ICANZ welcomes state govt. insulation rebate for Vic. homes
30/Jul/2007
The Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ) today welcomed the announcement by John Thwaites, the outgoing Minister for Environment and Sustainability, of an insulation rebate scheme.
The rebate will be available from 13 August 2007 and will provide up to $300 to home owners who install insulation, and $500 to concession card holders and landlords who do the same for tenants with concession cards.
Dennis D'Arcy, ICANZ President,said, “The most sustainable energy is energy saved. Insulation is universally recognized as the most cost effective way to immediately reduce greenhouse gases and energy waste in the home.
“The insulation rebate is a much needed initiative and will have an immediate and lasting impact on reducing energy waste and greenhouse emissions.
“With nearly 28 per cent of Victorian homes uninsulated, the need to reduce energy waste through retrofitting insulation into these energy inefficient homes is paramount,” Mr D’Arcy said.
Many of Victoria’s uninsulated older homes are low income households or rental properties where tenants are not responsible for the energy efficiency of the home but must unnecessarily pay more for heating and cooling their homes.
"The $500 insulation rebate for landlords and concession card holders will do much to address social inequity and improve the comfort and well being of low income households, especially those that are renting,” Mr D’Arcy said.
To obtain the rebate householders must engage a trained and approved installer who understands the requirements for the safe and responsible fitting of insulation.
“Insulation should be installed in strict accord with the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure it is doing its job properly," Mr D'Arcy said.
Mr D’Arcy added that ICANZ members produce the world's leading non-combustible glasswool and rockwool insulation batts and stand ready to support this excellent government initiative.
