…and what to do about it.

Many NSW homes, particularly those built before the 1970s, lack proper insulation. Uninsulated roofs, leaky windows and doors, and single-pane glass can all mean your home is chilly. Worse, you’re spending a fortune on heating and you’re still cold. Thankfully, there are several solutions to improve your home’s thermal performance so you can stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Top tips for combatting the cold in Gloucester NSW

1. Ceiling insulation

Your roof is the champion heat culprit; it’s estimated around 45% of heat loss and gain is via your ceiling and your roof. The easy way to fix this is ceiling insulation. Insulation batts, typically made from fibreglass or wool and placed between ceiling joists, are the most common form of ceiling insulation. You can also get sheep’s wool, rock wool, spray foam insulation and more. You want to engage a reputable company to install your insulation of choice; if your tradie leaves gaps, you’ve wasted your money. However, installed correctly, ceiling insulation can significantly reduce your energy bills and give you a more comfortable living environment.

2. Window insulation

We all feel the cold or heat when we stand next to our windows. However, there are several options to mitigate heat loss or gain. Think about:

• Insulated curtains or blinds

These types of window coverings have a thermal lining that adds another layer of insulation, preventing heat transfer. Look, they won’t instantly make your home cosy but they’ll improve the indoor temperature by a few degrees. Combined with our other suggestions, this could make all the difference.

• Low-E glass

Low-emissivity (low-e) glass has a coating that reflects infrared radiation, keeping heat in during winter and reducing solar heat gain in summer.

• Double-glazing

Double-glazing, where two panes of glass are separated by a sealed air gap, is the ultimate window insulation solution and one we don’t see often in Australia. Yes, it’s costly but over the long term, worth it due to savings on energy bills. Double-glazing will significantly reduce any heat transfer, meaning your home will be more comfortable – winter or summer.

3. Weather strips

Don’t be deterred by the thought of installing your own weather strips. Most of our homes have tiny (or not-so-tiny) gaps around windows and doors. However, even tiny gaps can mean a decent draught that will make you feel uncomfortable. You can buy adhesive weather strips in a roll from any decent hardware store so hop on down to Bunnings and grab a couple of rolls. For exterior doors, consider screw-on weather strips for the bottom of the door. Screw-on weather strips tend to have a fringe that blocks draughts while allowing for free movement of your doors.You can buy adhesive fringe weather strips but the screw-on ones are more durable.

4. Skylights

Skylights are a beautiful way to introduce natural light into your home. However, they can also be a source of unwanted heat gain or heat loss. For winter insulation, consider cellular blinds designed for skylights. These blinds trap a layer of air, providing extra insulation. In summer, choose shades with a high solar reflectance index (SRI) to reflect sunlight and prevent excessive heat gain. However, anything that blocks the sun will help.

Other tips

Here are some more tips for a well-insulated NSW home:

• Insulate under your floor: Older-style hardwood floors benefit from under-floor insulation.
• Upgrade your doors: Solid-core doors offer better insulation compared to hollow-core doors. They’re more expensive but they have the added benefit of dampening noise.

If you can put all these strategies into place, you’ll be improving your comfort and creating an energy-efficient home. A well-insulated home not only translates to lower energy bills but also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Need advice on selling your Gloucester region property?

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