Australian houses are often poorly insulated due to a history of lax building codes, an initial focus on keeping cool with air conditioning rather than warm, cheap energy, and a cultural acceptance that cold homes are normal, leading to inadequate standards compared to Europe or North America where energy crises spurred efficiency earlier. While newer standards exist, most of Australia's housing stock is old, and retrofitting walls is difficult, leaving many homes draughty and energy inefficient.
Which country has the best insulation? Norway with 0.9 °C and Germany with 1 °C are the countries with the lowest home temperature losses. UK homes are losing heat three times faster than houses in Norway and Germany.
“Australian homes tend to be uninsulated, draughty and fitted with inefficient heaters. “This means that warmth dissipates quickly once heating is switched off, air movement between heated areas and the colder walls and windows make people feel uncomfortable, and it makes heating very ineffective and expensive.
British homes are often very old, especially for people living in rural and urban areas. Builders weren't worried about insulating homes 100+ years ago; when many of these homes were built; so many homes simply don't have the cavity walls needed to internally insulate.
Insulation products come in 2 main categories — bulk and reflective — which are sometimes combined into a composite material. All insulation materials that are sold in Australia must meet Australian Standard AS/NZS 4859, Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings.
Australia's generally mild climate has contributed to a lack of urgency in adopting thermally efficient building standards. Compared to regions with harsher winters, there has been less incentive to invest in high-performance insulation and airtight construction.
External wall insulation systems play a crucial role in maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year. Whether it's trapping air to prevent heat transfer or reflecting heat away, these insulation methods prove effective in both warm and cold climates.
How to tell if your house is poorly insulated
From 1st January 2025, single-split air conditioning systems using refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of more than 750 will be banned from sale in the UK. This move is part of the UK's F-Gas regulations, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and aligning with net-zero targets.
If you're cold even though your thermostat indicates you shouldn't be, your furnace likely isn't the problem. In most cases, it's working just fine. It's your home that needs attention. Lack of insulation, severe air leakage, and/or unbalanced ductwork are frequently to blame.
The 28/36 rule in Australia is a financial guideline for borrowing, suggesting housing costs shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross monthly income, and total debts (housing, car loans, credit cards) shouldn't surpass 36% of your gross monthly income; it helps prevent mortgage stress by ensuring you can afford repayments, though Australian lenders often use slightly different (sometimes higher) benchmarks like 30% for housing costs, plus an APRA serviceability buffer.
How to Keep a Poorly Insulated House Warm
Australia is largely "empty" due to its harsh, arid interior (the Outback) dominated by deserts and extreme heat, making it difficult to farm and sustain large populations, leading most people to settle in the fertile, temperate coastal regions where colonization began and resources are more accessible, with over 85% of the population living along the east and southwest coasts.
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Scandinavian Homes houses have 400mm mineral wool insulation at this point. (Irish building regulation requires 150mm). The walls usually have 145mm of mineral wool wall insulation. It is fire-proof, non-toxic and non-biodegradable.
Tidiness takeaways
If there were an official title for cleanest country in the world, Japan might take home the trophy, but that wouldn't be without strong competition from Singapore, Rwanda, and Switzerland.
The 3-minute rule is a simple but important guideline: wait at least three minutes after turning your air conditioner off before turning it back on. That short pause gives the refrigerant pressure in the system time to equalize.
The word “aircon” is a shortened slang form of air conditioning or air conditioner. It's widely used in: British English.
Quick Easy Tips. Close shutters or curtains during the hottest part of the day to block direct sunlight. Open windows at night and early morning to create airflow and cool rooms naturally. Drink water regularly and switch to herbal teas like mint or chamomile for cooling effects.
Common symptoms may include irritated, itchy, watery, or burning sensation of the eyes, nose, or throat, or itchy skin or skin rashes. Occasionally, some people report breathing difficulties, especially if they are asthmatic or have other breathing disorders.
Wet insulation should be removed or it can lead to mould, mildew or cause your ceiling or roof rafters to rot. In general, either batt or rolled insulation or blown loose-fill insulation (fiberglass or cellulose) can be installed on top of old insulation.
A house without cold drafts is a well-insulated one. Cool air enters around doorways and window frames. In the winter months if there is no insulation, there will be a draft. Insulation, including foam insulation for cracks and crevices, will drastically reduce the occurrence of drafts.
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The cost of insulating an attic typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on factors such as insulation type, attic size, and regional labor rates. For example, fiberglass insulation may cost between $0.90 and $1.80 per square foot, while spray foam insulation can range from $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot.
Ideally, your attic should have a 10-20-degree difference from the temperature outside to ensure optimum cooling.