Is your insulation due an upgrade?
Published 30 Jan 2023
Is your insulation due an upgrade?
Insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost the thermal performance of your home. But, if you've had insulation installed 10 years ago or more, it could be time for an upgrade.
In fact, if you have insulation installed before 2010, particularly fibreglass, it may not be doing its job as well as it could—which means that you may need some new insulation. Your insulation may need topping up, or it might be time for a full replacement.
And, if you've had renovations or repairs done in your ceiling space since installation, your insulation could have been moved about or partially removed, compromising its overall thermal efficiency.
“You’d be surprised how many times we visit a home where the owner says ‘my ceiling insulation is fine, I had it done a few years ago’ and when we take a look we find it’s degraded over time, moved about by tradesmen and sagging terribly. Often we find the insulation performing at less than 30% of the efficiency the owner expected when it was first installed” Dan Robinson, our operations manager tells us.
Either way, the New Zealand Building Code regulations for insulation are increasing (for new builds), meaning all new homes built will have to meet a higher standard for insulation than what is currently accepted. Insulation effectiveness is measured in R-Values. An R-Value is a measure of thermal efficiency - it measures the thermal resistance of the material. The higher the R-Value the better.
From May 2023 all new homes will have to have a minimum R-Value in their roof insulation of R6.6. The current standard for new builds is R2.9. You can future-proof your existing home, and keep pace with these regulations, by ensuring your insulation is fit for the job—and we can help with that!
Over time, some insulation degrades and sags—meaning it's not insulating your home as well as it could. Sustainability Trust uses Mammoth® Modern Insulation ceiling blankets that have a range of R-values of up to R4.0, (or R8.0 when double layered). Mammoth blankets are long-lasting, won't sag or settle over time, are non-irritant and highly effective.
Mammoth products contain recycled polyester fibres. Mammoth ceiling blanket insulation uses up to 7,400 recycled plastic bottles per 100sqm. Mammoth ceiling blanket is a safe insulation material free from the chemicals and itchy fibres typical of traditional ceiling insulation.
Sustainability Trust has been insulating Wellington homes for 20 years. We're your dependable, trustworthy experts when it comes to heating and cooling your home. Contact us today for a free quote on how we can help upgrade or install new insulation in your home.