Insulation acts as a barrier to heat loss and heat gain, particularly in roofs and ceilings, walls and floors. In many homes insulation is the most practical and cost effective way to make a house more energy efficient, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter and saving up to 40 per cent in heating and cooling bills as outlined by the Dept. of Industry and Science Your energy savings.
Standards Australia has published the 2015 edition of AS 3999:2015 Bulk thermal insulation – Installation which sets out requirements on installing insulation for both new dwellings during construction and the retrofitting of existing buildings. The Standard is intended for construction of residential buildings.
The revision to this Standard had to address the greater range of Insulation products that are on the market at present, the whole of house insulation to the roof, ceiling, walls and floors to satisfy the Energy Efficiency requirements of Governments and the Building Code of Australia, and personal safety for both the insulation installers and home owners to satisfy Worker Health and Safety and address issues arising from the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program.
The revised standard supersedes the 1992 version and was developed by the Standards Australia Technical Committee BD-058 Thermal Insulation. CFA consumer representative Max Mosher is on the committee.
ACCC Product Safety Australia also has information and safety tips in Home Ceiling Insulation
CFA provides volunteer representatives on Standards Australia Technical Committees as part of the CFA Standards Project; if you are interested in finding out more about the Project and/or becoming a volunteer CFA Standards Representative please contact the Standards Coordinator at standards@consumeraction.org.au
I think it’s important to make sure that you keep the heat in your home. Insulation is the best way to handle that. I’ll make sure I have that done for my new home. Thanks for sharing!