We often focus on colours, tiles and fittings when renovating, but insulation plays a surprisingly big role in how comfortable and healthy our homes feel – so it’s an important element to get right!

According to the team at Bradford Insulation, getting your insulation right doesn’t just help with energy efficiency. It can improve indoor air quality, reduce stress levels and even support better mental health.

Let’s take a closer look at why reliable insulation should be part of your plan from the ground up.

Better air quality

Even though Aussies spend more than 90% of their time indoors, indoor air quality has only recently started to get the attention it deserves.¹ The COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on the way airborne viruses and pollutants move through our homes, schools and workplaces.

As Burnet Director and CEO, Professor Brendan Crabb AC explains, improving indoor air quality interventions is essential to reducing the health, social and economic impacts of transmissible diseases and airborne pollutants.²

Insulation helps by managing indoor sealing your home against outdoor allergens, pollutants and toxins, which is especially important for anyone with asthma or respiratory sensitivities. Proper insulation also helps control moisture levels, keeping your home dry and mould-free.

Stay cosy year-round

From the humidity of the Top End to the icy winters down south, insulation plays a huge role in keeping Aussie homes comfortable in every season. It works by creating a thermal barrier that keeps heat in during winter and out during summer, and that helps regulate the temperature indoors.

This thermal regulation is crucial for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment across Australia’s diverse climate zones, ensuring that families stay safe and well regardless of the season.

Consistent indoor temps also mean you’re less likely to be constantly reaching for the heater or air con remote, which is good news for your bills too.

A quieter home is a calmer home

Anyone who’s lived on a busy street or near a construction zone knows how much noise can affect your mood. Constant background noise isn’t just annoying, it can lead to increased stress, disrupted sleep and even mental health concerns like anxiety.

Insulation helps block unwanted sounds and reduce noise in a house. That means a more peaceful home, better sleep and a calmer mind.

Studies have shown that exposure to residential noise sources like road traffic, aircraft, trains, and industrial activities can lead to psychological distress, anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances. These detrimental effects severely undermine overall well-being and quality of life.³

A buffer against the wild weather

Insulation isn’t just about comfort; it also helps protect your home from the elements. As climate change ramps up the intensity of weather events across the country, having a well-insulated home can offer a layer of defence.

Insulation also helps protect the structural integrity of your home. By preventing moisture buildup and reducing the risk of damage, insulation ensures that your home remains safe and habitable, reducing health hazards associated with structural issues.

Less energy, lower bills, healthier planet

Making your home more energy efficient doesn’t just reduce your bills. It also means you’re consuming less power overall, which has flow-on benefits for your health and the environment.

According to a report from the Australian Climate Council, by adding insulation and fixing drafts, Australian households across different capital cities can save between $354 and $1,561 annually on their energy bills. These substantial savings are a direct result of reduced energy consumption enabled by improved insulation.⁴

Sources:

1. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/air-quality/indoor-air ↩︎
2. https://www.burnet.edu.au/ ↩︎
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379722001568 ↩︎
4. https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CC_MVSA0353-CC-Report-Two-for-One-Home-Energy-Efficiency_V5.2-FA-Screen-Single.pdf ↩︎

_{Top image: Soul Home}

Do you struggle with inadequate insulation in your home? Leave us a comment below.