Do you want to reduce your household’s environmental impact? Installing insulation is one of the best things you can do!
How does insulation benefit the environment?
Heating and cooling are one of the biggest energy consumers in Australian households. Insulation products resist the transfer of heat to keep your home cooler during summer and warmer during winter.
With insulation throughout your home, you’ll rely less on artificial heating and cooling, reducing your energy consumption. Less energy consumption means less fossil fuel is being burnt and less pollutants such as carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere.
Insulation should be installed throughout the entire home to maximise the environmental benefits. That includes installing insulation in the roof and ceiling, external and internal walls, under floors and between floors of multi-storey homes.
What are the most environmentally friendly insulation materials?
Insulation products are most commonly made from glasswool or polyester.
Glasswool (also known as fiberglass) is manufactured from recycled glass materials such as glass bottles and flat sheets. The rest of the glass is sourced from sand, an abundant resource. Glass materials are crushed and spun into fibres which are bound together to form insulation batts. Glasswool products can be recycled at the end or their life if they are in an adequate condition.
Polyester insulation products are made predominantly from recycled plastic materials including plastic bottles. Polyester products are a good option for people with asthma and other allergies because they have no breathable particles. Like glasswool, polyester batts can be recycled at the end of their life.
Most environmentally friendly insulation brands
If you are looking for insulation brands that are kinder to Earth, consider the manufacturing processes and materials that they use. The good news is many insulation companies are striving for more sustainable targets and reduced energy waste in their manufacturing processes.
Knauf is one of the leaders when it comes to sustainable and environmentally friendly insulation manufacturing. Earthwool batts, Knauf’s most popular home insulation, is one of the most reliable products for Australians who want an eco-friendly choice.
What makes Earthwool Insulation eco-friendly?
Knauf Earthwool insulation boasts of a wide range of environmentally friendly properties including:
- Lower embodied energy compared to traditional glasswool products
- Up to 80% recycled glass content
- Bio-based binder instead of petroleum-based chemicals
- No nasty chemicals such as phenol or formaldehyde
- No artificial colours – Earthwool is a natural brown colour
- Advanced compression packaging which reduces packaging waste and transport costs.
Increase R-Value to make your insulation more energy efficient
The R-Value of an insulation product refers to how well it prevents the transfer of heat. Products with a higher R-Value have more insulating power which means they are more effective at slowing down heat loss and gain.
Whether you are planning on installing insulation in a new or existing home, consider upgrading to a higher R-Value. With a higher R-Value, your home will stay more comfortable throughout the year, reducing your energy consumption and your household’s environmental impact.
