Bradford Insulation

Consumers urged to future-proof their households with free insulation rebate.  With electricity prices increasing 11 percent in the September quarter alone[1], Australians are being urged to future-proof their homes through insulation to avoid projected energy price hikes.

The Government’s Energy Efficient Homes Package has the potential to lessen the impact of these rising electricity costs – if all eligible households were to take up the rebate for free ceiling insulation, Australian households would save close to $550million in one year based on current prices alone[2] .

Offering a substantial rebate on ceiling insulation, the initiative enables households to arrange for the installation of ceiling insulation in an average sized Australian 2 bedroom home - without payment depending on the product type chosen.

According to finance experts, consumers should consider such incentives and think long-term about household costs – not just towards the next bill - and start to factor in projections.

Scott Pape, financial guru and author of the Barefoot Investor comments: “Initiatives like the Energy Efficiency Homes Package are a win-win for the average consumer. Not only do they provide both immediate savings, they also provide long-term benefits by increasing the resale value of their property. In years to come, the energy efficiency of homes is going to be a predictor of resale value on the average Australian home.”

Not only will the uptake drive financial savings, Australians will see a much needed reduction in our carbon footprint. With Australians expelling an estimated 70,000,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually – an amount projected to increase each year[3] – the initiative according to experts couldn’t come at a better time.

Ray Thompson, Group Marketing manager from the nation’s oldest insulation manufacturer, says that consumers are becoming much more aware of the benefits in insulating their properties – both for sake of their wallet, the comfort of their home and the environment.

“For the average household, ceiling insulation could mean cutting carbon emissions by almost 5 percent, which is enough carbon to fill over 200,000 cans of soft drink. That said, living a sustainable life is no longer just an ideological stance – it’s about common sense. Rising energy costs are taking a bigger bite out of household budgets, so finding practical ways to be more energy efficient is becoming essential to homeowners.

Thompson adds that consumers need to be cautious, and do their research to ensure they’re choosing the best quality product for their circumstance.

“For anyone considering the rebate, Bradford advise taking a few simple steps to ensure that they get the best possible solution for their home and obtain the maximum value from the rebate”

Step 1: Check that you’re getting the maximum energy efficient performing product  for your home – Don’t assume that’s what you will be automatically offered. Different types of Insulation are able to deliver different levels of R-Value, but not all product types are created equal. The higher the R-value the better the performance of the product for the home.
The rebate stipulates minimum R-values that must be installed dependant on where the home is located. The rebate can be claimed by the Installer calculating either a ‘product’ or ‘total’ R-value. Australian households should check which type of R-value is being quoted as ‘product’ R-values deliver a higher performing solution for the home.

Step 2: Make sure the product you get has passed Australian Standards and will perform for the life of the home – Don’t take the Installers word for it. Look at the product brochures of the manufacturer and make sure that they state that the insulation is in compliance to Australian and New Zealand Standards. If a product is in compliance the Installer should be able to show proof by way of a certificate . If you have any doubts, always call the manufacturer who is obliged by the standard to provide proof of conformance.
See if the installer is able to provide a warranty certificate of performance of the product. If they are willing to provide a lifetime warranty there is added security.

Step 3: For added peace of mind, check if the product is non-combustable – Whilst always safe if installed correctly, not all products can claim this important standard. Only some products offer the added security of having passed Australian Standards for Non Combustible building materials.  This means that they significantly reduce any fire risk to your home. Most Glasswool and Rockwool Insulation is tested in this way and would be stated in either product literature and or on warranty certificates. Don’t just rely on verbal confirmation from an installer. If you have any doubts, always call the manufacturer.

Step 4: Correct Installation is everything – Ask questions and do your homework. Ask how long the business has been in operation and whether they are backed by any additional training from a manufacturer. Some manufacturers of insulation (such as Bradford)provide additional training and support to approved Installers that purchase and install their product. Some installers may be able to provide some level of proof of this while doing the quote.

Step 5: Take your time in finding the right solution – Shop around. All households must obtain two quotes to be able to claim the rebate. It’s important to make sure that you explore all of your options in terms of the right product for your home prior to contacting an installers who usualy specialise in only one or two different types of insulation. And remember, you can only get the rebate once!
Homeowners and landlords hoping to take advantage of the Energy Efficient Homes Package can contact Bradford on 1800 333 332 or visit www.bradfordinsulation.com.au

[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics
[1]The average based on an annual energy bill saving for households eligible for to the Energy Efficient Homes Rebate
3 Based on 6.5million occupiable homes, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.