House Energy Ratings and Insulation

Want to ensure your household meets the 6-star energy efficiency rating? ICR Concrete Supplies offers cladding insulation options to help you achieve your energy efficiency goals.

Homes account for about 10% of Australia’s total carbon emissions. Since May 2011, all new homes or renovations in Australia must comply with a minimum energy rating of six stars or its equivalent, as determined by the relevant state or territory.

Whether you're building a new home as an owner-builder or employing the services of a professional builder, or undertaking home renovations, alterations, and additions, it is necessary to adhere to the 6-star energy efficiency rating. 

By implementing good design practices during the planning phase, it becomes easy to meet the 6-star requirements, while also increasing the market value of your property.

Given that 38% of home energy use comes from heating and cooling, a 6-Star energy efficiency rating applies to your home’s building envelope which covers its roof, walls, floor and windows.

This is where your choice of insulation is crucial. As an example, a well-insulated roof can save you up to 45% of energy on heating and cooling, while wall insulation gives you up to 20% of energy savings.

Does Insulation Impact Your Energy Bills?

Good insulation can drastically reduce the cost of energy bills. All insulation materials are rated for their performance in thermal resistance. This rating is expressed as an R-value. The higher the R-value the greater the insulating effect.

Roof and ceiling insulation should have an R-value of 5.1 while a wall insulation should have an R-Value of 2.8.

Stocked by ICR Concrete Supplies, NRG Greenboard™ Insulated wall cladding, NRG Greenboard™ achieves 6-star energy ratings with cladding insulation options from 1.92 R to 3.96 R.

NRG Greenboard™ is a versatile external cladding system that is suitable for a variety of building types, including timber or steel-framed buildings as well as solid concrete and masonry walls. This lightweight and energy-efficient product provides a weather-resistant and seam-free rendered finish that looks amazing once coated.

Why Does ICR Concrete Supplies Recommend and Stock NRG Greenboard?

For ICR Concrete Supplies, Stock NRG Greenboard has the following advantages:

• Easy to use
• Energy efficient
• Provides sound insulation
• Environmentally friendly – recyclable, reusable products
• Termite retardant
• Fire retardant
• Great sound rating

Another advantage of using NRG Greenboard™ is that the panel size is 2480 x 1200, which makes it faster and easier for installers to cover external walls.  This allows builders to achieve the lock-up stage sooner, allowing other trades to start and complete their tasks promptly.

For a seamless finish, NRG Greenboard™ recommends using render products, and ICR Concrete Supplies in Albion Park Rail can provide additional advice on these products. We supply various rendering products from our distributors at MAC Render & Architectural Coatings from polymer additives, and fine & medium-grade renders to skim/patch coatings and medium-grade acrylic texture finishes.

Takeaway

To reduce the environmental impacts of energy consumption and promote sustainable living, Australian homes are now required to comply with a 6-star energy efficiency rating. At ICR Concrete Supplies, we offer insulation products like NRG Greenboard™ to ensure your household complies with this requirement.

Installing cladding insulation can significantly reduce your energy usage and improve energy efficiency, resulting in substantial cost savings for homeowners. Our team of experts can also provide advice on the most energy-efficient insulation systems for your home.

At ICR Concrete Supplies, we are committed to helping you achieve a more comfortable and energy-efficient home while reducing your carbon footprint and energy costs. If you have any questions about our products or need help finding a solution, please do not hesitate to contact us at 4257 1196.

ICR Concrete Supplies have a large selection of tools and materials for both Do-It-Yourself and Trades. Offering local delivery throughout the Illawarra, this includes Wollongong and Shellharbour LGA's and Municipality of Kiama.