Helping to make Kiwi homes more energy efficient and healthy.
Why insulate your home?Â
Healthier Home, Healthier You
Living in an insulated home significantly improves health by enhancing indoor air quality and reducing exposure to pollutants. Insulation helps to maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing drafts and cold spots that can cause health issues. Additionally, acting as a barrier against outdoor pollutants, allergens, and moisture, lowering the risk of mold growth and contributing to better respiratory health.Â
Insulation, saves you money
Proper insulation helps to reduce the transfer of heat, helping to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. This results in less reliance on heating and cooling systems, leading to significant energy savings over time. This efficiency translates into substantial savings on energy bills, potentially saving homeowners up to $560 annually.Â
Improved Home Comfort
Living in an insulated home offers significant benefits for living comfortable throughout the year. Proper insulation helps maintain a stable and comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year by reducing heat loss in winter and preventing heat gain in summer. This minimises drafts and temperature fluctuations, creating a more consistent and cosy environment. Insulation also dampens noise from outside and between rooms, contributing to a quieter and more peaceful living space.
Frequently Asked Questions
A well-insulated home will provide year-round comfort, and cost less to heat and cool. Insulation also helps to reduce noise levels and condensation. Not only is a well insulated house more comfortable, it can be cheaper to heat, have less mould and mildew, and be less conducive to allergy-aggravating dust mites, leading to fewer respiratory illnesses and a healthier living environment.
There are instances where our installers may not be able to access certain areas of your home for insulation. For example, if there is insufficient space under the floor or in the ceiling, these areas may be inaccessible. Structural barriers, existing fixtures, or safety concerns can also limit access to some parts of your home. However, we are committed to finding the best possible solutions for your insulation needs. If certain areas cannot be insulated, we will provide alternative options to enhance your home’s overall thermal efficiency.
The R Value is a measure of the insulation’s effectiveness – the higher the R Value, the better the insulation will perform. This measurement is crucial for maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling, and ultimately improving energy efficiency. Different areas of a home require varying R-values. For instance, in New Zealand, external walls typically need an R-value between R2.2 and R2.6, suspended floors should have a minimum of R1.3, and roofs often range from R3.3 to R6.6 depending on the region.
Retrofitting wall insulation can be challenging due to limited accessibility and the need for building consent. Unlike ceilings and underfloors, walls require invasive methods such as removing internal linings, which can be disruptive and costly. Additionally, improper installation can lead to moisture issues and structural damage. The best time to insulate walls is during major renovations, like replacing cladding. In the meantime, insulating your ceiling and underfloor can significantly improve your home’s energy
Insulating your home
On average, we spend around 90% of our lives indoors, and many Kiwi homes, especially older ones, aren’t up to scratch and need improvement.
Poorly constructed or older homes are more difficult and expensive to heat. Cold houses are also more likely to have mould growth, causing respiratory issues and other health concerns for those living in such environments. The link between damp, cold living conditions, and health problems has been highlighted in many report findings.
The New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) sets standards for insulation, which were recently updated. Many homes built before 1978 often lack insulation unless it was added later, and even those built before 2008 typically have insufficient insulation.
If you are retrofitting insulation into an existing property, your options are somewhat limited compared to building a new home, but there is still a lot you can do.
Typically, the first places to insulate are ceilings and under floors because it is easy and cost-effective. If you’re replacing your interior wall linings, that’s the best time to install wall insulation.
On average, in an uninsulated home, 30-35% of heat loss is through the roof, while 12-14% is through the floor.
Under the Building Code, new homes and additions to existing homes must be insulated to meet or exceed minimum requirements, which vary by region. For example, the far north will have a lower minimum R-value than the South Island. It’s well worth spending a little extra to exceed the minimum Building Code requirements to ensure your home is as warm and comfortable as possible, with the added bonus of lower power bills.
The cost of insulation depends on several factors, from the size of your home, where you want to insulate and what product you want to use, including the R-value; the higher the R-value, the more it will cost. It’s a good idea to exceed the minimum requirements as much as your budget allows to get a warmer home that is easier to heat. This investment will pay off over time with reduced energy costs and a more comfortable living environment. Our install teams can give you advice on the best option for your home.
Is your house insulated? Let’s take a look
Uninsulated Ceiling
When you look into your ceiling, does it seem bare or inadequately insulated e.g., Looking worn, not reaching the timber?
Uninsulated Underfloor
When looking under your house, do you see bare floor boards? That means there’s currently no insulation under your house.
Partially Insulated
If you see foil, and there are clear gaps and or holes or it’s not particularly shiny anymore, it’s probably not up to the Building Code and will need replacing.
What an insulated ceiling and underfloor look like
Insulated CeilingÂ
An insulated ceiling typically involves materials like Glasswool, 100% Polyester, or
other high-R-value insulations fitted snugly over the ceiling joists. Glasswool insulation, for example, is commonly used in New Zealand due to its cost-effectiveness higher R-values. 100% Polyester Insulation is rising in popularity due to its ease of installation and sustainability properties. 100% Polyester Ceiling Blanket is an easy option that fits over the joists and existing insulation, which allows you to have better thermal performance.
Insulated Underfloor
Underfloor insulation often involves using 100% polyester insulation, which is moisture and vermin-resistant, making it ideal for installation in exposed floor joists. Polyester insulation is easy to handle and does not require tricky handling or trimming to fit, resulting in a clean and straightforward installation process. The insulation is simply stapled into place between the joists without the need for clips or tape. This type of insulation is durable and maintains its effectiveness over time.
You and your family deserve a warm, dry and healthy home throughout the year. Don’t throw on another jersey to beat the cold, get your home insulated.
100% Polyester Insulation
Premier 100% Polyester Insulation is proudly New Zealand made from 45% recycled fibres for use in framed walls, ceilings, suspended floors, and mid-floor uses across homes and commercial buildings.
Key Features:
- Manufactured in New Zealand using minimum 45% previously recycled fibre (from post consumer recycled PET plastics.
- It’s non-toxic, non-allergenic, non-irritant, soft and safe to touch. Doesn’t contain any harmless chemicals.
- Our Retrofit Range is BRANZ appraised and holds the Eco Choice Aotearoa Certification.
Choosing Premier 100% Polyester Insulation means you’re not just insulating your home; you’re also investing in a healthier, safer, and more sustainable living environment.
Glasswool Insulation
Premier 100% Polyester Insulation is proudly New Zealand made from 45% recycled fibres for use in framed walls, ceilings, suspended floors, and mid-floor uses across homes and commercial buildings.
Key Features:
- Manufactured in New Zealand using minimum 45% previously recycled fibre (from post consumer recycled PET plastics.
- It’s non-toxic, non-allergenic, non-irritant, soft and safe to touch. Doesn’t contain any harmless chemicals.
- Our Retrofit Range is BRANZ appraised and holds the Eco Choice Aotearoa Certification.
Choosing Premier 100% Polyester Insulation means you’re not just insulating your home; you’re also investing in a healthier, safer, and more sustainable living environment.
Ready?Â
Let’s book your FREE home assessment today!Â
Schedule your FREE AssessmentÂ
Schedule your FREE, no-obligation assessment of your home to determine the insulation
Insulation Assessment
During the assessment, we’ll conduct a thorough review of your property and we’ll assess the current insulation and recommend the best solutions to achieve an energy-efficient and healthy living environment.
Installed by Premier
Following the assessment, we’ll send over a quote. Once you give the go ahead, we’ll work with you to find the perfect time for installing your new insulation. And don’t worry – we’ll leave your home just as tidy as we found it!