Ian McChesney, Ian Cox-Smith, Lynda Amitrano.
This paper considers thermal insulation for New Zealand homes, covering technical and policy aspects of new build and retrofit insulation. The policy focus is mainly on the incentives and other means to encourage retrofit insulation into existing houses, and includes a review of policies in the UK to encourage high levels of insulation and heating retrofits.
The research identifies that the last few years have seen a more purposeful focus on improving and incentivising insulation in New Zealand following a period in the mid-1990s to early 2000s where there was only a modest level of activity. New initiatives launched in 2007 will further provide for improved insulation. The paper includes suggestions for additional ways in which improved insulation practice might be achieved.