Why Insulate My Home?

50 to 70% of the energy used in an average home accounts from heating and cooling. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Insulation saves money and our country’s energy resources; it makes your home more comfortable by maintaining a uniform temperature throughout the home and makes walls, ceilings and floors warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The energy you conserve will depend on many factors including: the size and shape of your home, the type of heating and cooling systems and the fuel you use and climate. By insulating your home you will conserve energy and save money which is even more important as rates are on the increase. Heat naturally flows from a warm space to a cooler space. In winter the heat moves from all heated areas to unheated areas like attics, garages and outdoors, wherever there is a difference in temperature. In the summer time the opposite occurs, heat moves from outdoors to inside the home. To live in comfort the heat you lose in the winter must be replaced by your heating system and in the summer the heat removed by your air conditioning. Insulating your home will decrease the energy needed to warm and cool these areas. Fibre glass batts, blankets, loose fill, polyester and polystyrene insulation all work by limiting air movement.

What is an R-Value?

Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value of thermal insulation depends on the type of material, its thickness, and its density. In calculating the R-value of a multi-layered installation, the R-values of the individual layers are added. Insulation placed between joists, rafters, and studs does not retard heat flow through those joists or studs. This heat flow is called thermal bridging. So, the overall R-value of a wall or ceiling will be somewhat different from the R-value of the insulation itself. That is why it is important that attic insulation cover the tops of the joists and wherever possible we use a blanket.

Insulation Product Types

Some types of insulation require professional installation, and others you can install yourself. You should consider the several forms of insulation available, their R-values, and the thickness needed. The type of insulation you use will be determined by the nature of the spaces in the house that you plan to insulate. The different forms of insulation can be used together. For example, you can add batt or roll insulation over loose-fill insulation, or vice-versa. Usually, material of higher density (weight per unit volume) should not be placed on top of lower density insulation that is easily compressed. Doing so will reduce the thickness of the material underneath and thereby lower its R-value.

Does Your Home Need More Insulation?

Adding insulation will probably reduce your utility bills. Most of the existing houses in New Zealand were not insulated to the levels we use today. Older homes are likely to use more energy than new homes leading to higher heating bills. Thanks to the EECA Energywise Heat up NZ subsidy program Kiwis are given the opportunity to save up to $1300 on insulating their homes. To find out more and how we can help ensure your home is well insulated Contact Us for a free no-obligation quote now.

For impartial free advice on insulation and clean heating visit energyadvice