Insulation slows the movement of heat through your ceiling, floor and walls. In winter it helps keep the warmth you have paid for inside. In summer it helps keep the heat out. Most people notice the difference in how the house feels long before they think about anything else.
Here is what good insulation does for a New Zealand home, and what it typically costs to get started.
A warmer, steadier home
An uninsulated or poorly insulated house loses heat quickly. Cold spots, chilly floors and rooms that never quite warm up are common in older homes.
Insulation holds temperature steadier through the day and night. Rooms feel more even, and the heater does not have to work as hard to get there. Warm air rises, so the ceiling is usually the most sensible place to start. Underfloor insulation then deals with the cold coming up from below, which matters in homes with timber floors.
Lower running costs, depending on your home
When a home holds heat better, your heating has less to make up for. How much that shows up on your power bill depends on your house, how you heat it, the insulation already there and how it is installed, so we do not promise a particular saving. What we can say is that insulation is a one-off job that keeps working quietly in the background, with no running costs of its own.
A drier, healthier house
Cold, damp houses are harder to live in. When indoor surfaces stay colder, moisture in the air is more likely to condense on them, and that is where mould tends to start.
Insulation helps keep indoor temperatures steadier, and an underfloor ground moisture barrier keeps damp from the soil out of the space beneath your house. Together they make a drier home that is easier to keep healthy. Insulation does not fix every damp problem, and good ventilation still matters, but it is a big part of the picture.
Quieter too
Insulation also takes the edge off noise, from outside and between rooms. It is not soundproofing, but it is a pleasant side effect many people mention after the work is done.
Comfort in summer
Ceiling insulation works in both directions. In hot weather it slows the heat from your roof space coming through the ceiling, so upstairs rooms and top-floor bedrooms stay more comfortable for longer.
If you rent out a property
Insulation is one of the Healthy Homes standards for rentals. Our landlord’s checklist and our post on what the insulation standard covers explain it, with links to the official Tenancy Services pages.
What does it cost?
Every home is different, but as a guide for a 100m² home:
- Ceiling insulation: $1,600 to $2,000
- Underfloor insulation: $2,200 to $2,500
Your quote depends on access and materials. Both jobs are quick. Most ceilings take 1 to 3 hours, and an underfloor job for a 100m² home typically takes a day.
Where to start
For most older homes, ceiling first and underfloor second is a sensible order, but it depends on what is already there. If your house has old loose fill in the ceiling, that needs Insulfluff removal before anything new goes in. Not sure what you have? Our guide on how to tell if your home needs an insulation upgrade is a good place to begin.
Get a free quote
We install insulation for homes, businesses and schools across the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Hauraki, Gisborne and the East Coast, and the Rotorua and Taupō area. Ask for a free, no-obligation quote and we will assess what your home needs. We aim to call you back within 48 hours, or you can call 027 482 0333.