Building or renovating? A good strong door, a fresh coat of paint, a well landscaped front yard, new fittings in the bathroom – what you see is often what you get, and if it looks good, then you’ll probably be happy with the result. With insulation segments it’s a bit different. It’s not as visible and home renovators will often “uhm” and “ah” about thermal and acoustic insulation..
Do I really need it? Will it make a difference? How much R-value should I invest in? Will thermal be enough, or should I invest in thermal-and-acoustic (sound) insulation segments also? And perhaps deep down inside there’s this uncomfortable cynic, not convinced that there will be any real benefit. So what are the magic benefits of thermal insulation..? And will you notice any difference?
Grants Still Available for Insulation NZ
Many older homes have no insulation in the walls, and (though hard to believe, considering how long the Warm Up New Zealand – Healthy Homes programme has been running), there are still New Zealand homes without even any ceiling insulation. Landlords have just over a year (until July 2019) to fit their rental properties out with adequate ceiling insulation, in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act. Grants are still available to home owners or rented homes whose tenants have a community services card or have health problems associated with cold or damp housing. The grants provide 50 percent of the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation. Over 300,000 existing homes have been insulated since the start of the programme in 2009 and the health benefits of insulation NZ have been substantial. There has been a significant reduction in hospitalizations, including the number of asthma sufferers being admitted to hospital.
Year Round Indoor Comfort with Ceiling Insulation
Quite simply, an insulated ceiling increases indoor comfort – all year round, but especially noticeable during the hottest and coldest months of the year. Insulation segments contain literally millions of invisible air-pockets. These restrict the transfer of heat and cold through one of the most exposed areas of the house – the roof / ceiling area. Installing insulation in ceiling spaces is relatively straightforward. Usually the insulation segments will simply be installed between the ceiling joists, but in the case of habitable attic conversions, then more creative solution needs to be found, since the ceiling cavity itself then needs to be kept at a reasonable temperature. The solution here is to focus on the area immediately underneath the roof itself – typically a combination of foil and bulk insulation will provide the required result.
Year Round Energy Savings
Insulation segments, correctly installed in the walls and ceilings will vastly reduce the amount of energy required to heat the house in winter, and keep it cool in summer. In fact, a proper level of insulation can more than halve your electricity bill! Does installing insulation in the underfloor make a difference too? Yes, not only will you create a more comfortable flooring temperature, you will also save on your energy bills. So, comfort factors aside, thermal insulation is a logical investment which in simple dollars terms, will usually “pay itself off” after only a few years.