INSULATION 

House insulation is the single most effective measure you can take to keep your home comfortable all year round and to save money on energy bills.

Unfortunately, most New Zealand homes are inadequately insulated, and a quarter of New Zealand families have no house insulation. This means that New Zealand homes (particularly those built before 1978) are often cold, damp, energy-inefficient, and expensive to run.

If your energy bills are high and you're still experiencing dampness, this could mean that your house insulation is below standard. These homes often don’t get as warm inside as the recommended 18°C, which is a problem because indoor temperatures below 16°C increase the risk of respiratory disease (World Health Organisation).

Many homeowners attempt to fix this by installing heat pumps, dehumidifiers, and other devices instead of first addressing the fundamental problem: little or no insulation.