12 Nov 2009
The Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) has stepped in to reassure Australian consumers about the safety of insulation after media reports of house fires and electrocution associated with insulation surfaced over the last month.
According to ICANZ CEO Dennis D’Arcy, all cases have been caused by either use of non-compliant, inappropriate materials or incorrect installation by un-trained installers.
The Energy Efficient Homes Package rebate, which came into effect at the beginning of July, offers free ceiling insulation up to $1,200 to Australian homes and has already seen significant uptake since the announcement. The strong uptake of this successful program provides the most immediate and cost effective option for improving the energy efficiency for Australian homes.
According to D’Arcy, whilst there have been some serious cases highlighted by the media and the impact on those homeowners effected should by no means be marginalised, these currently only comprise a small percentage of the half a million houses insulated to date.
“We have seen a spate of concerns that point to either product not being compliant with strict Australian standards, incorrectly used or installed. As an industry we need to inform and educate consumers to ensure they’re making the right choices when choosing the insulation options available.”
According to D’Arcy, as a first step consumers need to understand that not all products are created equal when it comes to ceiling insulation. Rockwool or glasswool – which have been used in over 70% of Australian homes insulated under the rebate – are non-combustible and do not conduct electricity - making them a safe option for use in homes. As an extra level of protection, D’Arcy also highlights that consumers need to check that the product being installed does in fact meet Australia’s rigorous product safety standards.
“We would strongly urge consumers to do their research on each insulation product to ensure that the product they are choosing is the best option for their circumstances that satisfies all industry guidelines as required under the Home Insulation Program. These details can be obtained from the Government website
www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency.
In addition, D’Arcy highlights the need for consumers to conduct some preliminary research into both the manufacturer of the product and the installer. “It’s important to make sure you’re getting the best people in the industry, with the requisite training and experience. You wouldn’t employ a builder to renovate your home without doing a preliminary background and reference check – the same should apply to allowing someone into your home to install insulation.”
The ICANZ three step checklist for consumers:
Check the product complies with relevant Australian standards – never assume
Look at the product brochures/packaging and make sure that you are dealing with a company that’s products are in compliance with AS4859.1 and preferably deal with a manufacturer that is certified to ISO9001, a benchmark of quality assurance.
All products that meet Australian Standards are safe if installed correctly, particularly around downlights and the government now requires a hazard assessment to be performed before all installations. Some products offer the added security of having been tested to Australian Standard 1530.1 which means they are deemed a Non Combustible building material*.
If you have any doubts, always call the manufacturer who is obliged to provide proof of compliance.
Investigate the company/installer – conduct a background check
Ask questions of the installer. Although the Government requires that all installers who are offering the rebate are competent before being allowed on the government register, there are additional steps that a homeowner can take. 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 provide additional training to Installers that purchase and install their product.
Take your time to choose the right insulation product – shop around
The Government now requires that all households obtain two quotes to be able to claim the rebate. Use this as your opportunity to explore all of your options in terms of the right product for your home prior to contacting an installer. See if the installer is able to provide a warranty certificate of performance on the product that they are installing. Check how long the manufacturer has been in operation. If they are reputable manufacturer and are willing to provide a lifetime warranty for the performance of the product, there is added security.
Householders and landlords hoping to take advantage of the Energy Efficient Homes Package, and receive free ceiling insulation to the value of $1200, can visit the website ICANZ website for more information at: www.icanz.org.au