Insulating your home not only makes your living more comfortable, but more affordable as well.
There’s no need to spend money on air conditioning and heating when your house is properly insulated; it keeps your interior cool in summer and warm in winter. A well-insulated building is easier and cheaper to cool or heat, as the air indoors stays at a comfortable temperature.
Plus, insulation is no longer just a nice-to-have: the new SANS 10400-XA:2021 building regulations stipulate that proper insulation is a legal requirement for any new structure in South Africa.
Home Insulation Do’s and Don’ts
If your new home is currently under construction and is being insulated for the first time, or you’re living in a property that needs new insulation, here’s everything you need to know:
The Do’s
Do hire a professional
While we love a good DIY, we suggest leaving your insulation installation to the professionals. There are so many factors to consider, like the different types of insulation, legal compliance, potential hazards, and others.
An experienced professional is also up to date with the latest products, materials, and regulations, so they’ll be able to offer you expert advice when it comes to your home insulation.
Do check the regulations
You should never use materials that have not been approved for insulation. Recommended products are chosen for their fire and moisture resistance, energy efficiency, R-value, durability, and other factors.
Your home should be insulated with materials that are in compliance with the South African National Building Regulations SANS 10400-XA:2021, and are TIPSASA (Thermal Insulation Products & Systems Association South Africa) accredited.
Do go green
If you have any sway on the type of insulation used for your new home, go green and do your part for this planet we all call home.
Summit’s XPS Insulation Boards, for example, are manufactured in a factory that follows a strict global warming potential protocol and has zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential). It yields no harmful waste, is 100% recyclable, and its exceptionally long lifespan reduces its overall carbon footprint.
Do get specific
Any good insulator will regulate your home’s temperature, but why stop there? Some manufacturers produce materials with more features, such as anti-mildew. Mould and mildew can be harmful to not only building integrity, but also to family and pets. If you want to avoid mould damage altogether, consider products that already have your concerns factored in.
Another ingenious feature to consider is anti-flame spread. Summit’s XPS Insulation Boards are B/B1/2/H&V classified, which means they pose no flame-spread hazard. If exposed to fire, it shrinks away from the heat source, with no flaming droplets. Its efficacy is also recognised by TIPSASA.
The Don’ts
Don’t forget other air leaks
While insulating your walls, floor, and ceiling is a massive step in regulating temperature and saving energy, it’s not the only source of air leaks.
Make sure you check around your windows and exterior doors for cracks and gaps. If you find any, be sure to properly seal them to maximise your home insulation efficiency. Your home loses 10 – 35% of its heat through the windows and doors alone!
Don’t ignore your pipes
Another strategy to get the most out of your home insulation is to insulate your hot water pipes. Hot water loses a lot of heat when travelling through cold pipes, which means you’ll have to let the water run longer before it actually heats up.
Insulating your pipes will keep heat contained longer, so you waste less water, time, and money.
Don’t remove old insulation yourself
Home insulators are designed to last. However, there are circumstances where it’s best to remove and replace:
- You’ve had a leak, causing severe mould and damage,
- Your attic (the space between the roof and ceiling) is infested with small critters, such as rodents or squirrels,
- The insulation is really, really old and no longer effective.
As we stated with installing insulation, it’s best to get professionals to remove the current insulation for the same reasons. Plus, you want to be extra cautious when dealing with harmful mould or toxic waste! Let the experts deal with it.
Now you’re ready to take on your home insulation and live comfortably!
