Insulation recovers energy/greenhouse production costs within five weeks
12/Feb/2009
The energy and greenhouse gases saved by installing insulation into the 2.7 million uninsulated homes, as proposed by the Federal Government’s Energy Efficient Homes Package, far outweighs the energy used in the production of the insulation, according to the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ).
Mr D’Arcy, ICANZ CEO said, “When ceiling insulation is correctly installed into a typical home, the energy and greenhouse gas emissions produced during its manufacture would be recovered within around four or five weeks.
“We estimate that when R3.5 glasswool insulation batts are installed into a typical existing home with a remaining lifespan of say 40 years, it will save over 340 times the energy that was used to make them.
“The building codes for new homes, which have an average life expectancy of 70 to 80 years, already have provisions for minimum energy performance that include insulation.
“We are a little surprised that a question regarding the relative performance of insulation in saving energy compared to energy required to make it has been raised in the media, Parliament, and during the Senate inquiry, as the answer is so unequivocally in favour of insulation,” Mr D’Arcy said.
“For quite some time now both here and overseas residential building insulation has been well recognised as the most immediate, sustainable and cost effect measure in addressing burgeoning residential energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. For example:
- Research by the international consulting firm McKinsey and Company – A cost curve for greenhouse gas reduction found that ‘Almost a quarter of possible emissions reductions would result from measures (such as better insulation in buildings that carry no net lifecycle cost, in fact they come free of charge)’.
- Stern Review – Economics of Climate Change found that ‘energy efficiency has the potential to be the biggest single source of emissions savings in the energy sector. This would have both environmental and economic benefits: energy-efficiency measures cut waste and often save money’.
- United Nations Environmental Project – Buildings and climate change, Status Challenges and Opportunities highlights that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the building sector accounts for 30-40 per cent of global energy use. Substantial benefits can be gained at low cost by improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
- International Energy Agency – World Energy Outlook 2006 found that ‘Meeting the world’s growing hunger for energy requires massive investment in energy supply infrastructure… Policies that encourage the more efficient production and use of energy contribute 80 per cent of the avoided CO2 emissions…’.
“As a one-off investment, insulation provides substantial and ongoing benefits in energy and greenhouse gas savings. It also improves the comfort, health and well-being benefits that flow on to extra money in the household budget, improved productivity, and less incidents of illness,” Mr D’Arcy said.
Mr D’Arcy also reported that some Australians are seeking more comfort by buying air-conditioners instead of insulating or improving the energy efficiency of their homes first. The number of air conditioners installed in Australia rose from 33 per cent of homes in 1994 to over 60 per cent of homes in 2005 (ABS 4602.0 2005).
“This trend has continued and is one of the main reasons for increasing home energy demand.
“Importantly, the Federal Government’s insulation measures are a key to addressing burgeoning household energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.
They will also assist many less fortunate Australians to achieve the comfort levels they desire and reduce their energy bills, leaving more money for rent, mortgage or other household budget items,” Mr D’Arcy said.
Media inquiries: Glenn Schaube GRS Communications: 03 9478 5224, 0439 320 151
