you can save money on energy costs from $400 to $500 per year. It depends on a lot of other factors but this would be an average. Appliances like air-conditioners and heaters work more efficiently.
Are they fire safe?
Yes they are safe due to superior fire performance being non combustible*.
I suffer from allergies / asthma. Are they safe for me?
Yes they are safe to use with allergy sufferers due to low VOC content. In fact they improve the health of the home as they form an effective barrier against dust and allergens.
Are they environment friendly?
Batts help reduce the impact on the environment. They reduce approx. 2.2 T of green house gases emitted from homes. They also reduce the use of non-renewable resources as they are made from (up to) 70% recycled glass that would otherwise go to land fill. Batts are a sustainable product.
Are they safe, will they disintegrate like other products?
Batts are safe. Due to bonded fibres they do not move around in the attic space or enter the home.
What is the life of the product?
Batts are guaranteed for the life of the home.
Will their performance diminish over time?
No. Batts will perform for the life of the home. As they do not settle - thereby providing optimum performance for the life of the home.
I have down-lights in my ceiling. Is there any danger to my house?
Safe to use with halogen down-lights and we install down light covers.
Why insulate Ceilings?
Ceiling insulation will help to slow the transfer of heat into or out of the home and can save you up to 45% on the level of energy required to heat or cool your home. Basically, if your ceiling is not insulated, warm air generated by heating systems in winter would end up in the roof space, while in summer, heat building up in the roof space will enter your home.
Types of insulation available
Examples of Bulk insulation products that are commonly used include:
Glasswool, Polyester, Rockwool, Wool blend, Cellulose - loose fill insulation
Are batts safe?
There are no health concerns from using glasswool insulation. They have been classified according to the criteria of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) as non-hazardous. Glasswool products are also classified as Low Allergen as they emit no measurable volatile organic compounds, which are known to trigger allergies. The fibres are bonded and minimise risk of fibre migration around the ceiling space or into the home thereby creating a healthier home for asthmatics and allergy suffers.
What are Batts made from?
Glasswool batts are made from 65 - 70% recycled bottle or plate glass which would have gone into the landfill and 9% sand. It is melted down and spun into a matt of fibres.
How is glasswool superior to other types of insulation?
- It is the most preferred type of insulation worldwide
- They are sized to fit snugly between ceiling joists
- Glasswool batts will not settle, shrink or move. Once they are fitted you can forget them for a lifetime of the house
- They come in a range of R values from R3.0 to R6.0
- Glasswool batts will reduce the amount of CO2 production and will help you make your home energy efficient. They are made from recycled materials
- Glasswool batts will help you save money and will reduce your energy bill (heating and cooling) by up to 40%
- They are fire resistant and will not burn
What are my next steps to consider Insulation?
Contact your local Green Solar Solutions location or call us on 1300 805 405 (alternatively you can also
submit an enquiry online). We can also arrange for one of our Home Sustainability Assessors to provide a free assessment of your home and recommend a total energy efficiency solution for you.
