Home insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow, reducing unwanted heat loss or heat gain in your home. Choosing to insulate your home can be a great investment! You may end up cutting your energy bills in half, and it is said that insulation can pay itself off within a few years. As with everything here is a list of pros and cons to assist you in deciding whether insulation is the right choice for you.
Pros of having Home Insulation
- Reduced heat loss equals lower energy bills. in an uninsulated home heat can easily escape through areas that are not insulated. For example, your ceiling may be losing between 25% to 35% of winter heat loss and summer heat gains. Similarly, walls can lose as much as 25% of their home’s thermal energy.
- Cost-effective material. Home insulation is affordable and cost-effective, despite there being slight differences between the brands. Also remember that higher R-value insulation products are more expensive. The most cost effective insulation type is bulk glasswool insulation such as Earthwool insulation, which is available from $4.50 m/pm2. Other materials such as Polyester and Rockwool insulation are more expensive and somewhat less common, although both these materials make high performing thermal insulation.
- Great DIY project. Insulation is easy to install and with the help of online DIY tutorials it can be a quick and easy weekend job. Just remember that some insulation installs may need to be done by a professional. However, you can always find the cheapest way to insulate a metal building and improve the quality of your energy savings as much as possible. Look out for any water leakage or condensation in the area you are wanting to insulate. Mould can easily grow in these conditions and moisture can compromise the performance of your insulation. If unsure, get a professional to check the area before you begin installing.
- Long-lasting and durable material. As insulation is highly durable, installing it in your home should last the lifetime of the home. Many insulation brands offer a lifetime warrant with products. For example, Earthwool insulation batts come with a 50 year product warrant for your peace of mind. Another bonus is that once it’s installed you don’t need to maintain it.
- Acoustic benefits. Installing acoustic insulation is recommended in the internal walls of your home and between floors in a multi-storey dwelling. Soundproofing insulation is denser than regular thermal insulation and is therefore able to absorb and deflect sound more effectively. Having a quieter home can reduce stress levels and create a quiet and peaceful home to relax in at the end of a busy day. There are many acoustic insulation products such as SoundShield Earthwool batts.
Cons of having Home Insulation
- It’s not always easy to insulate. In existing homes, it can be difficult to retrofit insulation. For hard-to reach places you may want to consider blow-in insulation, such as in the wall cavity. Whilst areas such as the ceiling and underfloor can be more easily retrofitted due to more access to that space. If you do have the opportunity to install your own insulation, we recommend choosing Earthwool insulation batts as they are cost-effective, low-itch and rigid allowing for easy installation of the product.
- In older houses your insulation may get wet. If your home isn’t properly weather sealed, water may find its way in and damage your insulation. Make sure you make your home is properly draught proof to avoid this.
- Determine which R-value to install. Choosing the right R-value for your home will depend on the geographical location you are living in. Thus, if you are located in a cooler alpine climate, choosing a higher R-value is highly recommended. In new homes, the Building code of Australia (BCA) sets out strict guidelines on insulation standards and thermal ratings. Check with your builder first if you are not sure of the minimum R-value recommended for your home. Earthwool insulation is available in a range of R-values to meet you homes thermal requirements.
