Quick ways to upgrade home insulation before winter

When you’re managing a project or coordinating trades, home insulation upgrades can easily slip down the priority list. That is, until panic sets in when the cooler weather arrives and indoor temperatures start to drop. Thankfully, it’s not too late to do something about it.

The lead-up to winter is an ideal time to tackle quick, high-impact fixes that improve thermal performance, meet modern building compliance requirements, keep clients comfortable and, perhaps most importantly, prevent bigger problems down the track.

Here, we look at how you can implement some quick home insulation upgrades ahead of winter.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

What are some quick insulation upgrades to do before winter?

Try some of these ideas to help insulate your client’s home:

• Add or replace ceiling insulation for the biggest impact on thermal performance.
• Focus on underfloor insulation in buildings with sub-floors or raised floors prone to chilly winter draughts.
• Get an electrical inspection to double check compliance.
• Install insulation as soon as possible to minimise delays to other trades on the job.
• Boost client satisfaction by talking up the cost, comfort and environmental benefits of insulation.

Start with ceiling insulation

Ceilings and roof spaces can account for around 25 to 35 per cent of winter heat loss in a home – more than any other part of a building. Guy Manthel, Knauf Insulation’s technical product manager, says the first place tradies should start is installing ceiling insulation where adding or upgrading insulation makes the biggest immediate impact on thermal performance. “Doing it before winter when people use lots of energy is a good time,” he says. “And if it’s a retrofit in an existing house, the other benefit is the ceiling is easy to access.”

Look at underfloor insulation

For houses and other buildings with sub-floors or raised floors, underfloor insulation can also make an immediate impact. “In these sorts of structures, floors can be a major source of winter discomfort and noticeable draughts,” Devin Hall, managing director of insulation installer Energy Efficiency Group, explains. “When you put a thermal barrier between the house and the ground, the insulation traps hot air that’s being generated inside the house from escaping.” He says products like Knauf Earthwool Underfloor Batts, which his company installs, can be easily retrofitted. 

Check safety and compliance

The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 changes have raised insulation requirements for all new homes and relevant building work, which Guy says is a useful benchmark for the thermal requirements when planning retrofit upgrades. He also recommends an electrical inspection to check old wiring, exposed wiring, down lights or anything else that looks dodgy. “The key thing in completing a safe retrofitting installation is to look at the electrical requirements,” he explains.

Add insulation quickly

Last-minute variations, like adding insulation, run the risk of slowing work onsite and delaying other trades with tight pre-winter deadlines. Devin recommends getting insulation installed as soon as you’ve decided to go ahead to minimise hold-ups down the line. “Insulation installers ideally come in before the plasterboard goes on, but if you’ve missed that point, you want to look at getting the insulation installed as soon as possible because there’s always going to be further trades, like painters,” he explains. 

Sell the benefits of insulation upgrades to your clients

By explaining how upgraded insulation keeps homes warmer in winter, and cooler come summer, Devin says tradies can help clients see the long-term savings and performance benefits – and position themselves as trusted advisors. Some of the benefits to talk up are:

• Cost savings: Insulation is often the quickest and most cost-effective way to improve thermal comfort and reduce energy bills. “Energy efficiency in a building should actually start with insulation,” he explains, adding that insulation is often one of the most cost-effective first steps in improving a home’s thermal performance before considering larger energy upgrades, like solar power.

• Improved air quality indoors: Products like Earthwool from Knauf use a plant-based binder in manufacture – called ECOSE® technology – where no formaldehyde or chemicals are added. “It’s Red List Free, which means it contains no harmful substances,” Guy says. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers

Where does heat loss typically occur?

Most heat is lost through ceilings, which are responsible for around 30 per cent of a building’s heat loss. Underfloor areas in raised or sub-floor structures can also lead to significant heat loss and tend to be where cold draughts are felt first. 

Which insulation upgrades deliver the best return before winter?

Adding or upgrading ceiling insulation delivers the biggest immediate impact. Underfloor insulation is also highly effective, particularly in buildings with draught-prone floors.

What compliance considerations need to be checked now?

Before retrofitting insulation, tradies should have a qualified electrician assess existing wiring, downlights and other ceiling penetrations to ensure the installation can be completed safely and compliantly. The NCC 2022 changes have raised insulation requirements and are a helpful benchmark. 

How can tradies upgrade insulation without slowing the job?

Install insulation as soon as possible, ideally before plasterboard, to avoid delays for other trades.

How does better insulation improve client satisfaction?

It keeps homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer, reduces energy bills, is cheaper to install than solar, and can improve indoor air quality, giving clients comfort and long-term value.

After more ideas to keep energy bills down for your clients?

Check out our article on improving insulation with better windows and doors.