Reduce Energy Bills Without Sacrificing Comfort

When people realize that a considerable portion of their hard-earned money goes towards heating and cooling their home, they start thinking of ways to reduce their energy consumption. In this case insulation could be the answer to helping them establish a more energy efficient home. Insulation is by far, the most practical and effective way of reducing energy bills without forfeiting comfort. Let’s take a look at how insulation, or the lack thereof, affects a building’s thermal state – and why so much energy can potentially be saved or wasted.

HVAC Systems and Insulation

Insulation doesn’t heat or cool a house and as such cannot replace a heating or cooling system. But it can be used very effectively together with a heater or air-conditioning unit. Insulation resists the transfer of heat, which has implications for both winter and summer. In winter, insulation prevents the heat that has been generated inside the home from passing through the house exterior, which would continually bring down the indoor temperature and force the heater to keep working. On hot days, insulation prevents much of the heat from the sun from penetrating the home, keeping it nice and cool. On very hot days, the heat eventually makes its way in, and then a good air conditioner can help to cool the air down inside.

The Place of R-value in Insulation

R-value is a measure of how resistant the insulation is to heat transfer. The higher the r-value, the better it will perform. In New Zealand next year, the government will be offering grants to eligible home owners towards new heating systems for their homes. One of the criteria, however, is proof that the home is adequately insulated. Clearly the government is not keen on pouring money into heating energy inefficient homes.

How Much R-value to Install

In Australia, the decision to insulate a home comes down to the Building Code which has different requirements depending on the climate zone the house is located in. In temperate regions, the immediate or urgent need for insulation may not seem very great at the time of construction, and home owners need to decide whether they will go with the bare minimum required by law, or whether they will spend a bit extra on a higher R-value.

An Itch Free Solution with Autex Insulation

Many people find glasswool insulation somewhat uncomfortable to work with. Some find the sensation unpleasant, others experience itchy and irritated skin as a result of coming into contact with it and others again don’t like the smell. For asthma sufferers and people with severe allergies, working with fibreglass insulation simply is not an option. Autex Insulation manufactures insulation batts that are completely itch free and safe to handle. They are made out of 100% polyester and are very soft to touch. DIY renovators should note, however, that the environment itself may be quite dusty to work in, regardless of whether they are installing glasswool or polyester insulation. Insulation offers numerous benefits to homeowners and the environment. In addition to creating a comfortable home environment, it increases energy efficiency, resulting in lower energy bills.