Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Jul 20, 2012 2:26 pm We have just been told at the 11th hour that the energy rating for our house has been compromised by "raised ceilings etc", and that the recommendation has been to increase the insulation from R1.5 in walls to R2.5, and R3.0 in ceilings to R6.0. Here's the kicker - the builder wants $3,286 to do that. Anyone have any experience with costs to upgrade insulation and what other measures we could possibly take to increase the star rating? We've requested a copy of the report, but haven't received it yet (builder will probably refuse). For info, we have solar hot water, a 5000L rainwater tank, 450mm eaves and will be installing a 1.5kw inverter solar system post-build. Furious right now with the builder (just another frustration to add to an ever-growing list). Building the Denver by Metricon on acreage Land settlement: 24/8/15 Contracts: 8/7/16 Finance approved: 5/8/16 Council approval.....? viewtopic.php?f=31&t=79213 Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 2Jul 20, 2012 4:29 pm BN- found this site & info http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/ww ... 6-star.asp click on the PDF for the brochure. Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 3Jul 20, 2012 4:35 pm Star rating is all about; Insulation, Windows, Orientation so the solar electricity etc doesn't count. As its probably too late to change the orientation the only other improvement is to reduce your window sizes. By reducing south facing windows from full length to half height I improved my star rating at no cost. Sorry can't say how much difference it will make to you but its worth asking your builder. 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. Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 4Jul 20, 2012 6:30 pm Thanks for the feedback. Our south facing windows are the Theatre & Rumpus as per the plan below. Any feedback on whether half-heighting (and centring) the rumpus and theatre will make a substantial difference? Also thinking about adding another sliding door on the Alfresco/Rumpus room wall. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Building the Denver by Metricon on acreage Land settlement: 24/8/15 Contracts: 8/7/16 Finance approved: 5/8/16 Council approval.....? viewtopic.php?f=31&t=79213 Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 5Jul 20, 2012 7:29 pm Here is a comparison between Original 4m2 window reducing window size Double glazing original window Double glazing smaller window http://www.anewhouse.com.au/?p=727 I would say you will need some reflective tint on the two bedrooms with West facing windows as these will get too hot in summer. If you can reduce these windows this will also help your star rating. 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. Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 6Jul 20, 2012 9:39 pm Insulation upgrades will probably be the cheapest option as a "quick" fix that does not alter your plans. Whilst changing various windows etc will achieve the required rating, plans etc will need alteration and the builder will no doubt charge more. Settlement 1/2/12 New Shed 23/3/12 Slab poured 27/3/12 Frame complete 4/5/12 Roof complete 1/6/12 LOCKUP 29/6/12 Our new build blog http://kareenhillsownerbuild.blogspot.com/ Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 7Jul 25, 2012 11:30 am As mentioned above the star rating is mainly calculated from the building envelope of the dwelling - additional items such as the rainwater tank are not included in the calculation. It would be unusual for a Builder (in climate zone 6) to nominate R1.5 insulation to walls or R3.0 insulation to ceilings and price a project accordingly. The industry standard, from my experience, for climate zone 6 would be a minimum of R2.0 to walls & R4.0 to ceilings. (depending upon the construction type) Are you sure that the lower levels of insulation were included in the original pricing ? Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 8Jul 25, 2012 6:24 pm Very sure. Included in our tender, and that was including an upgrade to the ceiling batts. We paid for a promo that included the ceiling to R3.0. That promo has since increased $1k, and now includes R2.5 to walls and R4.0 to ceiling. We aren't very impressed about that. Have had further feedback from the builder, who contacted the energy consultant again. Looks like we have no choice but to suck it up and pay for the expensive insulation. Hoping it at least brings an ROI in terms of our heating bills over the next..... oh, say 15 years. Building the Denver by Metricon on acreage Land settlement: 24/8/15 Contracts: 8/7/16 Finance approved: 5/8/16 Council approval.....? viewtopic.php?f=31&t=79213 Re: 6-star rating requires insulation upgrade?! 9Jul 25, 2012 6:26 pm At least it will mean that your "elderly" parents will be snuggly warm when they visit. Deemaree Kyndylan Capers: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=46852 My blog: http://www.sufficientlysufficient.blogspot.com/ I am saying that double brick has similar thermal performance due to thermal mass effect. It will be still very interesting to see the state of your framing after 10-15… 10 29636 Hey guys building a new place through a volume builder and just wondering if i should complain to the site supervisor as we just had plasterboard installed. Looks like… 0 11230 1000000% definitely add insulation. I have in my home and it makes a big difference minimising sound transfer. Insulation is pretty cheap and definitely worth it 2 6148 |