Federal insulation program is vital step in right direction
16/Feb/2009
Australian has taken a very necessary and important step on the path towards achieving world class energy efficient housing with the passing of the Energy Efficient Homes package through the Senate, the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) said today.
Dennis D'Arcy, ICANZ CEO said, “Insulating Australia’s 2.7 million uninsulated homes will deliver major environmental benefits through greenhouse abatement and capture net economic gains for Australia’s economy.”
“Unlike many technologies such as clean coal, nuclear energy, geothermal or even large-scale solar generation, which will take many years to come on line, insulation is an existing technology that is available now and it will have an immediate impact on energy savings and greenhouse reduction from the day its installed.”
Mr D’Arcy said, that effective insulation is the cornerstone of improving the energy efficiency of Australian homes.
“It makes homes more affordable and more liveable.“
“By installing the right insulation correctly, householders and homeowners will benefit by saving on the cost of heating and cooling and by enjoying improved comfort levels and well-being, especially during times of temperature extremes,” he said.
Australia has some of the least energy efficient buildings in the OECD and even 5 Star rated homes are still well below the thermal performance levels of housing located in similar climates zones of Europe and the USA.
“Government policy initiatives to retrofit insulation and improve the energy efficiency of existing housing stock are common place in other developed countries such as Britain, New Zealand and the USA.
“The Energy Efficient Homes package is a sensible and vital requirement if Australia is to play its part in curbing burgeoning energy demand and greenhouse emissions and we welcome the passing of this package,” Mr D’Arcy said.
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Media inquiries: Glenn Schaube - GRS Communications 0439 320 151
