Botched Insulation

Insulation helps reduce the amount of heat flowing through the building envelope. The use of insulation in the ceiling and walls is one of the most effective ways of reducing heating and cooling loads.

In addition to improving comfort levels in the home, insulation will have a substantial impact of stabilising electricity and gas bills in the face of rising utility prices. The added bonus is that it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This is why the Federal Government has been fostering the installation of insulation – because it’s effective.

Generous rebates were designed to encourage the uptake of insulation by homeowners (up to $1600 at the beginning of the program, but now $1200). The Home Insulation Program helps make currently uninsulated homes more energy efficient, in addition to boosting the economy and creating jobs. More

Unfortunately, this program has lead to the emergence of dodgy installers willing to sacrifice quality workmanship for the sake of dipping into this large pool of public funds as deeply as possible. The Federal Government has responded.

By 12 February 2010, installers are required to provide evidence that all people involved in installing insulation materials meet new minimum industry standards. Supervision by a qualified person is now not enough to satisfy the new training and competency requirements. Each individual involved in the installation must meet these requirements.

Insulation also needs to be installed correctly. If not, energy efficiency and comfort are compromised AND there is the potential to cause injury and even death.

See this recent article from The Age related to the suspension of foil insulation from the program from 9 February 2010 onwards due to OH&S concerns at

Also see Environment Minister Peter Garrett’s statement.

Metallic foil is conductive and when installed incorrectly using metal fasteners the product can be dangerous. Four deaths have been attributed to this dangerous practice due to the failure to undertake mandatory risk assessments and the breaching of clear program requirements to not use metal fasteners. The deaths were likely caused by metal staples piercing an electrical cable by installers not fully aware of the dangers while in the roof space.

For information regarding product eligibility and safety requirements under the program, contact the Energy Efficient Homes Hotline on 1800 808 571 or visit http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/programs-and-rebates/hisp.aspx