Insulation
Home insulation is the addition of material to walls, floors and ceilings to reduce heat being transferred into and out of buildings. It improves energy efficiency and home comfort by helping keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
How can it help me save money and emissions?
With Victorians spending on average up to $800/year on heating, installing insulation remains one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and home comfort, while lowering your carbon footprint by minimising energy use.
Sustainability Victoria estimates a home which is fully insulated could reduce the cost of heating and cooling by around 45% per year (compared to one without insulation). They also estimate the addition of bulk insulation, either to new or existing homes, can pay for itself over a period of five to six years.
How do I get it?
Insulation combined with a range of draughtproofing techniques can improve your home’s ability to keep cool in summer and warm in winter. Ceiling, floor or wall insulation can be installed or replaced by a tradesperson, or you can DIY. If you decide to install your own insulation, take care to minimise risks to yourself and your property.
Depending on your home’s configuration, roof space and underfloor insultation is relatively straightforward to install yourself, as these areas are easier to access. However, attention to detail during installation is critical, as small gaps can significantly reduce insulation effectiveness.
Installing wall insulation in existing homes can be complex for DIY, as gaining access to these areas generally involves removing exterior weatherboards or interior plasterboards. Blow-in wall insulation is a less invasive solution but requires a specialist installer.
You also need to think about what type of insulation is best for your home. Considerations include your home’s external building material, how large your wall cavities are, environmental options, and if soundproofing is a priority.
Excellent DIY video guides can be found at Energy Tips, which provides instructions on how to install roof and floor insulation and lists the equipment you need.
Currently home insulation is not eligible to receive a rebate through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program. However, a review into reintroducing insulation into this program is currently underway.
Resources:
Energy Tips – Insulation and Draught Proofing
Sustainability Victoria – Home insulation materials