Worried that the NCC insulation requirements would make building or upgrading your new home more expensive? While it seems daunting and pricey, building a home with insulation that’s up to code doesn’t have to be costly. With insulation construction materials like Select Insulation’s line of Ecowool products, you can get comfort and energy efficiency without breaking the bank.
Read on to discover how Perth homeowners are using Ecowool home insulation materials to build a home that meets an NCC 7-star rating.
NCC Insulation Requirements for WA Homes
With proper home insulation, you ensure that your new space is comfortable for your family, all while bringing down energy costs. That’s why the National Construction Code (NCC) has released new insulation requirements in 2022, with its implementation becoming mandatory in Western Australia on 1 May 2025. This includes two key changes:
1. NCC 7-star rating
Previously just requiring a minimum 6-star thermal performance rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), the NCC now mandates that new homes should reach at least a 7-star rating. This will be based on the home’s design and construction materials.
2. Whole-of-Home annual energy budget
In line with this, to reduce the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of new residential areas, the NCC also introduced the Whole-of-Home energy requirements. This covers the efficiency of fixed equipment, such as heating and cooling appliances, heated water systems, lighting, and pool and spa pumps. The use of on-site renewable energy-generating systems like solar panels is also considered.
These changes can mean a lot of adjustments for your construction plans, but it’s a big step in supporting a greener future with less greenhouse gas emissions.
Things to Consider for Efficient Insulation
There are a lot of factors that contribute to energy efficiency, like appliances, window placements, seals, and so on. But a huge part of getting an NCC 7-star rating is undoubtedly the insulation construction material that you’ll choose. Here are the factors you’ll have to take into consideration when picking out the best insulation construction material for your home.
Insulation Material
Adapting to the new NCC insulation requirements means investing time in finding the perfect insulation construction material types. There are a number of types that you can choose from, each with its own pros and cons, including:
- Fibreglass or glass wool: a common, affordable, and non-toxic insulation material, fibreglass, also called glass wool, is easy to install and works well in preventing heat and sound transfer. It can also be a sustainable option if the glasswool is sourced from recycled glass.
- Wool insulation: a natural insulation material made from sheep wool, this insulation type is a natural choice that’s effective in preventing heat transfer as well as sound. However, if not properly treated, it can be vulnerable to insect pests.
- Reflective insulation: usually made from aluminium, this shiny material, as its name suggests, reflects radiant heat.
- Foam boards: made from polyurethane or polystyrene, foam board insulations are great at resisting moisture, but can be more costly than other options.
Local climate
Your location plays a big role in what type of material you’ll be using for insulation. For Perth homes, it’s important to find one that is effective in retaining warmth during cold winters and reducing heat during dry summers. Lastly, those closer to coastal areas are recommended to invest in insulation that’s also resistant to humidity and moisture.
R-value
Each insulation material has its own R-value, which measures its resistance to heat flow. Simply put, the higher the R-value of a material is, the better it is in insulation.
For Western Australia’s varying climate zones, an R-value of 2.5 to 2.7 for walls, 6.0 to 7.0 for ceilings, and 2.0 to 3.0 is recommended.
As a rule of thumb, areas that have cooler winters would need higher R-values for underfloors and walls to retain heat inside the home. Those that deal with intense summers will require a higher R-value for walls and roofs to deter the sun’s heat.
Installation
Last but not least, an insulation material’s ease of installation is also another factor that you need to take into account when building a new home. Depending on the type of material, installation can be easy enough that a novice can DIY, or it can also take time, requiring technical knowledge and skill.
Why Ecowool is the Top Choice for WA Builders & DIYers
As you can see, planning for insulation in Western Australia’s diverse climate can be challenging. As such, more and more of our customers are turning to Select Insulation’s Ecowool products, which are designed to withstand this environment. Whether it’s for building a house from scratch or partial renovations, builders and DIYers are choosing Ecowool for the following benefits:
Energy Efficiency
Ecowool products are engineered to provide superior thermal performance, keeping your house both warm in winter and cooler in summer, which reduces your energy use and costs in the long run.
Sustainability
Select Insulation commits to sustainability by manufacturing its Ecowool line of products with nearly 80% recycled glass wool and locally sourced raw materials. Their Ecowool batts are also free from materials that deplete the ozone layer. This ensures that you’re not only helping save the environment by meeting the NCC insulation requirements and WOH energy budget, but also by being mindful of your insulation material manufacturing.
Cost-effectivity
Easy to install and competitively priced compared to similar insulation construction materials, Ecowool is the best choice for homeowners looking to reduce upfront and labour costs while still helping you achieve the NCC 7-star rating. And, because it’s helping reduce your reliance on cooling and heating systems, it also saves money in the long run.
Moisture & Mould Resistant
Select Insulation products like Ecowool CondenShield are designed to control condensation. Additionally, the Ecowool line has been proven and tested to inhibit the growth of mould, fungus, and bacteria, further protecting your homes during humid or rainy days.
Fire Resistant
Ecowool products are made from non-combustible materials and meet Australian fire safety standards. This makes them the perfect insulation choice for bushfire-prone areas in WA.
Acoustic Performance
All of Select Insulation’s Ecowool range absorbs sound and contributes to reduced sound transmission. This ensures you hear fewer unwanted sounds and have better privacy. For exceptional acoustic performance fit for your study or home theatres, they also offer specialised ECOWOOL acoustic partition batts.
Non-toxic & Hypoallergenic
Ecowool insulation batts incorporate SensiTouch Technology. Using a natural anti-formaldehyde ingredient as a binder for bio-soluble fibres, Ecowool is hypoallergenic and is low in volatile organic compounds. This makes it safe to handle during installation if you’re DIY-ing and ensures the safety and health of your family.
Build a cosy, eco-friendly home with the top insulation suppliers in Perth, WA
Ready to make your new home a reality? Ensure your construction meets the NCC insulation requirements with Select Insulation’s range of Ecowool products. We at Westgyp can help you build your home with quality products. We stock Ecowool products on hand, ready for delivery. Whether you’re looking to insulate your roof, ceiling, or walls, we’re here to help you out. Visit our showroom or contact us to request a quote today!