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Preparing For Roof Insulation

September 1, 2014 @ 10:00 By Gavin Webber 7 Comments

To get the best coverage for our roof insulation, we had to make sure that we could get the insulation in to as many places as possible.

In our roof, this posed a bit of a problem.  When we first moved into our house in 2000, one of the first things we did was install R80 style downlights.  Effectively, we cut holes in our ceiling creating gaps in the air tight integrity of the home, allowing heat to escape in winter and enter in summer.

So before the installers arrive (due on 15th September) we installed downlight mitts over each of the light fittings.  We sourced them from this online store; http://efficiencymatrix.com.au/product/loft-mitt/.  This is the 120mm version.

Downlight mitts

They look a bit like the sorting hat in Harry Potter!  These mitts cover the downlight fitting so that the insulation can be placed around it tightly.  They also stop draughts emanating from the light fittings as well.

Just a word of caution if installing these in your roof over downlights.  You cannot fit them over halogen downlights because these types of lights are just too hot and may cause the mitt to smoulder.  You can only use them if you use compact fluorescent lights or LED.  We have a mixture of both, which emit very little heat.  There is a different type of downlight mitt for halogen downlights, which are much smaller and designed for this additional heat.

I will post further updates as they occur over the next two weeks.  Kim and I are very excited and hope it all goes to plan.

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Related

Filed Under: cooling, Heating Tagged With: Brass Monkey Challenge

← Who Would You Take Advice From? Cheese Podcast 031 – What Non Curd Nerds Think About Little Green Cheese →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Meryl says

    September 1, 2014 at 11:33

    Hey Gavinm they look like a great idea. Do you think you could include a link to where you got them from?

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      September 1, 2014 at 12:11

      Good point Meryl. I have updated the post.

      Reply
  2. Lynda D says

    September 1, 2014 at 12:27

    Well that was interesting. I would never have thought of that. Yes, they do look like wizard hats and i know you secretly put one on for fun.

    Reply
  3. Cameron says

    September 1, 2014 at 16:16

    Gavin, these things are great. We installed the same (not sure if supplier was the same) a little while back. When we had the house checked with thermal imaging the tester remarked that the ceiling was really impressive given the number of down lights (CFDs). Normally down lights result in great big cold circles given the hole and the way insulation gets pushed back, and when you have 10 in a room…

    I had no trouble installing them but the first few took a lot longer until I got in the rhythm of slicing the cone for the wires and setting all in place with silicon. And then the insulation can be spread right against them.

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      September 3, 2014 at 08:13

      That is a great result Cameron. Glad we made the decision to install them.

      Reply
  4. Mike says

    September 5, 2014 at 05:56

    Hello there Gavin. Love your cheerful site. I’d be concerned about having an airtight house…. Care to comment about the radon gas issue?

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      September 5, 2014 at 11:03

      Hi Mike. I probably didn’t use the right choice of words. The house will be far from airtight, but it will be draught-proof. There will be air-flow.

      Reply

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About Gavin Webber

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An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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