The Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) welcomes the ACT government decision today to adopt the National Construction Code (NCC) in full prioritising energy efficiency in housing.

Under the NCC 2022 provisions for increasing the thermal energy performance of dwellings from 6 to 7 stars, will mean that improved levels of wall, floor and ceiling insulation will play a key role in making new houses more comfortable during winter and summer temperatures.

CEO of ICANZ Janine Strachan said, “The ACT is the second jurisdiction in Australia to implement the thermally efficiency requirements outlined in the 2022 NCC Code and hopefully setting an example for other states and territories across Australia to follow.

“The new building requirements under the Code set the benchmark for developers and builders to deliver better performing and more comfortable homes for the occupants for years to come.

Minister for Sustainable Building and Constructions Rebecca Vassaroti said, “The rules in the 2022 NCC are a fantastic tool for the ACR government to make developers deliver better buildings in Canberra. Already we’ve started a registration program for engineers and introduced the first developer licensing scheme in the country to increase confidence in buildings being built in the ACT.”

As Australia faces more extreme weather patterns in summer and winter and combined with higher power costs it is important for homes to be better insulated to combat these extremes.

These then are the questions for consumers:

• Are you finding that your home is too hot in summer, and your cooling bills are causing financial pain?
• Are you considering renovating your home and you want to know what you could include to improve the household comfort levels?
• Are you planning on having a new home designed and want it to work even better for you?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then there are solutions which could save you money and make your home more comfortable.

For a relatively small outlay there is one building material in the home that: reduces heating and cooling demand; reduces emissions and energy bills; improves occupant comfort; and requires no ongoing maintenance.

Insulation can provide all those benefits and it can make your home more attractive to purchasers and renters when it goes on the market. Source: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/outlooks/

Ms Strachan said, “Ultimately you want to have good solar orientation on the block, where the living rooms within cooler regions are positioned to gain free winter heating and good summer shading to reduce summer heat entry. If you are renovating perhaps, you can review the room layout or positioning to benefit from good room orientation. And if you are having a house designed, remember that there are minimum regulatory requirements, but you might want to consider increasing your insulation at the design stage.

“Coupling good solar access with good levels of insulation in the ceiling, wall and raised floors are the perfect companions to help you achieve energy efficiency in the home. Insulating the ceiling will help to reduce heat entry from the hot summer sun and minimise heat loss in winter as insulation limits the movement of heat energy. Insulating walls will help to reduce the penetration of the summer heat gained and lost via uninsulated walls. Insulating subfloors will help to reduce entry and loss of heat through uninsulated flooring.”

If you are planning a retrofit or renovation project, then check whether your State Government has any low or zero interest loans that you could apply for to help make your dollar go further.

In a new home project insulation is a requirement in all new homes, so obtain a cost to increase ceiling insulation, for instance from R5.0 to R6.0.