The Australian Government Insulation Rebate
Definitions & Facts
The Australian Government has recently put their Energy Efficient Homes Package, worth 2.7 billion for the Home Insulation Program, into effect, which will help over 2.9 million Aussie homeowners install roof insulation at no cost, up to the value of $1,600. When you are applying for the Government Insulation Rebate there will be a lot of terms thrown around that may be confusing. This article includes all the definitions and facts you will need to ensure you know exactly what you are talking about when you are sourcing quotes and enquiring about receiving the Government Insulation Rebate.
Beneficial Owner – You will be referred to as a beneficial owner if you both own and occupy the residence you want the insulation to be installed in. You may also be referred to as the Owner-Occupier or the Householder. You must be the beneficial owner when applying for the Government Insulation Rebate.
Installer – The individual or company who installs the roof insulation.
Installer Provider Register – A list of properly certified roof insulation installers who can legally offer the Government Insulation Rebate. Find out more information by visiting www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or by calling 1800 808 571.
Living Area – Roof insulation is generally installed above living areas, i.e. the areas of the house where you sleep, relax, wash, eat and work. Installers will generally want to know a lot about your living areas, including the time spent in each area and if the area is home to any heating or cooling devices.
Negligible Effectiveness – If you have previous roof insulation already installed it may be deemed to have negligible effectiveness if it has an R-Value at or below 0.5. If this is the case, this means you are still eligible to receive the Government Insulation Rebate. R-Value is explained further down.
Physical Site Inspection – When you accept an Installer’s quote they will need to conduct a physical site inspection before the roof insulation is installed. This simply means they want to come out and conduct a full measurement and analysis of both the space to be insulated and the living areas. During this inspection they will also check for negligible effectiveness.
Program Completion – The Government Insulation Rebate will no longer be available after 31 December 2011. Please also note that if the entire $2.7 billion has been allocated then the program will end early.
R-Value – This relates to the thermal efficiency of the insulation. If the R-Value is high this means the roof insulation is much more resistant to the heat that flows in and out of the house. When you are confirming your quote for roof insulation always be sure to verify what the R-Value is going to be.
Work Order Form – To apply for the Government Roof Insulation Rebate you will need to complete a work order form. This is a hardcopy form that must be completed by both the beneficial owner and the Installer once the roof insulation has been installed. Please note that you should be entirely satisfied with the installation before you sign off on the work order form.
Enquire about Insulation Rebate Now