FAQS
At Alexander Watson we have heard just about every question out there and so we have compiled our library of frequently asked questions.
However, if a question is not answered here, please just submit it below and one of our staff will get right back to you with an answer.
Ceiling
Removing insulation from a ceiling might be necessary for many reasons, such as renovations, pest issues, installing new insulation, electrical safety and health. For more information see our insulation removal page here.
Cross-hatching two layers of insulation results in a substantial improvement in insulation efficiency. For more information about cross-hatching, download our Retrofit Guide here.
It all depends on the type of roof and the ceiling cavity. Usually batts are the best option, however in some cases a loose insulation or other specialised product might be a more effective solution.
The best type of insulation for your ceiling will depend on factors such as your climate, budget, and specific requirements for your space. Additionally, local building codes and regulations may influence your choice of insulation.
General
Our team will be able to give you an approximate insulation installation booking length according to the size of your home. Generally, we’re able to complete insulation upgrades in 1-2 days.
The roof safety systems at Alexander Watson usually involve the installation of temporary edge protection, temporary harness anchor points, or a combination of both. It is a national Work Health & Safety requirement to use suitable protection when working at heights.
Once satisfied with your quote, confirm that you’re happy to proceed and are looking to access the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme. We’ll start the loan application process for you. Brighte will then contact you, guide you through the application, assess your eligibility, and inform you of the outcome.
Our lead times vary throughout the year, usually depending on the season. Please contact our team to discuss the type of insulation you’re looking for and we’ll be able to let you know what our lead times are.
Alexander Watson has a 50 Year Product Warranty Period backed by our manufacturer. We only work with the best products and best suppliers that proudly stand behind their technology.
Yes, however, installing insulation is not only a pesky job, it’s also dangerous. It’s highly recommended to contact a professional about having insulation installed in your home.
Walls
When the installers are doing wall insulation they will drill small holes under the windows to ensure all parts of the wall is being insulated. The drill holes are 16mm in diameter and are drilled in between the bricks. To fill them in we use mortar. If your mortar is not a standard grey, our team will aim to get the colour as close as possible to leave a seamless finish.
Installing cavity wall insulation can make electrical work more challenging. We recommend completing any wiring or electrical work before installing cavity wall insulation. Insulation doesn’t block access entirely, electricians can add wiring in at a later stage using a fibreglass straw rod, though it’s more complex than in an empty cavity. However, any insulation related electrical compliance work will need to be completed before the wall insulation is installed.
Electrical
When we do an insulation installation in a home, it can change the insulation environment for the existing cables. This often means the maximum amount of power allowed to pass through the circuit is reduced. In newer switchboards, this might be as simple as swapping some fuses, while older boards may require an upgrade for compliance. We also want to provide a complete coverage of ceiling insulation in your home and not leave any gaps, this means that we need a plan for recessed lighting in the home. We can either install downlights that are IC rated (IC stands for insulation contact) or place a downlight cover that is IC rated over the existing light so that we can safely bury it with insulation. https://alexanderwatson.com.au/news/why-upgrade-electrical-with-insulation/
The ACT Government requires an electrical inspection to be completed by a licenced electrician for any installation of insulation to ensure that the circuits, downlights and tastics are suitable to be surrounded by insulation. At Alexander Watson we strictly adhere to this.
The cost of electrical work is hard to estimate as every Canberra home is different. As a range, the electrical work may cost anywhere from $500 up to $3,000. For a more accurate estimate of the cost of electrical compliance work that may be required at your home visit our price estimator here, or get in touch with our team!
Of course! The benefit of us having our own electrical team is that we can undertake any other electrical work that you may require while we are there. Whatever is on your list of electrical things to do around the house, our team is here to help.
Absolutely, depending on our electrical team’s availability, we’re usually able to arrange the insulation installation and electrical work in a way that suits you.
For safety reasons, we may need to turn off the power during installation. This precaution protects our team and occupants from potential electrocution risks, such as exposed wiring or inadvertently activated lights and appliances during our work on the switchboard.
Adding thermal insulation can reduce the heat dissipation capacity of electrical cabling and appliances. Depending on the type of insulation installed or removed, adjustments to circuit protection may be required to meet Australian Standards.
When the sizes of the fuses protecting the existing circuit are reduced, the chance of the circuit tripping when overloaded is increased. We call this nuisance tripping.
While nuisance tripping is not usually a problem for lighting or power circuits in areas of the home such as lounge rooms and bedrooms, nuisance tripping on derated kitchen circuits is quite common. Kitchen appliances such as kettles and toasters draw large amounts of power for short periods of time and can easily trip a 13 amp breaker (the most common sized fuse that older homes need to be reduced to).
To avoid nuisance tripping, we simply run a new cable with a higher temperature rating to the kitchen powerpoints that allows us to install a larger fuse on that circuit. That way you can still make your toast and coffee at the same time without having to run to the switchboard.
The maximum amount of power allowed through a circuit according to the Australian Electrical Standards is dictated by the following three things; The cable size, temperature rating and insulation environment.
A cable can be deemed to sit in one of three environments. Free air, where the cable is untouched by any insulation. Partially surrounded, the cable touched insulation on one side. Completely surrounded, the cable is completely encased by insulation.
Typically, batts will create a partially surrounded environment for cables and blow-in will create a completely surrounded environment. As a rule of thumb, the more insulation that goes around a cable, the less power can be safely put through the circuit as the insulation reduces its ability to dissipate heat.
