When it comes to energy efficiency and the cost of heating and cooling, Australian homes have historically fallen short of world’s best practice. And this not only affects our wallets – it has environmental consequences. The built environment contributes almost 19% of Australia’s total energy use and 18% of greenhouse gas emissions¹. Improving the sustainability of our homes will have a profound impact on us all.

At the heart of energy efficient and human-centred building design is insulation. A fundamental building material, insulation helps contain energy costs through passive cooling and warming and plays a pivotal role in creating a healthy indoor environment.

By leveraging our leading-edge insulation solutions and tapping into the expertise of our national Technical team, we help architects, designers and builders create homes that epitomise best practice in sustainability.

How insulation helps to create better living environments, sustainably

When we develop our insulation solutions, we consider the health, well being and fire safety benefits for people and the impact of these solutions on the environment. It’s a holistic approach that addresses thermal and acoustic comfort, energy efficiency, condensation management, protection from the elements, indoor air quality, fire safety and environmental sustainability:

Thermal comfort

Insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures by minimising the transfer of heat between the interior and exterior of a building. This means that in hot weather, insulation plays a significant role in maintaining a cooler indoor environment, and in cold weather, in retaining heat. Fletcher Insulation’s high quality glasswool insulation and thermal building membranes play a significant role in maintaining indoor temperatures.

Acoustic comfort

In residential spaces, unwanted noise can lead to poor sleep and impact daily life. Whether the source is external (such as from traffic, construction, and machinery) or internal (air-conditioners, plumbing, loud music and impact noise from the floor above), noise leads to poor sound quality within the home. Our acoustic insulation solutions play a crucial role in walls, floors, ceilings and roofing by reducing unwanted noise.

Improved energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse emissions

Insulation is a proven, cost-effective solution for reducing energy consumption. By helping create a more thermally efficient home with the right insulation solutions, you’ll use less energy to heat and cool your space, reducing energy costs and your environmental footprint. 

Condensation management

Condensation refers specifically to the process of water vapour changing its state to liquid water. This occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with a surface that is cooler than the dew point of the air. The water vapour in the air then condenses into liquid water on the cooler surface. Condensation can lead to the growth of mould on indoor surfaces and in the building envelope (walls, floors and roof). Exposure to mould fragments, spores and mycotoxins can lead to adverse health effects including infections, toxicity, allergies and inflammation.

Our quality building membranes (wall wraps and roof sarkings) are tested to Australian Standards for water and water vapour control which assists with condensation management in differing ways depending on the climate, building application and specific project requirements.

Humidity control

Humidity specifically refers to the amount of water vapour present in the air, affecting how comfortable we feel. The combination of glasswool insulation and building membranes is crucial for a comprehensive approach to humidity control. Glasswool insulation contributes to temperature regulation, indirectly influencing humidity, while building membranes, depending on their type, assist in managing moisture by allowing or restricting the movement of water vapour through the building envelope.

Protection from outside pollutants

Building membranes (wall wraps and roof sarkings), along with the proper sealing of windows and doors, can help prevent outdoor pollutants (like pollen, dust, and pollutants from vehicles) from entering the indoor environment. They are an important element of the construction process as they protect the structure, keeping the elements out, and are designed to continue to perform once the build is completed, contributing to a healthier indoor air quality. Our walls wraps and roof sarking solutions undergo rigorous testing to meet Australian Standards to ensure optimal performance for different building applications.

Supporting healthy CO² levels

While insulation itself doesn’t allow fresh air to enter, it is often part of a broader strategy that includes ventilation systems to ensure a healthy indoor environment. Our high quality thermal insulation helps retain the desired indoor temperature. This allows ventilation systems to operate effectively without unnecessary strain, optimising the exchange of indoor and outdoor air and minimising CO² buildup. The right insulation and ventilation are essential for creating healthy and comfortable living, working and learning spaces.

Fire safety

Specially engineered to protect people from the impact of fire, Fletcher Insulation’s non-combustible glasswool insulation and low flammability building membranes (wall wraps and roof sarkings), act as critical barriers, slowing down the spread of fire and affording occupants valuable time for safe evacuation. This proactive approach is fundamental for saving lives during fire emergencies.

For the good of the planet

As the effects of climate change become more apparent, people are searching for ways to save energy and lower their energy bills.

Insulation is a smart choice for energy efficiency. It reduces household costs and emissions, plus it makes your home more comfortable to live in.

At Fletcher Insulation, we’re committed to eco-friendly manufacturing. We’re actively working to decrease the carbon footprint of the built environment by:

• making insulation with zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
• ensuring our insulation products support healthy indoor air quality. Our products don’t contain any harmful levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• using recycled materials in our manufacturing process wherever possible. Up to 80% of the glass used in our glasswool insulation is recycled, helping reduce landfill pollution by giving new life to waste materials.

Our eco-friendly insulation materials, which are used in walls, ceilings, under floors and in roofs, help create more comfortable and environmentally friendly homes.

At Fletcher Insulation, we’ll help you choose the optimal insulation solutions for your residential projects.

Our solutions help create:

• a healthier indoor environment for people to live in
• reduced energy solutions to control costs and environmental impact
• higher Green-Star ratings and WELL certification
• compliant fire-resistant construction systems

REFERENCE

1. Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Government Priorities: Buildings, https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/buildings, accessed 6 December 2023.