Insulation (home ceiling insulation)

Home ceiling insulation in the form of loose fill, batts or foil sheets is laid on top of the ceiling, to reduce the flow of heat into or out of a room through the ceiling.  If not installed correctly, ceiling insulation can cause house fires, and create electrocution hazards.

There are many different types of insulation, including both loose and fitted varieties. Insulation can also be made from a variety of products, including cellulose, fibreglass, metal foil sheeting and combinations of these.

Government roof insulation program

The Australian Government recently funded the insulation of many Australian homes under its Home Insulation Program. This program, which has since been cancelled, provided funding to assist homeowners to insulate their houses.

A variety of different types of insulation were installed under this program, including foil insulation.

Foil insulation safety inspections

Following a number of deaths and electrical fires, foil insulation was suspended from use in the Australian Government’s Home Insulation Program on 9 February 2010.

The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) announced that all homes that have had foil insulation installed since the program commenced on 3 February 2009 are eligible to have an electrical safety inspection as a precautionary safety measure.

The Government  has written to all households where foil insulation was installed to provide a reference number and explain how to set up a safety inspection. Householders are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this electrical safety check as soon as possible.

If you have had foil insulation installed under the program and wish to find out more you can:

• contact the DEWHA Call Centre on 13 17 92
• visit Energy Efficient Home Packages  section of the DEWHA website
• visit DEWHA website.

DEWHA can give you guidance on choosing a contractor to carry out your electrical safety check and steps you can take to make your home safe.