Happy Homeowner WINS Free NOVAtherm Ceiling and NOVAfloor Underfloor Polyester Insulation

InsulPro, a New Zealand polyester insulation manufacturer and Awarau Synergy, insulation installers, are transforming the homes of Southland with NOVAtherm Ceiling and NOVAfloor Underfloor Insulation.

Southland insulation firm Awarua Synergy recently secured a new contract with the Southland Warm Homes Trust (SWHT), delivering subsidised energy efficient solutions as part of the government’s insulation programme Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart.  In celebration of the new endeavour, Awarua Synergy, SWHT and InsulPro ran a competition to win free NOVAtherm Ceiling Insulation and NOVAfloor Underfloor Insulation.  The lucky winner, Tania Blair, was announced on Monday’s Boggy Breakfast show.  “I can’t believe I have won such a great prize that I know will make a difference and thank you very much Awarua Synergy team and InsulPro”

Awarua Synergy is dedicated to delivering insulation services for Southlanders by Southlanders with a dedicated team of qualified locals. This service includes free insulation & heating assessments for householders, and subsidies for all Southland homeowners (including landlords) ranging from 33% to 85%, thanks to the SWHT who provide funding. The funding is available for all homes built before the year 2000.

“It makes a huge difference to a home. Quality of life is greatly improved for older people suffering arthritis or young people with asthma. But ultimately it’s the overall mental well-being of living in a warm house”’ said Sumaria Beaton from Awarau Synergy.  “We have had lots of feedback from people who are really thankful and can’t believe the improvement.”

“InsulPro is working with Awarua and SWHT to help Southlanders gain a greater understanding of the health benefits of insulation”, said Paul Vujcich from InsulPro  “With InsulPro’s polyester insulation you are not just creating warmer home environment, you are reducing landfill waste, creating a more energy efficient home and reducing carbon emissions”

Research by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the government agency that administer Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart, shows that people who have insulated through the programme are noticing big changes. 84% of those that have insulated have noticed an improvement in the warmth of their home, and overall satisfaction is 94%.

SWHT chairman Neil Boniface encourages all Southlander’s whether you rent or own your own home, to book a free assessment for their home by contacting the SWHT on 0800 92 76 76 or visiting our website www.awaruasynergy.co.nz.

Creating warmer homes with polyester insulation on the NZ’s Kapiti Coast

InsulPro manufacture polyester insulation for New Zealand homes and commercial buildings.   Working together with Sustainability Trust in Wellington, who are professional installers of insulation, they are helping the local Kapiti Coast district gain a greater understanding of the health benefits of insulation.

“Most kiwi homes were built in the era when people did not understand the health benefits of insulating their home.  About half of all kiwi dwellings still remain unnecessarily cold and damp in winter”, said Paul Vujcich from InsulPro. “We are working with local communities to help create a better living environment in their home”

Sustainability Trust is a non-profit organisation providing real solutions for Wellington Region’s homes, communities and environment.  They are currently able to offer insulation subsidies of up to 80% for community services card holders and 40% subsidy for families on middle and upper incomes. The promotion is only available to the end of February.  For more information please click here  or contact the Sustainability Trust on 0508 78 78 24 today.

InsulPro offers a range of ceiling insulation, wall insulation and underfloor insulation.  For further information please click here

InsulPro’s Polyester Insulation provides:

• A more energy efficient home
• A healthier, drier home – making it warmer in winter and cooler in summer
• A more sustainable option when insulating as it is made using recycled plastic bottles

InsulPro’s NOVAtherm ceiling insulation and NOVAfloor underfloor insulation is:

• Safe and easy to handle
• Odourless and made using non-irritant fibres
• Retains thermal mass when properly installed
• Has excellent durability
• Meets EECA and NZ Building Code requirements
• Guaranteed for 50 years (subject to correct installation and adequate protection)

Contact Sustainability Trust on 0508 78 78 24 (0508 SUSTAIN) for further details.

Warmer home for first time expecting parents

In October InsulPro, a New Zealand polyester insulation manufacturer, attended the Parent & Child show in Auckland to help expectant parents, families and grandparents understand the importance of insulation creating a warmer, healthier home.

InsulPro is working with New Zealanders to help them gain a greater understanding of the health benefits of insulation.  With InsulPro’s polyester insulation you are not just creating better environments, you are reducing landfill waste, creating a more energy efficient home and reducing carbon emissions.

Fraser and Tanya White were one of the many families that visited the InsulPro stand at the show, and subsequently had NOVAtherm ceiling insulation and NOVAfloor underfloor insulation installed their home by our installation partner, Warmo.

The White Family

Fraser and Tanya White are a young couple, expecting their first child, and the show offered them a wealth of information and the ability to book a free in-home assessment.

Fraser and Tanya White - InsulPro & Warmo winners

 Their baby is due in January and they are renovating their home in preparation.  Insulation was high on the priority list as part of establishing a healthy, warm, and energy efficient home for their family.  Fraser was asked why he chose InsulPro and his response was “I was very interested in the product because it is made in New Zealand is environmentally friendly and made from recycled plastic bottles.”

Warmo delivered on their promise and were the only company to provide an assessment, quote and install on time and on budget.  Fraser commented how seamless it was, “The quote was prepared on site and it was very reasonable. The government subsidy also made it all more affordable which is very important for us at the moment…the installer (Warmo) was on time and also very friendly, quick and efficient.” 

The last words must go to Fraser and Tanya White…

“We noticed a difference in the house the same day it was insulated… the whole experience was fantastic.”

From plastic bottles to a warm insulated home for you and your family

Is your home healthy and safe for you and your family? About one-in-two New Zealand homes are not well insulated, but InsulPro, a proudly New Zealand-owned company with a quality insulation product, is helping to change that.

Most kiwi homes were built in the era when people did not understand the health benefits
of insulating their home. About half of all kiwi dwellings still remain unnecessarily cold and damp in winter.

In 2007 research by the Wellington School of Medicine showed that improved heating
and insulation cut hospital admissions for respiratory conditions by 38% and energy use by 19%.

Recently InsulPro supported a local Waikato family.  The Lockley family have encountered a number of challenging hurdles, with their four children suffering from a rare life threatening disease.  A warm, healthier home is vital to the wellbeing of the family. InsulPro donated the insulation and the Huntly Energy Efficiency Trust installed it in the
ceiling and under the floor of the Lockley’s home, while Panasonic provided a heat pump.

“We need to keep a consistent, warm temperature in our home for our children’s health.  In the past we have had really expensive power bills”, Mrs Lockley said, “Huntly Energy Efficiency Trust rang to tell us the great news about installing insulation and a heat pump in our home.  We’re just blown away by people’s generosity and kindness”.

The Lockley family had Insulpro’s NOVAtherm Ceiling insulation and NOVAfloor underfloor insulation products installed.  They are top-performing, longer-lasting and entirely recyclable polyester insulation solutions for new and existing homes.

“We are amazed at the warmth of the house.   The insulation traps the warmth from the winter sun in our living area, so we have a lovely warm home in the afternoon, without the need for a heater.  It is just great”, Mrs Lockley said.

One of the best things about InsulPro’s polyester insulation is that it is made from recycled plastic bottles.  What better use for a waste material than turning it into insulation that helps warm your home, reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions?

The InsulPro manufacturing process requires no glues and, as polyester is not a protein, it doesn’t need to be treated with insecticides so it is safe for your family.

You don’t even need protective gear to install it – it won’t irritate or scratch your skin.   In fact, you could just wrap yourself up in NOVAtherm and safely go to sleep (it’s the same material that most duvets and pillows are made from).

InsulPro insulation solutions can save you money, create a warmer, healthier home for
you and your family, while also enabling you to make a positive contribution to the environment.   Call us today on 0800 100 001 to arrange a free, no obligation assessment of your requirements by an Installation professional.  You may also be eligible for the EECA subsidy!

ENERGYWISE™ and InsulPro raise funds for Christchurch

Brand new house insulation and energy efficient appliances are being sold on Trade Me
to raise funds for Christchurch’s earthquake recovery efforts.  The products have been donated by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA)ENERGYWISE partners, including InsulPro, and all proceeds will go directly to the Red Cross.

The products include 13 heat pumps and their installation, worth up to $5,500 each,
six fridges worth up to $1,499 each, a Sony Blu Ray DVD player, six low-flow shower heads from Methven, carpet for two garages, and 12 lots of ceiling and underfloor insulation for a 150m2 house, worth around $4,000 each – at a total retail value of around $130,000.

Mike Underhill, EECA’s Chief Executive is impressed with the value of products that have been donated. “These products are high-ticket items and the generosity of our partners
is fantastic. All the appliances are ENERGY STAR rated for efficiency and we know
insulation makes a real difference to the comfort of New Zealand homes.”

The Trade Me shop was an initiative of EECA staff who approached suppliers to donate products.  InsulPro generously donated NOVAfloor Underfloor Insulation and NOVAtherm Ceiling Insulation.

Murray Page, General Manager of insulation manufacturer InsulPro says the company had
been debating how best to contribute to the earthquake appeal when EECA approached them for a donation. “The Christchurch earthquake has touched and impacted us,” said Mr Page. “We decided that donating some product for auction would have a double benefit – it would not only raise some funds for the recovery effort, but it would also allow the successful bidder to improve the warmth and health of their home.”

Are you thinking about insulating your home and do you have some questions?

We had a chat to Paul Vujcich, Managing Director for InsulPro, who has been working
with insulation for the past 15 years.  Read what he has to say below.

If you would like any further information please give us a call on 0800 100 007

What are the most important factors to take into account when choosing insulation?

Insulation is a key factor in creating a better living environment in your home.  The important factors are focused on ensuring that the insulation solution results in a warmer and healthier home for you and your family.

Choosing a sustainable product will enable you to make a positive contribution to
protecting the environment.  At InsulPro we produce our insulation from recycled polyester, PET, this is the same material that plastic bottles are made from.  We buy fibres that are extruded from chipped up bottles and manufacture these into ceiling and floor insulation for your home.  Plus our products are fully recyclable so any offcuts left over from an installation can be re-used in our manufacturing process – so in a nutshell our products are 100% recyclable.

To ensure a healthy home environment we recommend that you choose a product that
is safe and comfortable to touch and feel, and free from such things as insecticides and glues.  At InsulPro our insulation solutions, NOVAtherm Ceiling and Wall Insulation and NOVAfloor Underfloor Insulation, are made from 100% polyester which is bonded together using heat not glue.

Imagine the soft touch of your polyester duvet inner; well our insulation product is made of the same material.  So you won’t be left with an irritating feel on your skin when you handle it, making it safe and easy to install.  Also polyester is a not a protein so we don’t have to treat it with insecticide to stop it being eaten.

Insulation is an investment in creating a healthy home for future years; therefore you should consider how quickly it will or will not deteriorate over its lifetime and how long it will last before you need to replace it. Insulpro products will perform for 50 years; so from the day it is installed correctly and adequately protected, we will guarantee that in 50 years time it will still be performing!

The Building Code in New Zealand requires that insulation meets certain criteria which cover durability, internal moisture, hazardous building materials and energy efficiency.  You need to ensure the insulation you choose meets building code requirements.  Products that have been BRANZ appraised provide you with assurance that the insulation product has been tested to meet New Zealand conditions which includes the Building Code.  Our NOVAtherm and NOVAfloor insulation products both have BRANZ appraisals.

Another vital consideration is the quality of installation for insulation as any gaps in the insulation will dramatically affect its performance. We would recommend that if you are installing NOVAtherm and NOVAfloor insulation products that you use one of the InsulPro approved installers to ensure you create a better environment in your home.

Underfloor insulation is exposed to moisture.  It is important that the insulation you choose does not absorb moisture as this will affect the life of the product and expose your home to potential moisture damage.

How can people determine what the best type of insulation is for their homes?

Insulation is commonly made from polyester fibres, wool, fibreglass macerated paper or polystyrene.  The best type of insulation should be safe, healthy, easy to install and durable.

If your house was built before 2000 you are eligible for up to $1,300 (or 33%) subsidy toward the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation under the Energywise Warm up New Zealand:Heat Smart programme.  It runs over 4 years from June 2009. If you have a Community Services Card you can get 60% funding towards the cost of insulation.

The Energywise programme includes a list of approved products so if you are taking part in this scheme make sure you select a product that is on the list. For further information visit the EECA Energywise website www.energywise.govt.nz

What are the main benefits of installing it?

Insulation creates a healthier, more comfortable home environment.

In winter a cold, damp building can promote mould and mildew, which can lead to asthma, recurring colds and flu.  Insulation keeps a home’s interior warm and dry in winter, creating a better environment in your home.

While keeping the cold out in winter, insulation keeps the heat out in summer for a more comfortable temperature indoors. This is an increasingly important consideration as more homes are installing heat pumps and air conditioning units.

Insulation has a vast return on investment which includes such things as providing a healthier home, reducing the strain on the country’s health system and assisting with the resale value of your home as buyers look for warmer homes.  It can also save significant money in energy in an environment where the cost of power continues to increase.

Effective insulation in the ceiling can cut heat loss from a building by over 40%.
Insulation in exterior walls can cut overall heat loss by roughly one quarter, and by using insulation in internal walls around living spaces the amount of energy required to heat them will be reduced too. Insulating under floor boards can dramatically improve heat retention even further, as well as cutting out uncomfortable draughts.

Superior insulation will absorb noise to create a quieter living environment, reducing
surrounding noise pollution from the likes of neighbours and traffic.

There are minimum requirements for insulation in the building code. Should homeowners give serious consideration to exceeding those? What are the benefits of doing so?

Yes, we would definitely recommend a homeowner exceeds the Building Code requirements as the home will be more energy efficient, warmer, healthier and will create a more rewarding and comfortable living environment.

And will savings on heating make this an efficient decision in the long term?

The price of electricity continues to increase. In fact a number of power companies are increasing their prices on the 1st of April, after only increasing them in October with the introduction of the Government’s Emissions Trading Scheme.  Exceeding the Building Code requirements will mean that your insulation will work harder for you, making you less reliant on using electricity to create a warmer home in winter and a cooler home in summer.

But it is not just about the dollar savings, it is about creating a healthier home for your family and removing the cold damp air in winter time which reduces the incidence to colds, asthma and flu.  While in summer time you will have a cooler home.

Award winning home that is warm, healthy and comfortable to live in

The award winning home is located on a narrow urban site in the heart of Herne Bay. Tight site controls and a sloping site resulted in a long narrow building form that steps down the slope of the site.

One of the main features of the house is the entry which is reached by a bridge that crosses a moat of planting. The entry is glazed with translucent glass to give privacy and a beautiful soft light to the interior spaces. The entry space is protected by a vertical cedar screen with intermittent horizontals painted with colours that have also been used on the interior and inspired by the homeowners’ fantastic collection of 1950 -60s furniture, art and ceramics.

Once inside an open riser jarrah and steel stair with a hanging screen of stainless steel mesh leads either upstairs to the main living level or downstairs to the bedrooms and a second family living area.

The rooms on the lower level open out to the usually redundant side yards surrounding the house with each room having its own terrace and outdoor space.  The building steps down the site and culminates in a terrace and pool off the family living space.

Light and privacy is modulated on the upper levels by opening and closing vertical lourveline panels or either cedar or aluminium. The living space opens out to a generous deck which with glimpses of the harbour.

Playful colours, finishes and hoop pine cabinetry enliven the interior spaces and the exterior materials of fine vertical cedar shiplap, double skin bagged brick reflect the clients’ love of fifties and sixties architecture.

The home is warm in winter and cool in summer due to Insulpro’s NOVAtherm Ceiling
and Wall Insulation and NOVAfloor High Density Underfloor Insulation.  The insulation installed was over and above what is required by the New Zealand Building Code, creating a warmer, healthier home for the family which is more energy efficient and sustainable.

The polyester insulation is made from recycled plastic bottles and any off-cuts during the installation process were put back into InsulPro’s manufacturing process, resulting in zero waste.  The insulation is 100% safe and healthy as it is non-irritant, non-toxic and the fibres are bonded by heat, removing the need for glue which contains formaldehyde.

For peace of mind for the homeowner, the insulation is covered by a 50 year guarantee.   Some of the insulation solutions in the market collapse over time. InsulPro guarantees that as long as the insulation is installed correctly and adequately protected, their insulation solutions will perform to the same level 50 years later.

The home has won two Registered Master Builders Awards which are the Registered Master Builders Award Auckland Region – Gold Award 2010 and the Registered Master Builders National House of the Year – Gold Reserve Award 2010