Insulation Products
Please note: prices quoted are current from 1 July 2009 and are subject to change. They are quoted at the full price before the subsidy is discounted.
»Ceiling insulation
Ceiling insulation reduces heat loss through the ceiling. Where existing insulation has deteriorated through age (around 15-20 years) it becomes less effective and needs topping up. We use two different sorts of Pink Batts products for ceiling insulation. The first comes in a biscuit form, which are large rectangular blocks that are fitted between the joists. The second type comes in a blanket form, which is rolled out over the top of the joists. This provides good thermal bridging over the joists.
For a 130m2 house (larger 3-4 bedroom) installing ceiling insulation provides energy cost savings up to $330 per year, giving a payback period of 3.2 - 5.0 years.
Prices:
$15.50 per m² (incl. GST) for R4 batts (for homes where little or no ceiling insulation exists)
$14.20 per m² (incl. GST) for R2.4 BIB batts (for homes where some ceiling insulation exists)
These Pink Batts are approved products for the subsidies and is available at a subsidised rate to eligible homes.
Other batts with different R-values both in biscuits and blankets are available but are not available at subsidised rates. Prices on request.
The manufacture of Pink Batt ceiling insulation involves a process which uses up to 80% recycled glass. The glass formulation used by Tasman Insulation New Zealand has recently been classified under European Union guidelines as bio-soluble. This means that in the unlikely event of glass fibres getting into the body they will dissolve and clear from the lungs. In addition IARC (International Agency for Research into Cancer, a division of the World Health Organisation) announced in October 2001 that FBS-1 Glass Wool used for insulation has been classed Category 3, not classifiable as to its effect on humans. Category 3 also contains such product as tea, caffeine and hair colouring.
»Underfloor insulation
Underfloor insulation reduces heat loss, draughts and has the positive side effect of reducing dampness. Comfort underfoot increases which is especially important for people with poor circulation or who spend a lot of time sitting, or for children and babies who live closer to the floor!
Novafloor
Novafloor is manufactured from non-woven thermally bonded polyester fibres. The fibres are blended, carded and thermally bonded to produce blankets which are machine slit to the required width and cut to length.
Novafloor has a nominal R-Value of R1.4.
Price:
$20.61 per m² (incl. GST)
Novafloor is an approved product for the subsidies and is available at a subsidised rate to eligible homes.
Polythene Dampproofing
A damp house takes a lot more energy to heat. Heavy duty polythene groundsheeting is stapled to the ground under the house to prevent moisture rising up into the house. For a 130m2 house installing underfloor insulation provides energy cost savings up to $85 per year, giving a payback period of 3.0 - 10.6 years.
Price:
$6.25 per m² (incl. GST)
Polythene Dampproofing is an approved product for the subsidies and is available at a subsidised rate to eligible homes.
»Hot water cylinder insulation
Cylinder wraps increase the effectiveness of older type hot water cylinders and can save up to 10% of a monthly power bill. Up to 34% of an average power bill is spent on heating hot water. Installing a cylinder wrap provides energy cost savings of between $28 - $93 per year, giving a payback period of 1.0 - 3.5 years.
Price:
$102.23 (incl. GST) hot water cylinder wrap includes pipe lagging
$ 7.48 (incl. GST) hot water pipe lag (1m)
An installed hot water cylinder wrap is an approved product for the subsidies and is available at a subsidised rate to eligible homes.
If you wish to install the hot water cylinder wrap yourself Community Energy Action sells a DIY cylinder wrap. Prices are as follows:
$70.27 for the D.I.Y. cylinder wrap
$45.92 for the D.I.Y. cylinder wrap with Community Services Card.
Comes in a pack with instructions and tape. The DIY wrap is not an approved product for the subsidies and is not available at a subsidised rate.
»Draught-proofing and pipe-lagging
CEA can install draught-stop external doors and windows for you using the products profiled through our Retail Shop. We also lag the first meter of the hot water pipe outlet.
Price:
$ 7.48 (incl. GST) hot water pipe lag (1m)
$23.89 (incl. GST) per door for external door draught stops
Hot water pipe lag and external door draught stops are approved products for the subsidies and are available at a subsidised rate to eligible homes.
$ 4.70 (incl. GST) per meter for window draught proofing
Window draughts proofing is not an approved product for the subsidies and is not available at a subsidised rate.
»DIY window and door insulation
There are no subsidies for double glazing. However, with insulation in the ceiling and under the floor your windows are most likely to be your greatest source of heat loss so it is a good idea to look at window insulation.
If double glazing is too expensive, you may find that installing DIY window insulation is a cost-effective way to reduce heat loss through windows. DIY window insulation is also an effective way to avoid condensation on windows.
The DIY window insulation consists of a plastic film that you put on the inside of the house on the window frame. The air gap between the window pane and the plastic created this way has similar insulation properties as double glazing. The plastic is very thin and clear and installed correctly there is very little distortion of the view. A pair of scissors and a hair dryer (to make the plastic film fit tight) is all you need to put it up.
You can view a sample of the installed DIY window insulation in Community Energy Action's retail shop.
Other DIY insulaton products for sale at Community Energy Action's retail shop include:
- V-Seal draught stopping for windows and doors
- Draught stop door sausages
- External door draught-stops
- Hot water cylinder wraps
Most can be both bought online as well as from our retail shop. For more information and prices of these products, click here.
»Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the appromixate size of my house?
- Two bedroom unit approx 75m2
- Average 3 bdrm home approx 100m2
- Larger 3-4 bdrm approx 120m2
If your house is a large two storey it may have a small 'footprint' i.e. the ceiling and floor space to be insulated may be relatively small. Think about what category your house would be in if it only had the downstairs and you'll probably be about right!
Q: How much of my ceiling can I insulate?
- We insulate as much of your ceiling as we can, but this can sometimes be influenced by the pitch of your roof.
- Flat roofs and cathedral ceilings can't be insulated.
Q: How much of my floor can I insulate?
- This depends on the clearance between the ground and manhole. We need 550mm from the manhole to the ground for our installers to retrofit underfloor insulation safely. Houses that are low set or have concrete floors cannot be insulated.
- Houses where there is no manhole will fall into the 'can't be done' category unless you have one cut before we quote.
- If there are items stored under the floor or a lot of rubble under the floor you will need to have it cleared out. CEA does not provide this service.
Q: When do I need to draught-stop my door?
- This is needed where there is a gap under the door.
Q: Why can't my hot water cylinder be wrapped?
- Space is needed to fit a wrap around the cylinder on all sides. Some homes have the cylinder placed in a tight corner of a cupboard and boarded around with framing and shelving. These cylinders are not able to be insulated.
Q: How long will the retrofit take?
- The floor will take around three hours, the ceiling about 2 hours. The time will vary a lot according to the size of the house.
Q: I have some insulation in the ceiling already but it’s thin or patchy. Will you move or remove old insulation?
- No. We recommend that you retain the old insulation in the ceiling unless it is wet.
Q: There is quite a bit of rubbish under the floor. Will you move it so the insulation can be done?
- No. This would be your responsibility prior to installation.
Q: Will I notice any difference?
- A difference is usually felt immediately on cooler days.