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The Importance of Airtight Homes: Insights from Recent CSIRO Research
TLDR: A well-sealed (being a well draught-proofed) house could halve the money spent on energy bills. This is certainly ecoMaster’s experience of retrofitting their own home 20+ years ago.
New research from the CSIRO has shed light on the importance of airtightness in homes, revealing that newly constructed homes and apartments in Australia are up to 50% more airtight than those tested in 2015. While this improvement is promising, older homes continue to lag behind, leading to significant energy loss, increased heating and cooling costs, and discomfort for residents.
Key Findings from the CSIRO Study
The CSIRO study, which assessed 233 recently built apartments and detached houses across major Australian cities, found that while new homes are generally more airtight, there is still room for improvement. Leakages were commonly found in new homes, particularly around bathroom fans, sliding doors, and poorly sealed doors. The study also highlighted the importance of controlled ventilation in airtight homes to avoid issues related to indoor air quality.
Michael Ambrose, the lead researcher on the project, emphasised that a well-sealed house could halve the money spent on energy bills. “Heating and cooling costs are about 40% of your total energy bill, and fixing leaks can reduce that by 20%,” he said. This underscores the significant impact that airtightness can have on both thermal efficiency and household expenses.
The Challenges with Older Homes
For those living in older homes, the situation is more challenging. Australia has some of the least airtight homes globally, and this lack of airtightness can result in cold drafts, inefficient heating, and high energy bills. Early mornings in winter can be particularly uncomfortable in older houses, with heating systems struggling to maintain a comfortable temperature.
While the CSIRO study’s findings are promising for new homebuyers, the reality is that many Australians live in older homes that do not meet modern airtightness standards. The good news is that there are simple and affordable solutions available to improve the airtightness of these homes.
Proven Solutions with ecoMaster
For over 20 years, ecoMaster has been at the forefront of providing effective and long-lasting draught-proofing solutions. Their award-winning products, manufactured in Victoria, have been fitted to over 20,000 homes across the state, earning them a strong reputation in the energy efficiency space.
ecoMaster offers a range of products specifically designed to address common draught issues found in both new and older homes. From door and windows seals to exhaust fan covers, Chimney Draught Stoppers and Gap Filler kits, ecoMaster has solutions that can make a significant difference in the thermal efficiency and comfort of any home.
Moving Forward: Improving Airtightness for All Homes
The CSIRO study has provided several recommendations for improving the airtightness of Australian homes, including establishing airtightness standards in the National Construction Code and making air barriers mandatory in all new residences. For existing homes, however, the focus should be on retrofitting solutions that address common draught issues.
For homeowners looking to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes, ecoMaster offers a comprehensive range of draught-proofing products that are both effective and long-lasting. Whether through DIY fixes or professional installation, sealing the gaps in your home can lead to significant energy savings and a more comfortable living environment.
To learn more about how you can improve the airtightness of your home, visit ecoMaster’s Draught Proofing Information Hub and explore their DIY Draught Proofing Collection.
And if that all seems too hard and you would like a bit of hand-holding to help navigate the complexity of quality draught proofing, you should take a look at Find and Fix My Draughts. This online guide equips homeowners with practical skills to identify and seal draughts, enhancing home comfort and reducing energy usage. It’s a straightforward guide to making your living space more energy-efficient and comfortable throughout the year. Remember that a well sealed home could have up to half of your energy bill – it’s a no brainer investment.
What’s Next?
We hope this article has helped you learn how to use simple ways to save on your utility bill. This in turn will help you on your energy and thermal efficiency retrofit journey to make your home more comfortable all year round, and reduce your costs and carbon emissions.
Next, explore Why You Should Not Use Weather Stripping.
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