Air sealing is one of simplest yet most effective ways to lock in the heat and stop it from escaping out those cracks and gaps in your home. With the right solution, it is a hugely cost-effective way to cut heating costs, increase comfort, improve durability and create an all round healthier home environment. The most common places air can sneak through are doors and window frames, attic hatches, cents and fans, baseboards and electrical outlets.

WHAT IS CAULKING

Caulk or caulking is a sealing material used to seal joints or seams to prevent leakage in various structures and piping (like no more gaps). Most caulk products come in disposable cartridges that fit in a caulking gun. The best time to apply caulk is during fine weather – always make sure the area is clean and dry before application. If possible, try caulk window and door frames at a consistent angle and in one straight, continuous stream to avoid stops and starts which are less effective.

TO CAULK OR NOT TO CAULK

Whether it’s a door or window frame, caulking is a great way to cover up cracks and small openings less than one quarter-inch wide on the stationary objects in your home that don’t open or close.  Caulking can also prevent water damage inside and outside your home when used around ceiling fixtures, drains, faucets and other plumbing fixtures. If the caulk starts to ooze out of a gap, use a putty knife to push it back in to avoid any gaps in the sealant where air can get through.

WHY WE  WEATHERSTRIP

If you’re trying to seal components that move such as doors and usable windows, weatherstripping is the best option. Always choose a type of  weatherstripping capable of withstanding the elements – from  friction to temperature changes, weather and the wear and tear the area might be susceptible to. This means if you’re applying it to a door bottom, weatherstripping could drag on carpet or wear away from feet walking in and out. It’s also  important to make sure you work with the sliding of panes whether it’s up and down, out or sideways. The weatherstripping should always seal well when the door or window is closed, without restricting it from opening.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT WEATHERSTRIPPING Choose the right product for the location. Felt and open-cell  foams can be  cheaper but they’re also often ineffective when it comes to blocking airflow. While vinyl is a bit more expensive, it holds up well and resists moisture. Metal weatherstripping is both affordable and long-lasting – and also adds a nice aesthetic to older homes.

STILL UNSURE?

For more tips on keeping the air in and the cold out, as well as ventilation, contact the team at Awarua Synergy today for professional, quality advice.

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With the ever increasing rate of climate change, there’s no better time than now to start adapting the way you use energy in the home. Making your energy use sustainable not only saves the planet, it saves you money so you have more freedom to spend on other things.

LED VERSUS DOWNLIGHTS

Swapping downlights for IC rated LED lights is a no-brainer when it comes to energy efficiency. Longer  lasting and containing no harmful gases, they’re good for your carbon footprint and your pocket. They’re also significantly brighter, making them the clear winner when it comes to quality lighting.

SWITCH YOUR SETTINGS

It may seem simple, but changing your washing machine settings can make a real difference to your energy use. Wait until you have a full load and switch your dial to cold wash. Not only does it extend the lifespan of your clothing, it saves an enormous amount of energy when the machine doesn’t have to work harder to heat the water.

ENCOURAGING AIR FLOW

Does the temperature in the room not match the thermostat? You’re probably blocking the ventilation. Make sure you don’t put furniture or other items too close to the air registers, that way the air can circulate more freely throughout your home. If it’s too humid or too nippy, a blocked air vent could invite mold or mildew in and around your vent and air ducts.

SWITCH IT OFF

Unplugging your devices when they’re not in use is another handy tip. Whether it’s a charger or appliance, switch it off at the wall when you’re done with it or heading out for the day. Phantom energy is a thing – it’s the electricity that devices and appliances pull from the outlet while plugged in, even when the device is off.

KEEP IT COSY

Don’t forget to make use of your blinds and curtains –  you’ll be surprised at how much heat they retain just by keeping them pulled on those colder days.

STILL UNSURE?

If you’re looking for some extra tools of the trade when it comes to planet and pocket preservation, contact the team at Awarua Synergy for more information.

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Can’t quite put your finger on what’s bringing the chill and damp inside?

Whether it’s your first home or a 30 year investment, there are plenty of simple tips and tricks to keeping your home healthy –  especially during those chilly Southland months. From opening windows to making use of your household fans, it doesn’t take a lot to prevent the mould and cold from making its way inside.

AIR VENTILATION 

One of the easiest and most effective things you can do is open your doors and windows for at least 10 minutes each day. When we lock up too often, it gives moisture the perfect opportunity to sneak its way in –  that’s why regularly keeping the house ventilated for a little amount of time is so important. While it may be hard to believe, the best time to do this is actually when your house is warm. Doing so when it’s cold does still work, however warm air carries moisture out of the room more effectively. Leaving cupboards slightly open can also help with keeping mould off your clothes and linen, as can using extractor fans in your kitchen and bathroom when they’re in use.

AVOIDING THE DAMP

Don’t dry your washing inside. We know, during the wet weather it can be hard to avoid but it’s another really effective way to avoid dampness. Drying clothes and towels inside creates  a breeding ground for mould, dust mites and other organisms which would like nothing more than to make the moisture in your home their home. While it may feel like a better option than constantly running your dryer or taking the time to hang it on the line, the health benefits for your family and your home are worth giving it up for.

HEALTHY HEATING

Unflued gas heaters are an infamous source of moisture and condensation. Because they have no flue or chimney to carry the combustion products outside or away, not only do the toxic fumes contribute to a range of health problems, the mould they produce can make for one very sick home dweller. Invest in a cleaner heating appliance such as a flued gas heater, heat pump central heating or an electric heater to keep that air circulating.

Having proper insulation in your home means it’ll help keep the house to the desired temperature all year round, and you’ll be protected from excess cold in winter or too much heat in the summer months.

STILL UNSURE?

If you’ve had a read of the tips and tricks and you’re still not sure what to  do, contact the team at Awarua Synergy today to book in a complimentary healthy homes assessment with one of our expert staff.

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How Awarua Synergy helped a Southland Family

When Nena bought her home in Otatara, she wasn’t thinking about insulation. Her family was told that there wasn’t any insulation in the ceiling, but all they could think about was having a place of their own.

But once winter fully set in, it was a different story.

We had to do something

At first, Nena simply turned on the heaters throughout the house. But with a large 4-bedroom home to heat, the place never seemed to warm up. That was something the family was willing to deal with… Until it started to affect the X-month old baby.

Nena has a baby monitor that flashes when the temperature drops below 14∞C. With the chilling winter winds battering the uninsulated house, the monitor flashed for days on end, even with all of the panel heaters on max. “It flashed at us all night.” Nena said. “The temperature in her room was only 6 degrees. We had to do something.”

Polite and helpful

After researching the issue, they decided that installing some insulation would be the best option. They called a few companies for an inspection and quote, and several of them were pushy, rude, and insistent. Nena didn’t want to work with someone like that.

Then she called Awarua Synergy and it was like a breath of fresh air. “They were very polite and helpful.” She said, noting how the assessor told them the benefits and let them make their own decision without any pressure. They made an appointment for ceiling insulation shortly after.

The actual installation process went smoothly and was much quicker than Nena expected. “They started around the time I went to work and they were done by lunch.” She said, surprised the crew was so efficient. Her family remarked that they were polite and friendly, and even tossed in a few jokes to lighten the mood.

Not a penny more

One thing that Nena was most pleased about was how the quotes and pricing was done. The upfront quote for her home was approximately $3500, which included materials and labour for her large 4-bedroom home with two lounge suites and dining rooms.

As Nena had experienced working with companies where the quote is a lowball estimate, she was shocked to find out how much Awarua Synergy charged. “It was exactly the same as the quote. Not a penny more.”

Wish I’d done it earlier

As pleasant as Nena’s experience was with Awarua Synergy, she wasn’t about to take any chances when it came to the health of her daughter. After the insulation was installed, she hired an independent inspector to do a quality inspection. They found the work to be flawless.

And Nena noticed that firsthand shortly after. The same night the insulation was put in, she noticed the baby monitor wasn’t flashing. And it hasn’t since. A temperature check showed that the room stayed at 16 degrees. A temperature that is cool, but not risky for the baby.  Nena was ecstatic and very pleased with the results. “It made a huge difference. I wish I’d done it earlier.” She said, adding that winter would have been much easier to endure if she had installation put in sooner.

When asked if she would use Awarua Synergy again, she said “Absolutely. They did a great job.”

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The July 2019 changes may affect you!

There isn’t much time left to get your rental house in compliance with the new insulation laws that take effect in July 2019. Remember, insulation is mandatory if you’re planning to rent your property after that date. If your current insulation doesn’t meet the new standard or you refuse to have the property insulated, you’ll be hit with a heavy fine that could be as high as $4000.

Insulation doesn’t need to be installed in every wall of the house. At a minimum, the property must have both ceiling insulation and underfloor insulation.

It’s impossible to insulate my home. How do I avoid the fine?

Fortunately, if your home is built in such a way that it’s impossible to add insulation in the underfloor and ceiling cavity—such as apartment buildings with living quarters both above and below the unit—you don’t have to have insulation in those areas. It must be reasonably practicable to have insulation installed, but you can’t simply claim that installing insulation is too difficult on your own. Several conditions must be met, including:

• It must be inspected by an experienced company who are professionals in installing insulation.
• The company must determine that they are unable to install insulation without doing substantial renovations or causing damage to the property.
• Or the company decides that installing insulation in the property will create a health and safety risk for the inhabitants.

How do I know if my insulation is good enough?

Simply having insulation isn’t enough. It must also meet certain minimum values as defined on the Insulation Regulations page. The entire South Island is considered a Zone 3 area and requires insulation with a minimum R-value of R 3.3 for the ceiling and R 1.3 for the underfloor.

Of course, someone unexperienced with insulation wouldn’t be able to determine the R-value of insulation by simply looking. There are a few things to look for that can help however, including:

• If you have access to the ceiling and underfloor, check to see if there is any insulation. If not, call us right away for a quote.
• If you’re able to see the insulation, check to see if there are any obvious holes or tears. These will need to be repaired as soon as possible.
• You could also check the council building file and see if insulation is noted in the file.

Book your insulation appointment right away!

As July 2019 is quickly approaching, slots are filling up fast. You don’t want to be forced to pay the fine because you waited too long to make an appointment! If you had your insulation done through us and lost your certificate or you’re unsure of your insulation status and need a professional insulation team to take a look, call us today or fill out our insulation compliance form now.

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The EECA is investing in Kiwi Homes

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has welcomed the Government $142 million investment to make Kiwi homes healthier.

This spending in a new four-year programme, known as Warmer Kiwi Homes, will make the homes of lower-income New Zealanders warmer and drier by providing grants to insulate and heat homes, says EECA Chief Executive Andrew Caseley.

“Too many homes are cold and damp, leading to preventable diseases such as rheumatic fever and asthma. That’s a burden on Kiwi families, as well as the health system.”

Mr Caseley says some parts of the community are particularly at risk.

“Low-income families, young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the impacts of living in cold, damp housing.”

The first year of the programme will focus on ceiling and underfloor insulation as the highest priority for creating a warm, dry home, Mr Caseley says.

“Homes that aren’t properly insulated are very costly to heat, with heat escaping through the ceiling and underfloor.”

“Lower-income homeowners will be able to access grants covering two-thirds of the cost of installing ceiling and underfloor insulation.”

Grants to install heating appliances will be available from July 2019, Mr Caseley says.

Warmer Kiwi Homes will be delivered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) which is working through details of the new grants programme.

For more information: Senior Communications Advisor Penny St John 027 687 3123 or penny.stjohn@eeca.govt.nz

Frequently asked questions

When will the new Warmer Kiwi Homes start?

Homeowners can apply for grants from 1 July 2018. Further details will be posted on EECA’s Energywise website – www.energywise.govt.nz

Who is eligible for grants?

Those on low incomes who own and live in their homes (not landlords) are eligible.

Low income will be defined as those who either:

• Have a Community Services Card, OR
• Live in a New Zealand Deprivation Index decile 9 or 10 area, OR
• Are families referred through the Ministry of Health’s Healthy Homes Initiative.

What do the grants cover?

The grants cover ceiling and underfloor insulation and ground moisture barriers.  From year two they will also cover the installation of a heating device.  Details on which heating devices will be funded are still being worked through.

How many homes will be insulated?

EECA estimates 52,000 houses will be insulated or have a heater installed over the four years of the programme (some will receive both). 

Why are heating measures being brought in later?

Heating measures will be added from 1 July 2019 to align with the heating standards being developed under the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act. Insulation is always the first priority for creating a warm, dry home.

Note to Editors

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is the Crown agency that encourages, supports, and promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable energy in New Zealand. EECA provides information to households through

ENERGYWISETM www.energywise.govt.nz and to businesses through EECA BUSINESSTM www.eecabusiness.govt.nz

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