“The facts speak for themselves.”

HOW DO COSTS COMPARE?
WHAT’S HOLLOW CONJUGATE FIBRE?
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRODUCT R RATING AND THE CONSTRUCTION R RATING?
WHY A 50-YEAR PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE?
HOW ARE NOVAtherm AND NOVAHUSH GLUE-FREE?
IS POLYESTER SAFE?
WHAT ABOUT FIRE RISK?
WHERE CAN I BUY NOVAtherm OR NOVAHUSH?
WOULD MY HOME QUALIFY FOR FREE OR SUBSIDISED NOVAtherm THROUGH A RETRO-FIT PROJECT?

Q. How do costs compare?

A. Insulation prices vary depending on the use, amount and region. At lower R ratings, the price of NOVAtherm and NOVAhush is generally similar to glass fibre insulation. When there is a need for greater insulation (achieving a higher R rating) NOVAtherm becomes even better value. This is because the blanket form of NOVAtherm achieves a high R rating.

New Zealand's extreme climate causes many types of insulation to collapse over time. This means they will fail and need to be replaced. The true value of NOVAtherm is that is will keep performing for 50 years.

Q. What’s hollow conjugate fibre? A. One of the polyester fibre types in NOVAtherm and NOVAhush. Because the fibre is hollow it traps air within itself, as well as around it. ‘Conjugate’ means two types of polyester are joined together to form the fibre. This creates a fibre that looks and acts like a spring and gives NOVAtherm its unique thickness and bounce. Hollow conjugate fibre technology was initially used in quality sleeping bags and extreme clothing. NOVAtherm led the way globally in introducing these fibres to ceiling and wall insulation.

Q. What’s the difference between the product R rating and the construction R rating?

A. Product R rating is the insulation performance (thermal resistance) from one face of the insulation material to the other.

Construction R rating is the insulation performance from the inside of the building to the outside, taking into account all of the elements in the construction.

Q. Why a 50-year performance guarantee?

A. Because the building code states that materials must perform for at least 50 years. Under normal conditions, NOVAtherm and NOVAhush do not deteriorate. After 50 years, the performance will be the same as on day-one. So long as conditions remain normal, the performance will continue beyond the 50 years.

Other insulation starts to lose insulation power from day-one. The difference is that NOVAtherm uses no glues, which are liable to break down.

Q. How are NOVAtherm and NOVAhush glue-free?

A. The fibres are welded together, not glued. One of the fibres is a bicomponent low-melt fibre which has an outside sheath with a lower melting point than the other fibres. When NOVAtherm or NOVAhush passes through a special oven, this outside sheath melts and welds all the fibres together.

There are no glues used in making any NOVAtherm or NOVAhush products. Many other insulations are bonded with glues. Glues are known to break down over time, some releasing a chemical called formaldehyde. The World Health Organisation - International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a press release in June 2004, notifying that there is now sufficient evidence to re-classify formaldehyde as carcinogenic to humans.

Q. Is polyester safe?

A. Yes. The material has no negative effect on health. It causes no itching or skin irritation. Heat-welded polyester does not release fibres into the air (which is a cause of medical concern). This is one reason why many hospitals and buildings with air-conditioning systems choose NOVAtherm and NOVAhush.

Q. What about fire risk?

A. NOVAtherm and NOVAhush exceed all requirements of the New Zealand and Australian building codes. When tested in accordance with AS 1530.3, they achieved the fire indices listed below.

Q. Where can I buy NOVAtherm or NOVAhush?

A. Contact us, or for home insulation go direct to our network of residential installers.

Q. Would my home qualify for subsidised NOVAtherm through a retro-fit project? A. Your home may qualify if it was built before 2000. Contact our network of residential installers for more information.   Back to top
PHONE: 0800 100 007 EMAIL: insulation@NOVAtherm.co.nz