Suffering from a freezing cold home? Grab a ladder and pop your head up through the access hatch - you may find your ceiling isn't insulated. You'd be amazed how many homes (even in Canberra!) don't have ceiling insulation. Yet other than closing the doors, this is the single biggest thing you can do to improve your 'indoor climate' and cull your heating bill in winter, and your cooling bill in summer for that matter (plus help the greenhouse problem).

But there is now help available - even if you are only renting.

The Federal Government has launched a subsidy program that should completely cover the cost of ceiling insulation in a home that doesn't already have it - up to $1600 for owner-occupiers and $1000 for landlords with either no ceiling insulation, or existing insulation of negligible value (less than R0.5).

You can access this subsidy now, with all the details available on www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or after 1 July 2009, you can simply contact an insulation installer and they'll cover all the paperwork.

If you are renting, then discuss the subsidy with your landlord or property manager before proceeding - there is an information kit available on the website to help. There is additional help and advice for renters through the Alternative Technology Association - just email renters@ata.org.au and ask for the Renters Guide to Sustainable Living.

If you are a landlord, you can insulate all your properties - not just one.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your ladder...

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