Is insulation dangerous?
Insulation has been getting a lot of bad press lately, even though it’s not insulation that’s the problem, it’s bad installation.
Does insulation cause fires?
In Victoria we mostly use bulk insulation – big bulky batts which keep the Victorian winter out. There have been fires associated with badly installed insulation, but there’s another culprit here: downlights. Downlights are big energy guzzlers – it can take 12 of them to light a room which might have used two or three ordinary globes. They also get hot, which means that if your insulation’s too close it can catch fire. One solution is to have a gap in the insulation around the downlight, but this means your insulation doesn’t work as well. A better solution is to have downlight covers installed inside the roof, over the top of each light. These stop the insulation from getting too close and also stop the warmth of your house escaping through the roof. If you’re getting insulation installed, ask the installer to put in covers at the same time, and ask them to show the covers to you first so you know they’re really doing it. Of course the best solution is to also switch your downlights to low energy alternatives which don’t heat up as much.
Does insulation cause electrocution?
There have been several cases recently of insulation installers getting electrocuted when installing foil insulation. Foil insulation is a bit like a big roll of extra tough kitchen tin foil, which reflects the sun’s heat back up to keep the house cool in summer. It’s used much more in Queensland than Victoria, but it’s worth using here, in conjunction with bulk insulation, to get us through those summer heat waves. At this stage it looks like some of the deaths which occurred under the insulation rebate were due to the use of metal staples which pierced electric cables. Using glue, tape or plastic fasteners avoids this. However problems can also be caused by electric cable housing deteriorating over time, or being chewed on by rodents, exposing live wires. Having your foil insulation nowhere near your cables is a good idea. Houses often have their electric cables just above the plaster ceiling, so putting the foil away from the ceiling and just under the tiles or tin of the roof can cut the electrocution risk while still keeping your house cool in summer. Of course you should always make sure your wiring is in good condition – bad wiring is dangerous with or without roof insulation.
Is it worth getting insulation without a rebate?
Absolutely. Insulation can save your heating and cooling costs by up to 45 percent, which means that insulation pays for itself in lower bills. Energy prices are set to rise, so insulation is a smart way of avoiding excessive energy bills in the future while reducing your environmental impact.
Environment Victoria is calling on the Government to give a green makeover to One Million Homes
While insulation is a great start, there are many more measures that can help households reduce their energy and water bills, increase comfort, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save water vitally needed for our stressed rivers. These measures include providing curtains, low flow showerheads, solar hot water systems, dual flush toilets, installing flow restrictors for taps, upgrading fridges and sealing gaps.
Doing these things to your own home is a great idea, but why stop there? Environment Victoria is calling on the government to do its bit too, and provide this package of measures to One Million Homes in Victoria over the next five years. That’s half of Victoria’s existing housing and would have a big impact on our greenhouse pollution. And because the program is targeted at low income households the benefits of reduced energy and water bills, and better quality homes, will flow to those who are most in need.
Such a program would create 6,900 new green jobs, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million tonnes - nearly 3 percent of Victoria’s emissions, save 32.5 billion litres of water for our rivers, and ensure that our buildings and homes are climate change ready, preparing us for harsher and dryer conditions.
Want to help make it happen?
More resources
Read what the fire brigade has to say about insulation and downlights
Like to know the technical details? Here's the info on different insulation types
