Your home is the one place in the world where you want to feel most comfortable. It can be challenging to adjust for weather changes, especially here in New South Wales, where our climate is influenced by multiple factors and varies across the state.
Did you know that your windows can significantly affect the temperature inside your home – and the kind of energy you consume trying to make yourself comfortable? Windows can make your house too warm and too cold, depending on the time of the year. In our current climate – where we experience weather variations from extreme heat, endless drought, followed by torrential rain and winter frosts, this is an essential factor to consider in your home.
For the majority of homeowners, around 40% of our annual energy costs relate to heating or cooling our environment. Improving window efficiency can actually save you a considerable amount if you know what to look for.
During summer, when temperatures are at their highest, close to 80% of the heat inside your home can be attributed to your windows. You may also be surprised to learn that these same “inefficient” windows can lose approximately 40% of your home’s heating or cooling energy. Visit yourhome.gov.au to learn more.
Choosing energy-efficient windows can help you to reduce your energy costs; and we are talking some considerable amounts too!
Think about your windows, doors and skylights. You can gain and lose heat through:
Imagine if you could save between 10% and 30% in energy consumption costs per year. This can represent a significant reduction over time on your electricity bill. The less energy we consume, the lower the effect we have individually on the world’s rising temperatures. According to the Australian Academy of Science, a warmer planet – due to greenhouse gas emissions – is one of the many conditions that has played a part in the recent, and devastating, Australian bushfires.
When it comes to making your home your favourite place, you might think of the items that go in it, rather than considering things like windows.
For liveable homes, window selection and placement are integral factors in managing your energy costs. Energy-efficient windows have different panelling layers and special insulation features.
Your best option, when it comes to choosing windows, is to look at the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) Star Rating. The WERS Scheme conveys information through:
Another reliable way to determine a window’s energy properties and to compare products is to consult the WERS Certified Product List.
Additionally, WERS and the Australian Window and Glass Association have developed a simple guide to help you choose sustainable windows based on your location and climate. For New South Wales climatic conditions, your considerations are a balance of reducing heat flow in summer and gaining solar heat in the winter months. Through energy-efficient choices, you can save approximately 3,000MJ of energy per star – which is the equivalent of $250 per year.
Versalite Windows is not just a supplier of windows to homeowners and builders – we are the designers and manufacturers in the window process from start to finish. When you work with us, you are getting exactly what you ask for.
Our expert manufacturers can even custom make your windows on-site at our Tamworth & Lismore facilities. This way, we can deliver the window that are most suitable to your home’s design and conditions, made right here in Australia. Our team has won multiple design awards and works with the most popular window styles. Our product line also includes doors, shower screens, wardrobe doors, screen doors, and mirrors. No need to worry about chasing multiple vendors around – we cover all your door and window needs in one place.
Energy-efficient windows are one of the easiest ways to save energy and with it, the planet. Contact us to find out more about our products!
