A warmer, more comfortable home usually comes from doing a few things in the right order, not from doing everything at once. This guide puts the steps in a sensible sequence. We only do insulation, so that is where we go into detail. The rest is general and kept brief.
Step 1: find out where the heat is going
Walk through the house on a cold day and note what you notice.
- Which rooms are coldest?
- Do you feel cold air near the floor, around windows or at doors?
- Is there condensation on windows or mould in corners?
- Do you know what insulation you already have in the ceiling and under the floor?
Have a look in the ceiling space and, if you can, under the house. Our guide to common insulation problems shows what to look for.
Step 2: sort out moisture
A damp house is harder to heat, and wet insulation does not work properly. Fix leaks, make sure bathrooms and kitchens vent outside, and open windows briefly on dry days. If the ground under the house is damp, a ground moisture barrier helps keep that moisture out of your home.
Step 3: insulate the ceiling
Warm air rises, so the ceiling is a common place to start. Good ceiling insulation is laid right across the ceiling space with no gaps. For a 100m² home, we usually quote $1,600 to $2,000 and most ceilings take 1 to 3 hours. Your quote depends on access and materials.
If there is old loose-fill insulation (often called Insulfluff), it should come out first. See Insulfluff removal.
Step 4: insulate under the floor
Cold floors make a whole room feel colder. Underfloor insulation is fitted between the joists from below. For a 100m² home we usually quote $2,200 to $2,500, and it typically takes about a day. Again, your quote depends on access and materials.
Step 5: stop the draughts
Insulation holds heat in, but draughts let cold air in. Weatherstrip doors, close off unused fireplaces and chimneys, and fill obvious gaps around pipes and fittings. These are small jobs, and you can often do them yourself.
Step 6: use what you have well
Once the house holds heat better, how you use it matters.
- Close curtains at dusk to keep warmth in.
- Heat the rooms you use rather than the whole house.
- Keep furniture away from heaters so the warmth can circulate.
- Dry washing outside or in a ventilated space, not in a closed room.
If you are thinking about heating, windows or appliances, talk to a specialist in that field. They are outside what we do, and they are better placed to advise.
Step 7: check it again each year
Every year, have a quick look at the ceiling space and underfloor. Insulation should be dry, thick and undisturbed. Anything squashed, wet or chewed is worth sorting out early.
Where to start
If you are not sure what your home needs, an assessment is the easiest first step. Ours is free, and mostly done through our online system. We can come out in person for complicated homes or on request. We work across the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Hauraki, Gisborne and the East Coast and Rotorua and Taupō.
Get a free, no-obligation quote. We aim to call you back within 48 hours, or phone us on 027 482 0333.