Insulation

[NaeNae]

Hey All,

After Vic's recent heatwave I have finally decided that we will spend some $$ and get the old home insulated. As the house is quite old we are looking at getting some stuff that gets blown into the walls dry (as opposed to Rockwool which goes in wet) but I cannot find any information on products that go in dry.

We are going to get R.4 in the roof (R.6 if we can't get stuff in the walls) and will probably go with Pink Batts.

Just wondering if anyone has had this done recently with the wall insulation being blown in, the product used and the cost if you want to share.

Also if anyone has heard anything about a grant for doing such a thing.

Cheers
Nae x

[Rivlas]

I think the grant was a state gov. thing so get onto your local member. Even if its federal they should be able to head you in the right direction.

We put batts in years ago and they are yellow, don't know if there is any difference, just know they were Boral Batts.

Don't know anything about the stuff that gets blown in.

[Livinthedream]

Nae,we have just moved in to a relocated queenslander that we moved and renovated ourselves. I believe that you may be talking about a product called cool and cosy (or maybe cool or cozy) I think it is made up of shredded paper and stuff. I remember the ads on telly for it years ago.
Anyhoo, apparently it has been outlawed as although it was treated with a fire retardant, it could still catch fire if there was water in the ceiling at all. Bit like wet hay IYKWIM?
So it all went when we gutted the house (awful messy too, grey crap everywhere)
Dont know if there is another product that can be blown into spaces, but we ended up with batts as we ripped all of the plaster off anyway. HTH xx

[Yael]

We have (i think) zero insulation in our place. We have cathedral ceilings upstairs, but in general we have discovered this place has a lot of wierd quirks that they did when building it.

We want to use the money that the government is paying for insulation ASAP. How do we go about finding out about putting in insulation? Does specific companies do it, or a general builder? Do you buy the stuff yourselves (my bro works at bunnings so i can score a discount).

Anyone have any recommendations of places to call in Melbourne (Caulfield)?

[nic]

The new stimulus package originally had a rebate for Insulation, think it was $1000, but you can't claim for the insulation rebate AND the solar hot water rebate, it is one or the other... that is going on none of those details being changed from what they were when the package was originally announced.

I can't comment on wall insulation, but we did roof insulation a few years ago and got a product called Silverbatts. They are like cardboard, no fibreglass particles floating around or special clothing needed to be worn while they were put in. From memory, they could be installed in walls as well, but I think that might have to be at the building stage?

I think we got ours from a company called, Insulation Superstore. They are QLD based, but seemed pretty honest when DH called about the products they stocked. We were tossing up between two different types and they told us which one would be better for our area.
Forgot to mention, one the reasons we went with the silverbatts was because of DD's asthma, we didn't want anything floating around if possible, plus it was easy to install, pull it apart, throw some things in the middle of the sheets and up in the roof they go. You cut them to size with scissors! They were a bit more expensive than pinkbatts though.

[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.