When people ask for the most efficient way to insulate a home, they usually mean where their money goes furthest. There is no one answer for every house, but there is a sensible order to work through. This guide covers the main options and what to think about for each.
Start with the ceiling
Warm air rises, so the roof space is often the first place to look. A ceiling with thin, patchy, compressed or missing insulation is a common weak point, and it is usually quick to fix. Most ceilings take 1 to 3 hours.
We install Knauf batts in ceilings. If you want to know why we often suggest this first, read why ceiling insulation is the best first upgrade for Tauranga homes, or see our ceiling insulation page.
A guide price is $1,600 to $2,000 for a 100m² home. Your quote depends on access and materials.
Then the floor
Cold floors are a big part of why a house feels chilly, particularly in homes with a suspended floor and an open subfloor. We install Mammoth underfloor insulation, which typically takes 1 day for a 100m² home.
A guide price is $2,200 to $2,500 for a 100m² home. Your quote depends on access and materials.
Our post on why underfloor insulation matters for New Zealand homes goes into the detail, and you can read about the underfloor insulation service.
Deal with moisture underneath
If the ground under your house is bare earth, moisture can rise into the subfloor. A ground moisture barrier is a sheet laid over the ground to help with that, and it works alongside underfloor insulation. Damp insulation does not perform as it should, so it is worth sorting out the moisture first.
Coastal homes can have their own moisture challenges, which we cover in the role of insulation in coastal homes.
Remove old loose fill first
If your ceiling has old loose-fill insulation, such as Insulfluff, it is often best to have it removed before new insulation goes in. We can assess this as part of your consultation, so you know what is up there before anything is quoted.
Building new? Plan all three together
On a new build we install ceiling, wall and underfloor insulation at framing stage, when every cavity is open and access is easy. See new build insulation, and if you want the background on the Building Code side, read understanding the H1 insulation standards.
Small extras that help insulation do its job
Insulation works best when the rest of the house is helping it. None of these replace insulation, but they are simple to do.
- Draught-proofing. Sealing gaps around doors and windows stops warm air leaking out.
- Curtains. Thick, well-fitted curtains help keep heat in on cold evenings.
- Ventilation. Moisture has to go somewhere. MBIE notes that extractor fans venting into the roof space can leave insulation damp, so vent them outside.
- Look after what you have. If work has been done in your roof space or subfloor, or you have had leaks, check that insulation has not been disturbed or damaged.
Efficient means the right job, done well
An efficient insulation job is one that fits the space, has no gaps and is installed properly. A cheaper product badly fitted will not do as well as the right product fitted carefully. For the product side, read choosing the right insulation material for your home.
Not sure where to start?
Our free consultation and assessment, usually done through our online system, will show what you have and what makes sense first. We do it in person for complicated homes, or on request. We cover the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Hauraki, Gisborne and the East Coast, and Rotorua and surrounding towns, as far south as Taupō. See where we work.
Get a free, no-obligation quote and we aim to call you back within 48 hours. You can also call us on 027 482 0333.