Use the right insulation levels for your area
Different types of businesses can have different insulation needs, depending on the kind of business they’re in. Different climate zones also require different levels of insulation.
For example, a business in Darwin will require different insulation, heating and cooling requirements to a business in Hobart.
In some areas, reducing heat loss is the insulation priority. In other areas, it’s reducing heat gain. In yet other areas, reducing heat loss and gain have an equal priority. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.
The following table from the Building Council of Australia gives an indication of the minimum levels of insulation required for the following locations and types of climate.
| Climate Type and Example Locations.[1] | Minimum Insulation Levels (Material or Total R-values) |
|
| Roof / Ceiling.[2] | Wall | |
| Cool Temperate and Alpine Reducing heat loss is the main priority |
||
| Melbourne, VIC | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Canberra, ACT | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Hobart, TAS | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Mt Gambier, SA | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Ballarat, VIC | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Thredbo, NSW | 6.3 | 3.8 |
| Katoomba, NSW | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Hot & Dry and High Humidity Reducing heat gain is the critical priority |
||
| Darwin, NT | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Cairns, QLD | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Broome, WA | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Marble Bar, WA | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Mt Isa, QLD | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Tennant Creek, NT | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Townsville, QLD | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Warm/Mild Temperate and Warm & Humid Reducing heat loss and heat gain are equally important |
||
| Brisbane, QLD | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Perth, WA | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Alice Springs, NT | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Bourke, NSW | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| Sydney, NSW | 4.1 – 4.6 | 2.8 |
| Adelaide, SA | 4.1 | 2.8 |
- 1. EnergyCut.info/yh-insulation-info
- 2. According to the Building Council of Australia, these minimum insulation levels will be higher if your roof has an upper surface ‘absorptance value’ of more than 0.4