Use of Foil Insulation in Homes - source: HIA

Date: 17 February 2010

 _* Use of Foil Insulation in Homes *_
Over the last few days the Federal Government has announced major changes in
relation to the use of foil insulation within the Federally Funded Home Rebate
Scheme. The changes are the result of a preliminary audit carried out to ensure
ceiling insulation was being correctly installed. The audit included 10% of
approximately 40,000 homes where foil insulation has been installed and found
that approximately 2% had incorrect installation. A potential risk to persons
entering roof spaces has been created due to the use of metallic fasteners
coming into contact with electrical wiring. On that basis Government banned the
use of foil products under the rebate scheme.

This ruling by Government does NOT prevent the use of foil insulation in new
buildings where the insulation is installed over and above rafters as part of
the energy efficiency requirements or as a moisture barrier or thermal break
within the external walls. The above ban was the result of foil insulation being
laid across the top of ceiling joists. Foil may also continue to be used as roof
sarking particuarly when used to prevent the entry of hot sparks and embers into
the roof space as part of the bushfire protection within new buildings.