The benefits of insulation

Are your clients unsure what level of insulation they should invest in? Share the information below to help them make an informed decision

The purpose of any thermal insulation is to stop the transfer of heat from one area to another. The better the insulation, the more efficient it will be at stopping the heat transfer.

However, the benefits of adequate home insulation extend well beyond comfort – warmer temperatures provide a number of health benefits for occupants and, over time, studies have shown that it saves homeowners money on heating.

Shockingly, almost 1,600 deaths are attributed to cold houses each winter in New Zealand. Living in a home where the internal temperature is below 16°C increases the risk of respiratory disease, such as asthma and bronchitis. Half of all New Zealand homes have inadequate insulation, so it is no surprise that New Zealand has the second-highest rate of asthma in the world.

The World Health Organisation recommends houses should be kept at a minimum temperature of 18°C to ensure occupants remain healthy and comfortable. A study by the Wellington School of Medicine has also found that insulated houses resulted in families with fewer sick days and an economic benefit that was double the cost of the insulation.

“The real benefit of Pink® Batts® Ultra® is paying an upfront cost to gain long-term savings,” says Todd Lindsay, Category Manager of Insulation for PlaceMakers. “Depending on the size and specification of the house, upgrading insulation can increase the total cost of a build by as little as 1%, but the ongoing savings for the homeowner are significant.”

Since 2005, electricity prices in New Zealand have increased on average 51.4% nationally. A 2010 BRANZ Report showed that, on average, installing upgraded insulation instead of New Zealand Building Code minimums resulted in a 17% energy saving for heating and cooling a home.

“By installing adequate insulation, not only will homeowners reduce the amount of energy required to heat or cool their homes, they will protect themselves to some degree from energy price rises,” says Mr Lindsay. “Insulation pays for itself over time and continues to save costs for the life of the home.”

For more information on different types of insulation and their associated benefits, talk to the heating specialist at your nearest PlaceMakers.