Posted on 06 12 2020

How Insulation Keeps Your Home Cool in Summer

When we think of insulation, we think of warmth. And warmth in our homes isn’t exactly what we want when that summer heat hits. But keeping our homes warm is not the only thing insulation does. In fact, insulation is an all-year-round necessity. 

What is insulation?

No matter the season, heat is moving throughout your home. It moves in the winter, escaping through gaps and cracks. And in the summer, it moves right back in through those same gaps and cracks. 

The temperature outside will always try to equalise with the temperature inside. This process occurs at an increased rate when the temperature difference between the outside and inside is most prominent (i.e. the winter and summer months). 

 When this happens, it can be unhealthy for both you and your home. 

Winter months whip up cold air, which can bring damp, mould growth, and in some cases can inflict serious respiratory problems on you and your family. 

Heatwaves come crashing in during the summer months, forcing air conditioners to work at full force, sending your monthly bills through the roof. Hot temperatures can cause dehydration, which can lead to lower blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting. 

The best way to protect yourself and your home is by insulating it. Insulation acts like a blanket, wrapping around your house. 

And, because insulation resists the movement of heat, it keeps you cosy in winter and cool in summer. 

The measurement for the resistance to the heat movement that insulation provides is the ‘R-value.’ The higher the R-value, the slower the equalisation between the temperature inside and outside. The slower the equalisation, the better for you and your wallet! 

Why insulation is essential for the summer 

Research conducted by the Building Association of New Zealand shows that 47% of homes aren’t adequately insulated.

When homes aren’t properly insulated, they are less energy efficient, lose value, and make it even worse, they’re hotter in the summer. 

In the summer, temperatures in your roof space can climb to over 40 degrees. This heat can then transfer from your ceiling into your home. 

So, if you want to stay nice and cool in your house this summer, then you need good insulation! 

What houses have insulation?

Homes built before 1978 are likely not to be insulated. But you can still add insulation to your ceiling, floors, and walls at any point. 

 Any new builds now require insulation with a minimum R-value. Although it’s a good idea to exceed the minimum to ensure your home is always warm or cool. 

Houses built before 2007 will have insulation, but lower levels of what is required. And even if you already have an insulated home, insulation wears out over time and needs to be replaced. 

To beat the heat, we suggest that if you need insulation installed or replaced, it’s best to do it now rather than later. 

Where do you put insulation?

A professional can install insulation in: 

• •Ceilings: The insulation is installed in bulk between joists. A blanket is then rolled over the top to prevent heat from escaping, or entering, through the wooden joists. 
• •Floors: Insulation is placed underneath suspended timber and concrete floors and around the edge of concrete slabs. In new homes, it is installed around the perimeter and underside of concrete floor slabs. 
• •Walls: Insulation is usually placed within the wall framing. It can also be outside the framing, but it must be weatherproof. 

Once your insulation is installed and successfully wrapped around your house, your home will start resisting that summer heat! 

Environmental impact of insulation 

There is also an environmental benefit to making your home extra insulated. By reducing the energy use of a home, you’re reducing your environmental impact. 

But do the materials used also have an impact? 

Recycled material has become a popular insulation material. However, just insulating your home may be enough. 

Some studies have shown that the energy saved by insulation outweighs the energy consumed in the manufacturing of the materials. 

Your one stop shop for insulation

For the sake of you and your home, you need insulation, and you need it done right. 

In 2019, we installed more insulation than any other provider in the country. Our insulation installers are knowledgeable, experienced, and extremely good at what they do.  

The first step is to book your home energy assessment!