Ceiling insulation in Auckland- What R-Value?

 

Auckland’s climate is characterised by pleasant warm summers and cool winters. When the weather outside is even just a few degrees hotter or colder than your preferred indoor temperature, then the solution is thermal insulation.

Ceiling insulation R-Value matters

Without ceiling insulation, the indoor temperature will ‘follow’ the outside temperate, and even with a heater on, you will likely find yourself struggling to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, especially on chilly winter evenings. The solution is ceiling insulation with a sufficient R-Value. Bulk insulation such as glasswool and polyester contains millions of tiny air-pockets. These drastically slow down the heat transfer process, which is how insulation works. A thicker insulation segment will have a higher R-Value, and will be more effective.

Analysis: Benefits of insulation vs cost

Doubling the insulation R-Value will not double the energy efficiency of your home. The law of diminishing returns is very applicable here. And it’s not a fixed equation either – should energy prices skyrocket a few years down the track, then there may be many home owners wishing that they’d installed a higher R-Value at the time. We are frequently asked, ‘How much does it cost to insulate a house?’ The real question, however, considering energy prices on the rise, is ‘How much will it cost me NOT to insulate a house?’

What we recommend at Pricewise Insulation

As a rule of thumb, if you’re building a new home or installing ceiling insulation in a new home in or around Auckland, we recommend R3.6 or higher. This is typically around 17cm thick, and provides a good level of thermal protection. Upgrading to an R4.1 or above will moderately increase the energy efficiency of your home, and could also result in real $$ savings if energy prices continue to rise.

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