From 2009, the Federal Government is expected to offer landlords a rebate to install insulation in rental properties. It is also expected to offer homeowners a $10,000 interest free loan for energy efficient home inclusions. NSW and Victoria already offer rebates on the total cost of installation and WA offers a rebate program for nominated regional areas.
The NSW rebate covers half the cost of installing ceiling insulation in a home, up to a maximum of $300. In Victoria, a 30 per cent rebate is offered, up to a maximum of $300. For concession card holders, the rebate can be higher. While conditions apply for these rebates, they offer good incentives to retrofit insulation.
Dennis D’Arcy, chief executive officer of the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ), says energy efficiency is recognised as important to government climate change policy. “Insulation requirements will increase if the government is to meet its short-, medium- and long-term targets,” he says.
Accessibility is the main issue when retrofitting insulation. According to PK Mohan, national category manager at Fletcher Insulation, it is easier to insulate a ceiling than a wall. “This is because much of the external cladding or internal plasterboard must be removed to allow insulation to be fitted,” Mohan says. “As long as there is access to the roof space, a retrofit ceiling can be insulated, but accessing the roof space may involve lifting roof tiles if there is no man-hole.” Safety issues also include down-lights should not be covered or halogens will overheat. Other issues to be aware of can include old electrical wiring and wiring in old steel conduits.
Typically, bulk insulation in the form of ceiling batts best suits retrofitting apartments and single dwellings. A composite blanket with reflective foil and reflective foil products are best installed directly under the roof at the time of construction. Derek Munn, technical manager at CSR Bradford, says almost all single-dwelling homes with loft access can be insulated, but the structure of multiple-dwelling residences can preclude retrofitting without a large-scale renovation of the building.
“Glasswool batts are ideal for retrofitting because they are cost-effective and easy to install, especially in the roof,” Munn says. “CSR Bradford specialises in the manufacture of glasswool and rockwool batts that come in a comprehensive range of R-values. They are guaranteed not to rot or pack down for the life of the house and they have a ‘four zero’ fire rating. CSR Bradford’s Gold Batts are specially stiffened to stand upright in cavity walls and not droop down over time. They also contain additives which act as a water repellent.”
Fletcher Insulation products are the first Australian glasswool insulation products to be licensed to use the Eco-label and are made from over 70 per cent recycled glass. This includes the full range of Pink Batts, Silencer, Sonobatts, Insulco Fat Batts & Acousti-Therm. Fletcher Insulation products also carry the Goldmark label issued by the Australia Building Codes Board. They are lifetime warranted, fire resistant and once fitted, require no further maintenance.
“Specifiers, builders and contractors should ensure the thickness of wall batts do not exceed stud cavity size. A range of wall batts are manufactured to suit various stud thicknesses,” Mohan says.
Dick Clarke, director of Envirotecture, says the number one challenge with retrofitting apartments is the body corporate. He says that other challenges involve penetrating cavities, height and scaffolding costs. If roofs are accessible, Clarke recommends a combination of reflective foil below the roofing and bulk insulation on the ceiling. “Usually access from above is best, such as lifting the roofing and installing multiple layers of reflective foil, as there may not be room for bulk as well. For cavity brick walls, you can drill holes and inject granulated rockwool. It requires patching and painting, or at least re-mortaring if it’s facebrick.”
Choosing the right insulation and installing it in the right way can cut energy bills and greenhouse emissions, especially for the 40 per cent of Australian homes which have no ceiling insulation.
