Important informationUnless your home was already insulated prior to being damaged in the

earthquakes, you are not entitled to insulation installation as part of your

EQC cover. As the homeowner, this means you will need to:

• Paycontractorsdirectlyforboththeinsulationmaterials

and installation

•Takeresponsibilityforanybuildingconsentsrequired

• Takeresponsibilityforhealthandsafetyrequirements

during installation

•Ensuretheworkiscompletedtoanacceptablestandard.

You will only have the opportunity to install insulation where wall

cavities and inaccessible roof and underfloor areas are exposed

as part of earthquake repair work. Contractors cannot remove

undamaged wall linings, floorboards or ceilings solely to allow

insulation to be installed.

Neither EQC nor Fletcher EQR is responsible for any aspect of

the insulation installation work.

Earthquake damage repairs to your home through the Canterbury Home Repair Programme can expose hard-to-access areas like wall cavities, skillion or flat roofs, and suspended floors, creating the opportunity to

install insulation.

Although you will need to pay for the installation

of insulation that wasn’t there before the

earthquake, the repair process is a great

opportunity to get insulation into these places

that are normally tricky to access.

While this is a good time to have insulation

installed, you’ll need to follow the steps outlined

in this brochure to make sure it doesn’t interrupt

your repair work.

Why insulateGood quality, well-installed insulation can make

your home easier and cheaper to heat properly as

it helps hold heat in during winter, while keeping it

out in summer. Your home can be healthier and more

comfortable year round.

Approximately 50% of your home’s heat can escape

through the ceiling and floor if they are uninsulated.

Walls that are uninsulated account for another 20%,

which means you could be losing up to 70% of the

heat in your home because of a lack of insulation.

Wall insulation is normally difficult to check and install

in existing houses as you need to take off the lining

or cladding of the walls to do it properly. If your wall

lining or cladding is being removed or replaced as

part of earthquake repairs at your place, this is a great

opportunity to get this normally difficult space insulated.

Similarly, if your house has a ceiling space or suspended

floors that are normally inaccessible, repair work that

requires removing the roofing, ceiling lining or flooring

offers a unique opportunity to put insulation in.

How to go about getting your home insulated during EQC repairsInstalling insulation if it wasn’t there before is an

improvement to your home, so won’t be covered as

part of your insurance claim. Therefore it will be your

responsibility to pay for installing it and managing the

process through a trained insulation installer.

If you are interested in having insulation installed,

ask Fletcher EQR during the scoping of your repairs

about where and when there might be opportunities

to insulate during the repair work.

EQC policy does not permit homeowners to install their

own insulation during EQC repairs, and you must have

the work done by a trained installer. This is because

insulation installation by non-trained installers could

lead to injuries, damage to the property, or additional

costs due to unnecessary additional time in project

managing the house’s repair work.

Visit the Insulation Association of New Zealand website

www.iaonz.co.nz for a list of fully trained installers.

All installers working during repairs will need to meet

the Health and Safety requirements of the Fletcher EQR

repair programme.

To ensure the installation quality, and health and safety

and other risks are managed properly, it’s strongly

recommended you use a formal contract when

engaging an installer. This is something you can raise

with any installers you contact.

Neither EQC nor Fletcher EQR is responsible for any

aspect of the insulation installation work. If something

goes wrong with insulation installation, it will be up to

you as homeowner to resolve issues with the installer.

InsulatIng your home durIng earthquake repaIrs

If your wall lining or cladding is being removed or replaced as part of earthquake repairs at your place, this is a great opportunity to get this normally difficult space insulated.

Working with your repair contractorThe insulation work will need to fit around your building

repairs. Any insulation work must be discussed and

co-ordinated with the contractor who is undertaking

your earthquake repairs. They will work with you

and your chosen insulation installer to help with this

coordination, but repairs take priority. Your installer will

be responsible for liaising directly with the contractor,

and will keep you updated on timings.

An electrician will need to confirm that all wiring is in

good condition and suitable for being surrounded by

insulation, along with any recessed lighting if ceiling

insulation is being installed. You will need to organise

and pay for an electrician to check this yourself. The

timing of the electrician’s onsite activities will also need

to be co-ordinated with the repair contractor. Your

installer may organise this for you.

Getting a building consentInstalling ceiling and underfloor insulation does not

require a building consent; however, retrofitting wall

insulation normally does. Your local council may grant

an exemption for this requirement for retrofitting wall

insulation under certain conditions.

Contact your local council to find out about the building

consent requirements for installing insulation in your

walls. Ask your insulation installer for help with this.

Christchurch City Council: Ph (03) 941 8999

www.ccc.govt.nz/homeliving/buildingplanning/index.aspx

Selwyn District Council: Ph (03) 347 2800

www.selwyn.govt.nz/services/building

Waimakariri District Council: Ph (03) 311 8900

www.waimakariri.govt.nz/services/building_services.aspx

What to do if you are interested in insulating during your EQC repairsIf your repair work is about to begin, is being scoped by Fletcher EQR, or is already underway:

1. Contact an installer to see when they would be available and what your insulation options and costs might be.

2. Contact an electrician to see when they would be available to check your wiring and what the costs might be.

3. Talk to your repair contractor about the most suitable timing during your repair for installation.

If you have any questions, call the EQC Call Centre on 0800 326 243.

To find out more general information about insulation and other ways to improve the energy performance of your home visit the ENERGYWISETM website, www.energywise.govt.nz

MARCH 2013