Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Mar 24, 2011 2:11 pm I know there's loads of these, but hey, I've read lots of stuff and now am feeling a bit cross-eyed and lazy The http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs47.html#levels site says min R4.1 for building code in Melbourne, but local council (Yarra Ranges) info says min R3.5. Which is likely to be correct and if R4.1 is min building code requirement, would we have an issue if we used R3.5 and later wanted to sell the house? The rest of my questions are seeking to mine some of the knowledge of those here who've already done their own insulation installations... What are people's experience of the increased heat saving qualities of higher ratings, or do they have no effect? I've read that once you get above R4, you're not going to be saving much more heat for the added expense, and wondered if those here who had done that would agree? We (read my DH) are going to install the insulation ourselves and have chosen Earthwool, because we can get a 5-pack of R3.5 rated batts (covering total 50m2) for $156. Other than the usual, wear gloves, mask & goggles, what other tips do people have for owners installing this stuff themselves? What tools are recommended? What preparation do you recommend? Finally, we have stupid (insert swear word) downlighters through half the house. We wish to have these removed because they are the least energy efficient piece of crap lighting ever. It could take a while for our sparky to come round and sort this out (the guy is great but always busy at this time of year) and the winter is fast approaching, so we really want to get the batts in ASAP. Would it be okay to do this, leaving of course the recommended spacings for the downlighters and following all the safety requirements, and expect the sparky to climb around the loft space in the Earthwool to do whatever.... hmmm, just thought about the possibilities of covering up leccity cables (sorry, sunk a bit into Peppa Pig-eese there - forgot I wasn't talking to a toddler) that he might need to get too later....? Perhaps better to leave it until we get him round and just persuade him to come round quicker I guess. Any other tips & hints from you guys would be much appreciated Re: Yet another insulation question... 2Mar 24, 2011 2:20 pm And another thing... Sorry. Just saw on the Luna & Valk site what I think is R3.5 polyester of the same size as the earthwool in 2pk for $55 (maybe slightly shorter). Hmm... Ignoring the fibreglass v polyester (nasty stuff to work with but easy to cut v nicer to work with but harder to cut) points, based on personal experience does anyone think that one is more energy efficient than the other? I know that they have the same rating, so theoretically no difference, but I wondered if people had experience of a R3.5 polyester working more like a R2 fibreglass... if you get what I mean!! Re: Yet another insulation question... 3Mar 24, 2011 2:24 pm Oh goodness, here I go again... On a slightly different topic, has anyone used Isoboard for a cat / dog house? I'm thinking about insulating the inside of the house (the sleeping and eating area only) with 25mm thick isoboard, but wondered how resistant to chemicals and bacterie etc it really is? Also, is it easy to cut? If anyone who has actually used Isoboard in a similar way, I'd love to know what you think, how you installed it and if there's anything you would do different? Thanks I think I'm done now.... Re: Yet another insulation question... 4Mar 24, 2011 5:57 pm I suspect that R3.5 batts together with the other elements of the structure. ie Roof & ceilings, or walls will give you a total R value around 4.1 The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. 0 4679 Hi, Apologies - I know there is plenty out there on this but struggling to put together the puzzle. We're planning our garage/external laundry to master bedroom and… 0 1181 |