Insulation

Reduce warmth escaping in winter and heat entering in summer by insulating your home. Good insulation in your roof, walls and floor saves you money on your heating and cooling bills. It also improves the comfort of your house.

Types of insulation

The higher the R-value (thermal resistance) of insulation the more it slows heat flow and the better it insulates. Use at least R5 for the ceiling. Use R2 in the walls and under suspended floors or around slab edges.

There are 2 types of insulation products (bulk and reflective) that work in different ways. Ask an insulation retailer to help you choose the right type of insulation product for your situation.

When building or renovating, install high R-value wall insulation.

Installing insulation

Make sure your insulation installer is trained to meet relevant Australian Standards. They also have to certify your installation meets relevant Australian Standards.

Have your wiring inspected by a licensed electrician to ensure it can be safely covered by insulation and ask about the mandatory clearances around light fittings and transformers.

Insulation must:

• not compromise the fire safety of recessed lights
• allow safety clearances around exhaust fans, hot flues, recessed light fittings, transformers
• fit snugly between ceiling joists (allowing for batt-type insulation to expand to its natural thickness).

For reflective foil, a still air gap of at least 25 mm is required between it and the associated surface. It should also be clear of recessed light fittings and exhaust fans.

We offer interest-free loans through the Sustainable Household Scheme. You can use this toward the cost of installing energy-efficient products, including insulation.

Cover your windows

Maximise heat control with close-fitting lined curtains and blinds.

Lined curtains and properly fitted blinds with box or corflute pelmets can seal in warmth in winter and keep the heat out in summer. In winter, open them during the day and close them at night to keep your home warm.

In summer, close curtains, blinds, windows and doors during the day. Open them in the evening when temperatures fall to let evening breezes cool your home.

When choosing or making curtains:

• make sure curtains go all the way to the floor and wrap to the wall on either side of your window
• line your curtains with ‘blockout’ backing to prevent radiant loss (and reduce summer gain)
• use tightly woven materials, trapping air in as many layers as possible.

Seal cracks and gaps

Cracks and gaps in houses can account for 10% to 15% of heat loss.

Use an incense stick held near your doors and windows to see which way the smoke is blowing and how quickly it moves. This can indicate gaps that need filling. You might also hear rattling or whistling when it is windy. You can ask a professional to do an air-leakage analysis on your house.

Fix gaps cost-effectively by:

• fitting draught excluders under doors
• fitting foam strips around windows
• sealing around skirting boards, architraves, vents, lights or window frames with a sealant, expanding foam or gap filler rod (check the manufacturer’s label for directions)
• fitting draught seals to the base of doors (both internal and external doors)
• fitting seals to gaps around door frames
• fitting covers on exhaust fans which vent straight into the roof (these open when the fan is in use but stop draughts at other times)
• covering evaporative cooler vents with magnetised vent covers
• sealing any unnecessary permanent vents (often found in the walls and ceilings of old homes) unless you are using unflued gas heaters.

Watch our DIY videos to help draught-proof your home.

If you do have an unflued gas heater, we recommend you replace it immediately as they produce dangerous carbon monoxide fumes. And if you use a wood heater, seek professional advice before draught-proofing your home.

Find out more about replacing your wood heater.