3
February 2009
J FOR JOBS - Insulation
Compulsory
For House
Sale
The Federal and State Governments
should consider a national program of insulation by
making it compulsory for every home being sold to be
insulated, Archicentre the building advisory service of
the Australian Institute of Architects said today.
Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre
said the Federal Government's move to
provide $500 subsidies to home owners and $1000 for
rental properties for insulation to create jobs and cut
greenhouse gases is a good program which could be backed
up with some legislation on condition of
sale.
Archicentre's pre-purchase
inspection statistics show that 40% of inner
suburban homes in Australia's capital cities have no
ceiling insulation.
"We
understand this would be a bold move for the Federal and
State Governments but we are living in exceptional times
where exceptional and brave decisions need to be
considered.
"It costs $2000
to insulate an average home and whilst the $500 subsidy
is a good initiative linking it to sale of every home in
the future would ensure its take up quickly providing
not only a benefit to the home owner, but also the
community through less stress on the power grid and the
cutting of greenhouse gases.
"For the
vendor they would end up with a more valuable property
to sell in an increasing environmentally aware market
place.
"With people moving home on
average every seven years it would not take long in
relative terms to insulate Australia."
Mr. Caulfield said the approach could
also be used to lift the environmental quality of
Australian housing stock to include energy and water
saving devices, a major part of the Federal Government's
Climate Change policy.
With interest rates
expected to be cut today to an all time low, trades
people looking for new work in a highly competitive
market, and the Australian dollar down, there
has never been a better time to renovate and use
Australian products including insulation, Mr
Caulfield added.
Archicentre has launched a
J for Jobs
campaign in the building renovation area with
100 free Seminars across Australia including
ཆ
Things You Need to Know about Building in a Changing
Climate' which covers the importance of
insulation
.
Archicentre
free seminars www.archicentre.com.au
Media Enquiries:
Robert
Caulfield, Managing Director Archicentre (03) 9819 4577
Mobile: 0412 381 306
Ron Smith Corporate
Media Communications Archicentre (03) 9818
5700
Mobile: 0417 329
201