Foreword
We’ve written previously about how challenging it can be to understand the requirements of your home energy rating. The NatHERS Certificate is an extremely technical document and even the best advice provided by a sustainability consultant can seem confusing to the uninitiated. The below blog aims to provide an introduction to the insulation requirements that are generally specified within a 6 or 7 Star Energy Reports for Victorian projects.
As always, the information has been deliberately simplified and is an introductory summary only, if you have any project specific questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Green Rate team.
A note on R-values
R Values provide a handy guide as to how effective your insulation will be, with a higher R value being a better insulator. Below, we’ve presented typical R value ranges available to be installed in your usual home. These values are a guide only and are based on a combination of cost, practicality and availability.
Types of Insulation, Where it’s located and What is the R Value
Ceiling and Roofs
Without a doubt the most effective location to install insulation is within your roof space. It’s relatively cost friendly, easy and quick to install and will help keep you comfortable year round.
Your typical Colourbond Roof will usually be insulated via a roof blanket which has a typical R value between R1.3 and R2.3. A product example is the Bradford Anticon Roof Blanket which is commonly installed.
Whether your ceiling is a flat or pitched ceiling, fibreglass or polyester batts are most commonly installed with a typical R value range between R3.0 up to R7.0. A product example is the Knauf Earthwool Ceiling Insulation Batts range.
Walls (External and Internal)
The second most effective location to install insulation is within the walls of your home. All external walls (except for garage) and internal walls adjacent to the garage and wet areas are recommended to be insulated.
For brick veneer and cladded walls, fibreglass or polyester batts are most commonly installed with a typical R value range between R2.0 to R2.7. Wall batts are readily available and come in a wide variety. For brick cavity walls, insulation is generally placed within the cavity during construction, with a typical R value range between R1.0 and R2.0. The Kooltherm K8 Cavity Board is a commonly used product for this application.
Floors
Finally, we have the floors which, when well insulated, will form the final part of the thermal envelope of your home.
For concrete slab on ground, under slab and slab edge insulation is recommended, with a typical R value range between R1.0 to R2.5. A common product example of this is Slabmate which is widely available.
For a typical suspended timber floor, the R value of added insulation usually ranged between R2.0 – R2.5, the Bradford Optimo Underfloor Insulation Batts are an example of a typical product installed.
Closing
Understanding where to insulate and what products to use can be a daunting task, we hope the above summary will provide a general guide on how to start. The Green Rate Team are experienced in offering practical, effective and budget friendly advice on what insulation products to use and model when completing your 6 or 7 Star Energy Rating. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions on the above.
