Ceiling insulation

Why it’s important

Insulation is a material that slows the flow of heat. Many homes built before 1997 in the ACT have little or no ceiling insulation. As ceiling insulation ages, it can compress or become damaged, reducing its effectiveness. These homes are cold in winter and hot in summer.

Upgrading your current ceiling insulation will help keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It will also reduce the need to use heating or cooling appliances as often, potentially lowering your energy costs.

What is an R-value?

An R-value is used to describe how well insulation slows the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation will be at keeping your home a healthy and comfortable temperature all year round. In the ACT, ceiling insulation should have an R-value of at least R5.0.

Insulation products

Insulation upgrades can sometimes mean putting more insulation on top of your existing insulation. This is known as a ‘top up’. Other times, your old insulation will need to be removed and replaced with new insulation.

There are different types of insulation that can be installed, including batts (or rolls of insulation) and non-cellulose loose-fill which is blown into the roof cavity. The insulation materials that are used must comply with Australian Standards.

Your approved insulation supplier will tell you what is needed once they have assessed your current ceiling insulation.

If you are having insulation replaced rather than a ‘top up’, ensure the quote includes the cost to remove and dispose of the old insulation.

Insulation materials should have a 25-year product warranty.

The Australian Government ‘Your Home’ website includes links to websites that provide environmental comparisons of different insulation products as well as general information on insulation and R-values https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/insulation.

How do I identify my current insulation level?

• An Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) report usually includes the R-value of the property’s insulation. If you purchased your property after 1997 you will have received an EER report as part of the sale contract.
• You can estimate the R-value of your ceiling insulation if you know the type and thickness of the insulation you have. For safety reasons you should not enter the roof space to determine this unless you have appropriate training, including asbestos awareness training.
• You can hire a licensed building assessor to determine the R-value of ceiling insulation in your property.
• Certified insulation installers can also inspect your ceiling and determine the R-value of the existing insulation.

Home Energy Support Program requirements

• You must upgrade your ceiling insulation to an R-value of at least R5.0 as part of the Home Energy Support Program.
• Insulation materials must comply with Australian Standards. Insulation materials that must not be used include foil laminated products, loose-fill cellulose products and any products that do not comply with Australian Standards.
• The contract for installing insulation is between you and the installer as per the Guidelines for participating in this Program.
  1. The approved installer is responsible for installing the insulation in your home in a safe manner. Contact the certified installer if you have concerns about this. Alternatively, if you witness unsafe work practices and wish to make a report to WorkSafe ACT, call 132281.
  2. Any after sales service or warranty related matter should be taken up with the installer. For consumer information or to lodge a complaint about a business or trader visit the Fair Trading Portal at Access Canberra.

• An Electrical Safety Inspection Report is required.
  1. Before insulation is installed, the certified installer must arrange for a licensed electrician to carry out an electrical safety inspection. The cost of this inspection needs to be itemised in the quote.
  2. The electrical safety inspection is required to ensure the safety of installers and to manage risk.
  3. The electrician must provide the installer and the property owner with a copy of the Electrical Safety Inspection Report, indicating it is safe to proceed or noting any electrical risks that must be fixed first.
     • If the Electrical Safety Inspection Report identifies that electrical upgrades are required, the installer will engage a licenced electrician to advise on and fix the electrical issues before the insulation is installed.
     • If electrical upgrades are required, a revised quote that includes the cost of the electrical upgrade will need to be submitted to the ACT Government for re- confirmation of your rebate approval.
  4. The electrician will provide an updated copy of the Electrical Safety Inspection Report indicating that upgrades were completed and that it is safe to start the installation. The electrician must also submit a Certificate of Electrical Safety to Access Canberra.
  5. If, after the Electrical Safety Inspection Report, you decide not to proceed with the insulation installation, you will still be responsible for the cost of the electrical safety inspection.

* The Electrical Safety Inspection Report may identify electrical safety issues unrelated to the installation of insulation. The electrician has an obligation to share these risks with property owners. For safety reasons, you should make these upgrades that may be unrelated to insulation and not included as part of the HESP rebate.

Other things to consider

• When the work is complete the property owner and the installer should have a copy of the Electrical Safety Inspection Report and the Certificate of Electrical Safety.
• You can receive a rebate of 50% of the total installation price, capped at $2,500, to ‘top up’ or replace ceiling insulation. The total R-value must be R5.0 or higher.
• You must be installing or upgrading insulation in an existing home. New builds are not eligible to receive a Home Energy Support rebate.
• Rebates are not currently available under the Program for wall or underfloor insulation.
• The approved installer is responsible for installing the insulation in your home in a safe manner. Contact the certified installer if you have concerns. Alternatively, if you witness unsafe work practices and wish to make a report to WorkSafe ACT, call 132281.
• Any after sales service or warranty related matter should be taken up with the installer. For consumer information or to lodge a complaint about a business or trader visit the Access Canberra Fair Trading Portal.

Contact us

We are here to help. If you need some help with forms or have any questions, please call the ACT Government’s free Sustainable Home Advice Line:

Phone: 1300 141 777

Email: homeenergysupport@act.gov.au