Tasman Insulation is the proud sponsor of the Pink® Batts® Ultra® Energy Efficiency Award, one of the four lifestyle awards in the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition, in association with PlaceMakers.
Alison Roberts, brand manager of residential for Tasman Insulation, discusses why energy efficiency is such a key component of sustainable building.
Q. How do you define an energy-efficient building?
An energy-efficient building is one that provides comfortable living and working conditions while minimising energy usage. Of course, Pink® Batts® believes insulating homes is the most effective thing you can do to keep your home warm and to maximise efficient energy use.”
Q. What do you think are some of the main influences that assist or prohibit the development of energy-efficient building in New Zealand?
The EECA Energywise programme has done a great job of raising the general awareness of the importance of insulating homes. Even though it is focused on existing homes, it has had a spin-off effect in new homes.
It is interesting talking to groups of builders that come through the plant. They say new home buyers and builders are asking for more insulation, and that there is greater awareness and involvement than in the past.
But there is more to it than just insulation. It is important we put effort into educating planners, councils, developers, builders and designers to increase understanding of thermal performance, building orientation, the use of shading, thermal mass and so on.
These are all important factors in a making a building energy efficient too.”
Q. What has Tasman Insulation seen as its role in promoting sustainable and energy-efficient homes?
We are continually promoting the move to higher R-value insulation such as the Pink® Batts® Ultra® range. This was the first insulation range to receive Environmental Choice accreditation, an independent review which evaluates the impact of the manufacturing process and the performance of the product in use.
We develop products to meet higher thermal performance requirements, for example, R2.6 Pink® Batts® SnugFloor underfloor insulation, which is the highest R-value single layer underfloor product in the market.
Through sponsoring the House of the Year Energy Efficiency award we are also supporting recognition of the creative work of designers and builders who have taken the next step and considered how to deliver a “whole house” solution for energy efficiency.
Q. What are some of the industry goals for energy-efficient building? Where should we be in five years?
We will continue education around the use of higher R-values, along with an increased emphasis on the correct installation. This is increasingly becoming recognised as critical in the final performance of the building.
Various parts of the construction industry are working on a number of tools to help measure and understand the energy efficiency of a home.
These range from simple self assessments to more complex options.The adoption of these will increase understanding and demand for more efficient homes.
