Affiliated Insulation Industry Coalition

Insulation is used in buildings to reduce the movement of heat and sound. A wide range of products are used to insulate buildings. These include batts, panels, loose-fill, sprays, structural insulated panels, and building membranes.

When new and existing buildings have adequately specified and installed insulation, the benefits to the community include:

• Reducing Australia’s annual emissions, potentially by 7.1 million tonnes of CO2e.
• Improving outcomes in physical, social, and mental health by better insulating homes and workplaces. Studies have shown for every dollar invested in vulnerable households, $7-10 in benefits are returned.
• Complementing efficient electrification of space heating and cooling, enabling occupants to pre-heat and cool homes with minimal energy waste, and take best advantage of household solar.
• Enabling the right sizing of space heating and cooling systems, household batteries and other infrastructure – reducing the costs of these upgrades, and the materials required to complete them.
• Promoting grid reliability by better matching supply and demand in an energy system powered by renewables.
• Making reverse cycle heating more comfortable by increasing internal surface temperatures, thus preventing cooled air creating a cold draught.
• Helping to reduce energy bills through decreased need to run heating and cooling.
• Reducing external noise, condensation, and the possibility of mould.
• Achieving appropriate fire resistance in a cost-effective manner.
• Enhancing the climate resilience of homes.

Insulation is a material that slows or prevents the flow of heat and helps to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer. The type of insulation best suited to a property can vary based on construction and climate zone.

Correct installation of insulation is essential to minimise risk of condensation or fire, and to maximise the benefits of the product.

Here are some resources for those interested in insulation, and for members of the insulation industry:

• EEC Certified Insulation Installer – Get certified to demonstrate best-in-class installation practices and participate in government programs that require certification.

• Insulation Handbook –Professional Installation Guide Version 8 – Issued by ICANZ and endorsed by the AIIC, this resource relates to the safe installation of insulation for ceilings, walls and floors.

• Guide to assessing ceiling insulation R-values in existing homes – Developed by ICANZ and endorsed by the AIIC, these guidelines aim to help householders, landlords, and energy efficiency professionals assess the performance level of insulation in the ceilings of existing homes.

• Your Home – Issued by the Federal government, this resource contains information about passive home design, including information on insulation including understanding insulation, achieving good outcomes with insulation, and additional resources and reading.

• Standards that apply to insulation – Issued by ICANZ, this list details standards relevant to the insulation of buildings.

• Standards Australia – Search or query an Australian Standard here.

• Insulation training videos for installers – Issued by ICANZ, training tool can be used as a series of toolbox talks; or as a complete instruction and induction tool.

• Condensation control in energy efficient Australian residential buildings – Issued by the AMBA, this fact sheet examines the permeance control strategy and alternative temperature control strategy for Australian residential buildings, and their impacts on energy efficiency, durability and occupant health.

• Insulation and ventilation – Issued by the government of South Australia, this resource explores the value of insulation and ventilation.

• Home insulation materials – Issued by the government of Victoria, this resource details types of insulation products

• Safe installation of insulation materials – Issued by the government of Tasmania, this resource provides advisory information for builders, owner builders, insulation contractors and home owners as well as new building work on any class or type of building and renovations or improvements of existing buildings.

• Insulation installation and air tightness – Issued by the government of Victoria, this resource contains information for trades and supervisors on how to correctly install insulation and seal a building, with a focus on identifying and treating common problem areas in residential construction.

• Sustainability of buildings incorporating polyurethane (PUR) insulation – Issued by AMBA, this fact sheet explores the role of polyurethane insulation products in Australia’s low-energy sustainable buildings and their implications for building design.

• Comparison of polyurethane insulation with other insulants – Issued by AMBA, this fact sheet compares polyurethane insulation with other common polymer-based and traditional fibrous insulants, and details their fire safety merits as part of a safe, sustainable built environment.

• Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) – Issued by AMBA, this fact sheet examines spray polyurethane foam (SPF) and its credentials as an ideal insulation for both low-energy houses and commercial mass wall systems.

• Electrical safety regulators – Electrical safety is essential to safe insulation install, and electrical safety requirements around install may differ by jurisdiction as well as whether or not the install is occurring in connection to a state/territory program or scheme. Visit the applicable regulator website for further detail.

• Industry Associations – Australian Modern Building Alliance, Insulation Australasia, Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand

• Information for trades and others working around insulation – advice for trades working around insulation.

• Net Zero Energy Builder – A learning hub for energy efficient construction established by the South Australian Government. Includes learning modules that provide the principles of building energy efficiency that can deliver high thermal performance.

• Energy Management Fundamentals – Energy Management Fundamentals provides foundation knowledge across a broad range of energy related topics, including thermal performance, through a series of online training courses.