The Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) welcomed the Federal Government’s building energy efficiency improvement package as a significant and much needed response to a major challenge.

Dennis D'Arcy, ICANZ CEO said, “Around 40 per cent of Australian homes are still uninsulated and are continuing burdens on the economy, the environment and households. The Federal Government has recognised that immediate and affirmative action is needed if we are to achieve significant and long-lasting benefits.”

D’Arcy said that the Federal Government’s insulation initiative will deliver major benefits to the environment, community, building occupants, homeowners and economy.

“Retrofitting Australia’s 2.2 million uninsulated homes with effective ceiling insulation will reduce the need for additional power generation capacity and help to smooth out peaks in energy demand.”

“Insulating homes also will deliver direct benefits to the environment through significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. “

He said, “Effective insulation is the cornerstone of improving the energy efficiency of Australian homes and makes homes more affordable and more liveable.

“Householders and homeowners will benefit through the savings on the cost of heating and cooling and also through improved comfort levels and wellbeing, especially during times of temperature extremes,” he said.

Mr D’Arcy added that the package was also of obvious benefit the to insulation industry and will do much to support jobs and job creation during a time of economic difficulty.