Insulation is a material that resists or blocks the flow of heat energy. Insulation is used to stop heat inside the home from escaping in winter, and to stop heat outside the home from entering in summer.
Correctly chosen and installed, insulation will significantly reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature inside a home regardless of the weather outside. Some types of insulation are good for keeping the heat in the home through winter and other types insulation are good for keeping the heat out in summer. Foil wrap provides the added benefit of minimising air infiltration and helps to contribute towards air tight construction.
To perform well, it is vital that the right type of insulation is specified and installed correctly and to avoid condensation problems. Installing high-performance products at the time of construction is a good investment, resulting in lower energy bills over the lifespan of your home. For existing homes, adding insulation to your ceiling, walls and floor can be an effective part of renovation at any time.
How well an insulation product resists heat flow is know as its R value. The higher the R value, the higher the level of insulation. The appropriate degree of insulation depends on your climate, building construction type, and whether auxiliary heating and/or cooling is to be used.
Good insulation that works effectively for your home requires the selection of the correct product for your climate. The right product will make a significant difference to the comfort and energy performance of the home. A skilled thermal comfort assessor like Australian Energy Raters will be able to inform the designer in selecting the right type of insulation for the home.
