Get your home ready for winter
Monday 27 April, 2009
If you’re a home owner, right now is the time to make sure you're prepared for the winter chills. And the best place to start is by ensuring your home is adequately insulated. Many older New Zealand homes aren't - only since 1978 have new homes and major renovations had to be insulated. Even homes built after 1978 may not have enough insulation - the minimum standards were increased significantly in November 2007.
There are good reasons to insulate. It will make your home easier and cheaper to heat, drier and healthier to live in, and potentially more attractive to purchasers.
According to Consumer*, in an average uninsulated home:
- 30-35% of heat is lost through the roof
- 21-31% is lost through the windows
- 18-25% is lost through the walls
- 12-14% is lost through the floor
- 6-9% is lost through gaps and draughts (e.g. around doors and windows).
*Source: Consumer Report on Insulation, December 19, 2008.
The easiest place to start is by fixing gaps and draughts. Draught minimising strips and stoppers are relatively inexpensive and available from most hardware stores.
In terms of installing insulation, the roof is the major source of heat loss so insulating your ceiling should be the priority. If you have wooden floorboards, underfloor insulation (for example, polystyrene blocks fitted between floor joists) can also stop a lot of heat escaping. Thermal drape curtains can help reduce heat escaping from windows. You may also want to consider double glazing which can often be retrofitted to existing windows (though it can also be expensive).
You can often install insulation yourself (particularly in ceilings and under floors). Incorrectly installing insulation can significantly reduce its effectiveness. Consider having your insulation installed professionally if you’re unsure.
For a comprehensive explanation of different types and options for insulation, along with useful tips about insulating your home, check out the Energywise website.
Source: National Bank, Home Buyers Newsletter - April 2009
