Insulation

[NaeNae]

Thanks for all your responses.
I have found some information though depending on what you read and where the information comes from.
I believe that the rebate is now $1600 for home owners and $1000 for rented properties (though again I have also read $1600 if the tenant pays for the insulation) to claim the rebate $1600, it comes off the bill of professionally installed insulation. I cannot make heads or tails of what happens if you choose to install yourself.

Shellsbells - Yeah I have heard of that stuff, I think there are other products like the Rockwool stuff that are safer to use but I think that stuff would be pretty messy like the stauff you had. MIL had stuff put in the section of the house she renovated but cannot remember what it was called

Yael - because you are melb based I am sure there are heaps of companies around you. Check the Pink Batts website or do a search for Insulation generally for around your area.
I think you can DIY but the rebate is not as much but I do not know how to claim it.

[Phteven]

naeNae, it has to be installed by an approved company to get the rebate. If you install it yourself no rebate.
After June or July you can ring the peeps in charge and they will send someone to do it. Before then you can arrange it yourself and you will get a refund up to $1600.
Because I'm a super lazy bum I'm waiting until July then ringing them.

It only applies to roof insulation - you have to fork out for the walls yourself.

ETA - http://www.environment.gov.au/energy...ency/faqs.html

[Yael]

I read a website that said something about the rebate being 30% of the total cost up to a value of...

So do we have to pay the other 70%, or can we just get say $1600 of insulation done, so we are not out of pocket?

[Phteven]

After 1 July all you will need to do is ring 1800 808 571 and make a booking. The call centre will take your details and confirm your eligibility and arrange for a properly-trained installer to visit your house, assess your insulation needs, and install it for you.

As an interim arrangement, owner-occupiers who do not currently have ceiling insulation and who self-organise its installation between the date of the announcement of this package on 3 February 2009 and 30 June 2009, will be able to seek reimbursements of their costs up to a maximum amount of $1,600. Keep your receipts and apply for reimbursement once systems are operational.

PLEASE NOTE: To qualify for the assistance, the insulation must be installed by an installer who owns or is employed by a registered business operating in the installation of thermal insulation.

After July you don't need to pay anyone - the installers will just visit and then do it and bil the government.

[NaeNae]

Thanks Dachlostar, Yep I am like you I think I will wait too, maybe I will get insulation for my birthday

[Malyna]

I'd wait for the fed govt rebates to come in. The blow in insulation will settle, and I believe there are issues with it, if you have a house on piers (ie, you need to seal the bottom of the walls. All insulation will settle - batts (pink or otherwise) will squish down over the years - the insulation level is dependant on the air pockets - so the fluffier/fatter the insulation, the higher the R value. Of course pink batts or polyester batts you can put in without protective clothing - but with the fibreglass batts, you need to cover everything with protective clothes, as there are small fibres of glass, which irritate the skin and are terrible to try and clean up.

There will probably be a lot of people waiting for the insulation rebates, so expect a delay in installation, but the benefits will mean you pay less to heat and cool your house, and you'll find the house much much nicer to be in.