As a result of the energy crisis and growing environmental concerns, it has been a requirement by SANS legislation to install ceiling insulation as of 2013. In an effort to reduce demand for additional heating and cooling measures, the SANS 10400-XA building laws were published, stipulating minimum R-values for roofing insulation according to the various climate zones.
“Homeowners who want to reduce reliance on heating and cooling measures ought to scroll down to the map of climate zones found on page 12 of this document to enable them to check that the installed insulation has the correct insulation value to handle the heating and cooling requirements of their particular climate zone,” advises Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
According to a renewable energy company, homeowners will need insulation that is at least 135mm thick in Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Western Cape. This lowers to 100mm in a humid climate such as KwaZulu-Natal. Although the ceiling insulation price will increase depending on the thickness of the product, it is advisable to purchase thicker insulation to ensure maximum insulation.
“When choosing insulation, homeowners should also consider that certain products, Cellulose insulation, for example, compress a few months after insulation, which lowers the R-value and reduces its effectiveness. Homeowners should, therefore, make a point to ask the insulation company whether their chosen insulation will settle over time and if the selected thickness will then compensate for this compression over time,” Goslett recommends.
Certain insulation could also add more value to a home than others. For example, Isotherm has become very popular in South Africa because it is made of recycled plastic bottles and is entirely non-allergenic. “Because ceiling insulation has become a standard feature, homeowners who install popular, high-quality insulation products can later refer to it as an additional desirable feature when marketing their home. Sometimes it is these additional features that help sellers close a deal,” Goslett concludes.
