Is it time to take the leap and finally insulate your beautiful rustic Kiwi home?
Spring is in the air and we have one question for you: Have you insulated your home?
If the answer is no, you’ve probably begun to regret that decision by now.
A well-insulated home means cooler summers and warmer winters, but for years people have resisted changing the timeless beauty of their old villas and homes. That changed drastically since the 1 July 2019 when a new law required that property owners must insulate their properties if they are renting to tenants.
If landlords are unwilling to comply, they may be liable for damages of up to $7,200. This meant much lower heating and electricity bills for many renters all over New Zealand. But as a homeowner, does it make sense to insulate your home?
Let’s look at some of the benefits of insulating your home!
Our number one reason we think you’ll really like is your power bill! In the winter and summer months, it might feel like you’re flushing money down the toilet. Why? Because you basically are. In a poorly insulated home, almost 25% of your heated air can escape through the ceiling, alone!
Think about that! Your bill could come down by 25% just by adding insulation in your roof!
It is not required by the new renter’s law to insulate walls as well, but it could be a smart idea for homeowners. Walls leak up to 33% and gaps around doors and windows leak about 11% of air.
Warm-up in the winter and stay cooler in the summer!
By trapping that heat or cool air in, you take the pressure off your HVAC and get more control over the temperature in your home. We know you love a lower power bill, but a lower bill also means lower carbon footprint! Many people who are building eco-homes all over the world use insulation as a key element to ensuring their design feels like a safe and comfortable home.
Adding insulation keeps out unwanted moisture.
When you safely seal cracks around doors and windows, you have the obvious benefit of keeping any extreme weather and precipitation out of your home. When you insulate your roof and ceiling you reduce the level of moisture! We find that dryer homes give a much more comfortable living experience to homeowners and renters. Cut out those humid Tauranga summers! You also protect your valuable belongings by keeping out moisture that could stain or tarnish antiques and wood furniture.
Soundproof your home!
Many Kiwis live outside of cities and highly-populated areas, however, this can add a better sense of privacy to any home. You not only keep out your noisy neighbors and street traffic, but you also keep the sound in. Sing as loud as you want, bang all your drums, and even volunteer to have the neighborhood gathering at your house! You won’t be bothering anyone when you insulate your home!
Keep your family healthy!
There are many benefits to keeping your home warm. There are lower rates of sickness and better care for the elderly. With decreased humidity, you reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growing in your home which can cause severe health complications.
You get the point, you’re convinced! And now you want to know about the types of insulation that best fit your home!
There is a whole world of insulation and options, from fiberglass to polyester- speaking to a specialist and doing your research is key. Whatever your process looks like, you’ll want to know the insulation’s R-Value. This is a rating given to all types of insulation materials, shapes, and sizes that will tell you how well they insulate the homes. Basically, the higher the R-Value, the better the insulation!
How much does it cost?
We can’t give an exact estimate because each insolation will be different for each home. Roughly, on a 100m2 house the price ranges from $1,500-$3,000 if you decide to hire a professional to install it for you!
When considering cost, remember that cheaper does not mean better. This is an investment, so the better your insulation, the more money you will be saving in the long run! There are those things we just shouldn’t cut corners on- this is one of them!
We hope the rest of your spring is warm and joyful!
