Stop press: insulation programme closed
After hounding from the opposition, the government's rebate programme was closed on 19th February 2010. While there were indeed some problems with the programme, the government has been forced into a knee jerk response rather than some tweaks to fix the problems.
The programme that replaces the insulation programme is still being defined. I'll have more information, told in the same straightforward manner, up as soon as I work my way through the details.
Personally I'm pretty annoyed with the Liberal opposition who have forced the closure of probably the most effective environmental programme in years. Insulating Australia's old housing stock is the simplest and most cost-effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will continue to pay dividends for many years. Thousands of installers are now out of work at very short notice, the very small business people the Liberal Party claim to represent.
The government themselves have shown how gutless they are under sustained, but pretty flimsy, attack. A few minor tweaks to the existing insulation programme -- ensuring appropriate insulation materials are used, enforcing adherence to standards and beefed up quality control processes -- would have neutered all of the attacks.
Hopefully the replacement programme will keep the best parts, as opposed to the deeply flawed emissions trading scheme or Continue Poluting Regardless Scheme as it should be known.
Let the government pay for your insulation
The Australian federal government's home insulation rebate programme means eligible homes can get up to $1,200 worth of ceiling insulation for free. Insulation will help keep your home cool in Summer and warm in Winter, reducing your cooling and heating costs by up to $200 a year and keeping your home comfortable in all seasons.
As many as 40% of Australian homes have little or no insulation and are eligible for the rebate, which means free insulation to improve the thermal performance of your home. All you need to do is find and use an insulation installer accredited by federal government.
Insulation will improve your home's comfort levels and reduce your electricity and gas costs.
From 2nd November 2009, the rebate changed from $1,600 to $1,200.
Find out how to get the Australian government insulation rebate
Who is eligible?
The rebate programme is available for houses:
- With little or no existing insulation
- Built before 2003
- That haven't received the Solar Hot Water rebate since 3rd February 2009
The rebate is available to owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants.
Conditions of the federal insulation rebate
How does insulation work?
Insulation blocks the transfer of heat to cooler areas. So with the sun beating down on your roof in Summer, ceiling insulation will prevent the heat moving into the cooler house. In Winter it prevents the heat inside your house from moving out through your roof. Most of the heat transfer in your home occurs through the roof and ceiling, so that's the best place to start insulating.
Find out more about how insulation works.
What are the different types of insulation?
Different types of insulation work to prevent the different ways heat moves, and some combine multiple ways. The most common types of insulation, fibreglass batts, trap pockets of air which is a good insulator and prevents conduction of heat. Reflective insulation and sarking bounces radiative heat back in the opposite direction. A well sealed house, with seals around doors, windows and intrusions through the ceiling and walls like pipes and downlights, will prevent convection of heat.
