Home insulation a good woolly idea

Federated Farmers is embracing the $323 million home insulation package announced in Budget 2009.  It is not only good for NZers but by using poorer quality coarse wools, could also be good for the ailing wool industry. "I'm walking the talk having installed wool insulation in my house last year and it's a fantastic solution," says Bruce Wills, Fed Farmers Meat & Fibre chairman, and environmental award winning Hawke's Bay farmer. "We need to get wool into the insulation mix, having heard reports that Fletcher Building is increasing production of its glass fibre insulation.  Federated Farmers is currently checking with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority to ensure wool insulation is on the list of approved products. "Wool insulation meets the NZ Building Code and offers outstanding insulation properties proven in laboratory testing.  It easily matches the thermal efficiency of man-made products with a similar life expectancy too. "Unlike glass fibres however, wool doesn't represent a health hazard during installation so you don't need masks or gloves. That'll make DIYers and professional installers happy as well.  But being a natural product, wool insulation comes with the added bonus of having great sound insulation properties. "Wool insulation cannot burn and is treated to make it vermin proof.  It's an impressive product. "Federated Farmers believes there is much to recommend wool insulation, especially if people care about the environment.  It demands less energy during the manufacturing process and is largely sourced from a natural and renewable resource, sheep. "NZ's wool industry has been suffering of late but potentially, this insulation package could give it a shot in the arm by using poorer quality coarse wools.