Insulation FAQs

In order to make homes more energy efficient and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas, the Australian government is offering programs to help with costs.  Since much of the energy people use in their homes comes from fossil fuels, it is thought that by regulating the amount of energy used, the Australian government can not only cut costs, but cut gas emissions, both at the same time to the benefit of people and country.

To help convince people to do this, the government is offering many incentives, among them a variety of grants for almost every sort of home or situation; after all, every home can benefit from lower heating bills.  And more than just heating bills, but electricity, cooling, and even water.

So How Much Is The Rebate?

There is an upper limit of $1,600 $1200 per home for the rebate program; for most homes this should be enough as average installation runs roughly from a thousand dollars to $1,200 including materials and labor.  For many people, this means a free installation!  But, if you home is among the few larger than the government estimate, or you live where the temperatures are more extreme, you might find that $1,600 is slightly less than your overall cost, but with the rebate you’ll only need to pay the overage.

Are There Any Issues With Ceiling Insulation?

New insulation for ceilings can have a few challenges, depending on your house.  Care should be taken to make certain that the new insulation doesn’t increase your homes risk of fire.  Your installer may want to put a ventilated box next to the transformer in order to reduce the risk of accidentally lighting your insulation.  But, most homes and installations don’t require such precautions.

Even if you have a flat roof rather than a gabled one, you’ll find that insulation still has its benefits.  It will be more expensive to remove and replace the roofing material as well as installing insulation.  But, you could always replace, instead, the plaster lath in your ceiling and install insulation from inside rather than out.

As we learned in science class, heat rises, which makes your ceiling one of the most important tools to use in lowering your heating bills.  You may already have insulation, but if you still get too cold in winter and too hot in summer, you may want to consider upgrading your insulation.  And, if you’re in the middle of renovating your house, consider that you can also upgrade the insulation in your walls, and many companies will only be too happy to give you a quote for wall installation, or even a package deal for ceiling and walls, both.

How Do I Know If I Have Insulation?

If you don’t know if you already have insulation or not, go up to the roof to check.  Bulk insulation is generally a light, fluffy like material in shades of tan or pink that fills your attic between the ceiling planks.  But your insulation might be covered with a silver blanket which serves to protect it from water as well as reflecting escaped heat away from the insulation back down.

Houses built on stumps or stilts should consider – if they already have put insulation in their ceilings and walls – adding insulation to their floors.

Can’t I Install The Insulation Myself?

It’s true that you can lay down insulation yourself, but the primary reason the government is offering these rebates and grants is to make sure that the insulation is done properly, and that cost-smart homeowners don’t put it off until it’s more convenient.  This program will not last forever, and now is the best time to take advantage of what it offers.  The rebate demands that you have your insulation done by a professional company, and the majority of companies out there will even throw in a free inspection.

Many companies are even offering to do the paperwork themselves, simply taking the rebate check when it comes rather than asking you for a payment, up front which will save you money, and ensure that they do swift and prompt work.  Again, the Australian government is trying to make this program work.  And these companies also keep you from having to fill out long, government forms for the rebate, forms the insulation companies are already familiar with.

How Long Will Insulation Last?

When your insulation is installed, you should have a good ten years of service out of it, though it will start to flatten out over time and might need a refresher of a new, light layer of insulation put over it, or even to be replaced.  If you have a reflective insulation cover, you should sweep and dust it now and then to keep it free of dust and debris, but even if you don’t, it will still last at least ten years.  But, if you do clean regularly, you’ll find that the reflective insulation will last you almost forever.

Can I Also Apply For The Solar Heating Grant?

When upgrading your insulation, keep in mind that there are many grants, and not just for insulation but for solar thermal heating systems which warm your water and generate electricity.  But, some of these grants are mutually exclusive, such as a Federal grant for insulation which forbids you from accepting a grant for a solar heater, and vice versa; there are even State programs that overlap these, all of which means you need to read carefully when applying for any grant.

So What Do You Think?

These programs, rebates and grants are wonderful ways to help improve your home and cut heating costs.  Look around at your local businesses to find qualified and reputable insulation installers, and shop around for a good price and the best deal – will they install now and accept the rebate check as payment, or do they have a deal on solar heaters?  There are so many offers, but with the summer season just warming up a lot of people are going to be looking to have their insulation done, so get started now!