The benefits of insulating your home in New Zealand

As we head into winter each year, many Kiwi homeowners start thinking about how to keep their home warm without breaking the bank – and there’s one simple thing that could help. A well-insulated home will keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer, as well as having major health benefits and saving you money. With new regulations kicking in for rental homes on the 1st of July 2019, all landlords need to insulate their properties – so why should you follow suit?

Let’s take a look at why insulation is key to a healthy home, what product is right for you and how to get the job done.

Why do we need insulation? 

While your old villa might look beautiful, it’s unlikely the power bill that comes with heating it in the winter months sparks quite so much joy. Many older New Zealand homes aren’t well insulated, and for those living in them heating is expensive and often useless when it disappears. More than a third of home heating could be disappearing through the ceiling and as much as 24% of heat loss could be leaving through the walls. 

That’s where insulation comes in. By insulating your home you can get plenty of benefits, including:

• Temperature regulation. Insulation acts as a barrier around your home to prevent the flow of heat in or out of your home, by trapping the air. By reducing this movement of heat, it means your home stays warmer in winter, cooler in summer and dry all year round.
• Lower power bills. Reducing heat movement means that your heating won’t disappear through the walls and ceiling – making your home more energy-efficient could save you money on power bills each month.
• Health benefits for the whole family. There are plenty of health benefits that come with warmer homes – like reduced mortality rates in the elderly, lower hospital and prescription costs due to mould and mildew in homes, and more time spent at school for kids.

Which insulation is right for you?

There are plenty of insulation products out there, but some are better suited to certain types of homes, or areas of a property. Then there’s the cost factor to consider.

Here are some of the key questions you should ask to find the right insulation for your home.

What are the most common products? There are a few common insulation products out there – including fibreglass, glass wool and polystyrene. To find out more about the different types and which product is be best suited to your home, watch the video below. 

 

What’s an ‘R-value’? An R-value is a rating given to insulation materials based on their resistance to heat flow, material, density and thickness. A higher R-value = better insulation. Depending on where you live across the country, there are minimum R-value standards determined by the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC). Make sure you take a look at what’s required for your area to get the most from your insulation.

How much does it cost? It’s hard to put an exact number on the cost of insulating your home, as factors like the type of insulation and R-value will impact the cost. It’s worth remembering that insulation is an investment that’s going to save you money in the long run – so the more money you can invest upfront, the better the benefits you’ll get. To get an idea of cost for your home, contact Mitre10 to get a no-obligation quote. 

You could also be eligible for the Warmer Kiwi Homes grant, which helps subsidise heating and insulation for Kiwi homes. Find out if you meet the criteria here. 

Ready to insulate?

Now you know the benefits, what’s the next step? Firstly, have a think about whether you’d like to do it yourself, or get a professional in. If you’re thinking DIY might be the way to go, Mitre10 have got you covered with plenty of guides and videos to make it easy – check them all out here.

If you’d like to make life a little easier for yourself, contact Mitre10 for a free assessment, where one of the insulation professionals will come in to assess your home and get it sorted for you.