Insulation Rebates FAQs

Current programs to reduce green house gas emissions by the Australian government have resulted in a lot of incentives for homeowners to insulate their homes and make them more energy efficient.  Because most of the energy used to regulate temperatures in Australian homes comes from fossil fuels, this is deemed to be the most cost effective way to reduce the greenhouse footprint of the country.

To do this, Government is incentivizing home owners to put ceiling insulation in their homes, and offering grants to do so – nearly every home can benefit from having new ceiling insulation put into it, and there are grants and rebates for doing so.  As a plus, this will also reduce your heating bills considerably.

How Much Rebate Can I Recieve?

The Government rebate program has an upper limit of $1600 $1200; most homes in Australia should need between $1,000 and $1,200 for the materials and labour needed to install them.  For a lot of home owners, the net result is a free installation.  If your home is larger than the Government estimate, or you live in a more extreme climate, you may exceed the $1,200 cap, but you’ll only be responsible for the overage.

What Do I Need To Know About Ceiling Insulation?

New ceiling insulation does pose some challenges with downlights and similar items. Extra care has to be taken to ensure that the insulation does not create a fire risk. An installer may put a ventilated container near the transformer that powers it to reduce the risk of your lighting igniting your insulation.  Most other installations of ceiling insulation require no special precautions.

Also, even if you have a flat roof, rather than a gabled one, insulation installation has some significant benefits.  While it’s a bit more expensive, because it requires removing and replacing the roofing material, running insulation between the rafters.  Another method is replacing the plaster lath of the ceiling and running insulation above it.

Because of the way that heat circulates (warm air rises), ceiling insulation is one of the most efficient ways to cut your energy bills.  Even if you have insulation, if your home gets cold in the winter, or too hot in the summer, you can get a significant benefit from upgrading it.  If you’re doing a more extensive renovation, upgrading the insulation in your walls is the next big step – and most of the companies that can install your ceiling insulation will be happy to quote you on the walls and give you a package deal.

How Do I Know If I Have Insulation Already Installed?

If you’re not sure if you have insulation, it’s time to poke your head into the roof.  Bulk insulation will usually be fluffy, tan or pink, and be stuck between your ceiling joists on a conventional roof.  Sometimes, this will be covered with a waterproofing material that’s reflective; this serves, like a silver thermal blanket, to reflect heat that’s escaped the insulation back at it.

Some homes – particularly those built on stumps or stilts, have an accessible floor area; this is another prime candidate for insulation; this may also be worth looking into upgrading, particularly if your ceiling has already been done.

Is It Worth Doing It Myself?

While it’s possible to install the insulation yourself, one of the reasons for the Government program is to make sure it’s installed properly, and to make sure that frugal homeowners don’t put it off.  The rebate program will expire eventually, so it’s best to get it taken care of now.  The rebate requires that the insulation be inspected by a professional, and most of the companies doing installation will throw the inspection in for free after they’ve done it.

Do I have To Fill In Forms To Claim The Rebate?

Quite a few insulation installers have created offers where they’ll fill out the paperwork and take the rebate cheque afterwards for payment rather than charge you up front; this gives them more work, and it helps you with cash flow in the process.  The aim, once again, is to get this program running with alacrity and make it happen.   This also saves you the process of filling out the Government forms for the rebate, which they’ve already navigated a number of times.

How Long Does Insulation Last?

Once your insulation has been installed, it should be good for ten years or more; it will gradually compress under its own weight over time, and will need to be replaced or a new light layer added.  The reflective insulation needs regular cleaning to get rid of debris and dust that’s accumulated, but it should also be good for ten years or more even without this.  If you go up and clean it every other year or so, the reflective insulation will last more or less forever.

If you’re looking at doing this upgrade, be aware that there are multiple grants available, some for insulation, others for putting solar thermal heating systems in for warming water and generating electricity.  Some of these grants are mutually exclusive – Federal grants for insulation may prohibit you from taking grants for solar systems and vice versa, though there are State programs that overlap them – a bit of careful reading will showcase which grants you can apply for without interfering with others.

These rebate programs are an excellent way to do a significant home improvement, and reduce your monthly utility bill.  Be sure to check out your local associations of tradespeople to find qualified insulation installers, and comparison shop for the best price, or for the best deal – see if they’ll install now for the rebate coming in later, and similar things.  Many offers are available, and with the summer construction season starting, there’s going to be a lot of vendors looking for work and a very busy time to be had by all.

If you would like an insulation installion quote, go here now.