Insulation and draught sealing
Up to one-third of your home's warmth can be lost through the ceiling in winter. And in summer you can expect the same loss of cooling.
An additional 10-20% is lost through the walls of your home.
Even if you already have insulation, it can be worth topping up or replacing after a long period. After many years insulation will settle and lose its effectiveness.
Step by step instructions on how to install double-glazing plastic on your windows for improved insulation.
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For more information on insulating windows, see Watch wasteful windows.
THE average Moreland home uses half of its energy on heating and cooling, but you could be losing about a third of this heat through the ceiling and a further 10 to 20 per cent through the walls – unless they are well-insulated.
Imagine trying to stay warm in winter without a jumper.
A well-insulated house will be cooler in summer and warmer in winter and is less expensive to run all year around. Insulation slows down the transfer of heat from inside your house to outside and vice versa.
It means you do not have to use heaters and airconditioners as much. And when you do, you can use them for a shorter time and with greater effect.
Insulation — also sometimes called batts — is most commonly installed in the form of bulk material and foil.
These can be installed in your ceiling, walls and under your floor. Windows provide poor insulation. Even when they’re closed, they let heated air escape and cold air in.
Thick, lined curtains reduce air leakage and keep your home comfortable.
A low-cost option is to double glaze the windows using sheets of heat-shrink plastic. These are sold as kits.
Green Guru appears every three weeks in the Moreland Leader.
A simple way to stay warm in winter
Air leakages- often called draughts- are the biggest enemies of warm and comfortable homes in winter. Gaps and cracks around your doors and windows can result in considerable heat loss in winter. Studies have shown that gaps and cracks in Moreland homes cause as much air leakage as having a window open all the time!
Door snakes are your first line of defence against draughts. Door seals, that are stuck or screwed on to the bottom of your door, are a more permanent solution to air leaks from under your doors. These can be used in internal doors as well, if you’re heating one room at a time.
Self-adhesive weather seals prevent cold air entering the house and heated air escaping in winter. These are available at your local hardware store and are very easy to install. You just have to clean the surface, peel away the backing and stick them to your door or window frames to fill any cracks or gaps.
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Remember- the best way to save on your energy bills is by trying to warm just your home, not your neighbourhood!
All Moreland concession card holders are eligible for a free home energy check-up, draught-sealing and other energy-efficiency products and installation through the ZCM Concession Assist program.
Windows are an important part of household energy efficiency. Up to one-third of the heat lost and gained in homes is through poorly protected or positioned windows.
In winter all windows require protection from heat loss. When warm air comes into contact with a cold window, the heat transfers through the glass, and the cooled air falls to the floor forming a cold draught. This makes the room significantly cooler and less comfortable.
Window protection such as curtains and pelmets, double glazing, close fitting blinds and tightly sealed shutters all help to keep your home much more snug, and also reduce your winter heating costs.
Sustainability Advice is a service of the Moreland Solar City project, part of the Australian Government's Solar Cities initiative, led by the Moreland Energy Foundation, in partnership with Moreland City Council, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Sustainability Victoria.
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