Healthy Homes
Keep your family healthy with GreenStuf® and these home warming solutions
Keep your home warm and dry this winter
Whether you’re building new or retrofitting, making your home energy-efficient for the winter is important. Having quality insulation is a great start but are many things that work alongside insulation.
Insulation expectation
When it comes to insulation you want to make sure that you have quality products used throughout your home. Your insulation should be a long-term investment due to the impact that it can have on the well-being of any occupants. Your selection of insulation can have a larger impact than you may be aware of.
Your insulation should:
- Keep your home warm
- Protect the quality of air
- Avoid slumping over time
- Be resistant to water damage
- Save you money due to reduced heating costs
An efficient home will have:
- Ceiling insulation
- Wall insulation
- Mid floor insulation
- Floor insulation
How to compliment your insulation
There are a range of alternatives available to you that will help you build your home’s heat retention capabilities. These will help you either create warmth within your home or prevent the heat you have created from escaping. Both are important jobs when warming your home.
Double layer of insulation
Having a double layer of insulation can help you improve the heat retention in your ceiling. Your roof loses 30 – 35% of your home’s heat and is one of the most important areas to insulate.
Double glazed windows
21 – 31% of the heat in your home is lost through your windows. Your standard windows have a single pane of glass where double glazed have two panes and a pocket of air in between. This adds another layer of insulation helping to keep heat inside your home.
Insulation subsidies
There are government subsidies available to help create warmer homes. These help reduce the costs associated with insulating your home to allow for a wider group of people to access these resources. To see if you are eligible for an insulation grant visit the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website.
Ventilation systems
Improving airflow within your home is an efficient way to keep it warm. Once your home is warm it is important to have this air circulated to ensure all rooms are benefitting. The presence of damp or stale air promotes the growth of mould and mildew, creating an unhealthy environment for the inhabitants.
Heating and cooling subsidies
Just like insulation there are also grants for heat pumps. These can often be an expensive purchase but are a great way to keep your home warm and dry. To see if you are eligible for a heater grant, visit the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website.
Downlights
If you have downlights installed in your ceiling be sure to insulate behind them. Holes are cut in the insulation to give the light space, but these need to be safely filled to stop any heat escaping.
DIY Quick Wins
Some simple steps can save your heat and save you money.
Window Coverings
Using window coverings is an easy way to help keep heat in your home. Curtains and blinds can help in this area.
Draught stoppers
These are a great way to stop unwanted air getting through gaps in your home. Common places to find draughts are door and window frames. There will be a range of draught stoppers at your local hardware store including: Foam strips, rubber strips and draught sausages.
Check your insulation
An easy first step is to check your insulation at home. Get into your roof space or below your home to investigate the health of your insulation. The key things to look for are any slumping or changes in shape and the build up of moisture.
Upgrade your downlights
Some downlights require insulation to be kept away to reduce any fire risk. Upgrading your downlights to IC or IC-F rated options means they can be covered with insulation removing any space for heat to escape.
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