Ceiling Insulation Specialist

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FineWine

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#239370 14-Jul-2018 13:12

Been in our 18 year old house since 2014 since returning from 30 years in Sydney and this is the coldest the house has been. This year been running the two heat-pumps more than previous years. Yes we do not have double glazing but do have floor length thermal lined curtains.

Needing to redo my 18 year old loose fill macerated paper ceiling insulation which has compacted down, there was properly never much to begin with, it certainly never covered the joists. There seems to be only an inch thickness. Tauranga has a R2.9 rating and this wouldn't make R1.0, plus over the included garage open ceiling space there is none.

So I am looking at loose fill R3.2 GreenWool-100%NZ.

Would be interested in members thoughts and local installer recommendations.

Will also be replacing all my vented light fittings with sealed LED's at the same time with Robus Taylor LED Downlight 10w, 3000k dimmable. Which I can pick up for $28ea.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

timmmay

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#2056142 14-Jul-2018 13:37

I wouldn't go for loose fill wool. I did that and a few years later it was compacted and much less effective. It was effective the first few years, but it became less effective over time.

Go for pink batts or a similar product. I put that over my loose fill wool and it made a BIG difference. I actually have wool, then pink batts, and in some places another layer of pink batts. Each layer made a noticeable difference.

Ceiling insulation is by far the best bang for buck, after you remove old downlights that leak heat like there's a hole in the ceiling. Your chosen LED lights can be covered, so that's good. If you're replacing old downlights and putting in insulation, and you have heat pumps, you'll probably find it's much more comfortable and heating prices not so bad. We leave our heat pumps running 5am to 10pm, doesn't cost much more to leave them running than to turn on and off.

Double glazing helps a bit. We found it made the place feel warmer, and might reduce the time the heat pump's on. Wall insulation helps a bit. Under floor helps a bit. Ceiling is the biggest win.

FineWine

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#2056145 14-Jul-2018 14:14

Thanks @timmmay for the heads up about compacting. I thought the wool would be less compactable than paper.

So what are members thoughts on Knauf Earthwool® Roof Batts R3.2 ? as opposed to traditional Pink Batts.

I would still need someone to install them due to health problems.

What is the calculation for number of batts required - in my case 139 meter square roof area ?

Do you need to cover ceiling joists to stop thermal bridging or is that negligible ?

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Kickinbac

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#2056178 14-Jul-2018 14:30

While I like the idea of wool insulation I have concerns. Our house in Tauranga had carpet beatle (before we owned it) and the wool carpet was eaten away in the corners leaving bare patches. So my thoughts were that the same would happen to wool insulation unless it includes some sort of insect repellant.

I’ve also got insulfluff and want to get this removed before installing new insulation. Anytime you want to do anything in your roofspace it makes a mess. I had a quote from Fluffbusters to do this but being a tight arse I’ll probably diy as I have a woodworking dust extractor and all I need is a longer hose.

Fibreglass insulation is the best bang for buck when insulating particularly earthwool or bradford, Pink Batts seem to be more expensive for the same R value, typical for an NZ made product!

Kickinbac

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#2056180 14-Jul-2018 14:42

FineWine:
Thanks @timmmay for the heads up about compacting. I thought the wool would be less compactable than paper.

So what are members thoughts on Knauf Earthwool® Roof Batts R3.2 ? as opposed to traditional Pink Batts.

I would still need someone to install them due to health problems.

What is the calculation for number of batts required - in my case 139 meter square roof area ?

Do you need to cover ceiling joists to stop thermal bridging or is that negligible ?

I don’t think there is much between brands. Its the R value that counts. Ideally if doing batts you’d do two layers, one between the trusses then a blanket over the whole lot to cover the trusses and therefore the thermal bridge. Blown in insulation takes care of this by being thicker. I’d prefer polyester insulation but its way more expensive and thicker for the same R value.
I’ve had quotes from Greensheep, Insultech and Smart Energy Solutions, all similar in price.

nickb800

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#2056181 14-Jul-2018 14:57

Knauff is fine, I've used it in a couple of houses. Has been tested to meet same standards in terms of durability and thermal performance.
If you're getting it installed then just go with what the installers offer. They'll probably get it cheaper than you can and will have their preferences e.g. some just do polyester as it's easier on the workers

FineWine

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#2056187 14-Jul-2018 15:38

And it looks like I am eligible for the Warmer Kiwi Homes as I am a owner-occupier with a Community Services Card. WOW 67% now that's a winner.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Lego

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wally22

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#2056217 14-Jul-2018 17:07

Where I work in Manukau we get Bradford Gold significantly cheaper than Pink Batts.

FineWine

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#2064480 29-Jul-2018 11:26

Ok I'm having a quote from https://www.smartenergysolutions.co.nz/ in August and yes not only am I entitled to the Warmer homes 67% but Tect Tauranga are, for July only, taking that further to 92%. Plus the Tect cheque of $435. WOW. So with the money saved here am insulating the double garage doors and putting a blanket around the electric hot water cylinder and pipes. Next winter my power bill will hopefully be a lot cheaper.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.