Saving energy around your home. - PlaceMakers

InsulationSeveral types of insulation are available to homeowners. The Pink ® Batts ® insulation Guide, availableat all PlaceMakers stores, includes a comparisonon insulation types. Slab pieces (most commonlyknown as Pink ® Batts ® ) are easily installed by thedo-it-yourselfer. Installation instructions are printed onthe Pink ® Batts ® bales.What is R-Value?R-value is the measure of a product’s resistance toheat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater theinsulation properties achieved. In the world ofinsulation, a higher R-value generally means greaterthickness of insulating material.The growing need for energy conservation, particularlyin winter, has highlighted the need to insulate newhomes beyond the minimum requirements. The expenseand uncertainty of power supply in colder months isalso leading many New Zealanders to upgrade thestandard of insulation in existing homes.Recent changes to the energy efficiency provisions inthe Building Code (December2000), along with risingenergy costs and greater emphasis on conservation,has created an increased awareness of the benefitsof higher R-value insulation.FloorsApplying insulation to the underside of our floorboardsis an easy, effective way to provide a better barrierbetween the inside of your home and the cold subfloor.During the cooler months, around 10% of the heat yougenerate inside your home is lost through the floor. Ifyou have an older home with polished timber floorsand no carpet, your floor is likely to be letting indraughts of cold air from the basement.Pink ® Batts ® CosyFloor TM and Ultra CosyFloor TM arespecialised insulation materials designed to insulatethe underside of exposed joist domestic timber floors.They are especially effective with polished timber floors.Both products are made from insulation blanket bondedto a perforated, fire retardant foil.4