The post Window Performance and WERS: What Do I Need To Know? appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>So, how do you start to understand window performance, and just what is WERS?
Short for Window Energy Rating Scheme, WERS is a scientifically based and credible rating system which enables you to assess products for their energy efficiency performance.
WERS helps to simplify the tricky world of window comparison with a simple star rating system for the performance of residential windows. These star ratings are based on a window’s performance which includes its U-value and its SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient).
Remember that a window is generally made up of a number of parts such as the frame, glass and spacer bar – the WER helps to combine these different aspects and give a whole window energy rating.
There are a number of ways that heat can be gained or lost through windows. This becomes a problem in the warm Summer months when you want your home to be cool, or in the Winter when you are spending money on electricity and gas to heat your home.
Some of the ways in which heat can be lost or gained through windows includes;
When it comes to environmental benefits and energy efficiency, windows with high WERS are usually considered the best.
A window that has a high WER will be able to help you to reduce the amount of energy (either gas or electricity) which is needed to heat or cool your home. This can reduce your carbon emissions by a substantial amount.
Efficiency properties aside, there are several other factors you may want to consider when it comes to your windows and how you want them to perform.
If you would like more information or advice regarding window performance and selecting the most appropriate products for your home, contact us today.
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]]>The post The Benefits of Insulating My Garage appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>Is your garage attached or detached?
Depending on the style of your home and property, your garage may be either attached or separate to your main dwelling.
Did you know that if the garage is attached to your home, there are specific R value ratings for the ceilings that you are required to meet to adhere to building codes? To ensure you’re compliant, engage an insulation specialist who can provide you with the correct recommendations for your home.
If your garage is detached, there aren’t set rules for insulating your space – yet this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about it. There are so many benefits from insulating your garage which will lead to your increased comfort and effective temporal control for the space.
Imagine on a cold winter’s day being able to head out to the garage and not dread the freezing temperatures or draughts coming in. Many people use their garage simply as a place to store their car, motorbikes or bikes – because it’s generally not a space with pleasant temperatures in either Summer or Winter. By properly insulating your garage, you can enjoy your garage in every season and start to use it for projects, kid’s play or a fitness room.
If your garage is attached to your home, it’s important to ensure the temperature of this area is controlled. Did you know that every time you open the door of your garage, you’ll be affecting the temperature in your home? This means that you could be interfering with your heating and air-conditioning systems and causing them to work harder unnecessarily. Insulation in your garage means that your energy use will be much more efficient, cost-effective and better for the environment.
Your garage typically doubles as a storage space for personal items that either can’t be stored in your home, or you’ve simply run out of storage room inside! By insulating your garage, you can safely store a variety of items without worrying if they will deteriorate such as seasonal decorations or collectables. Insulation is also effective in reducing humidity which is fantastic when it comes to storing items that have a tendency to rust.
If you’ve got teenagers who like to have friends over, children who practice musical instruments or a partner who likes to use power tools for DIY projects, having a well-insulated space for them to retreat to may be a welcome relief! By insulating your garage, you can reduce noise transmission in your home and enjoy increased comfort.
Insulation in your garage has an important safety function in that it can help to protect you and your family from carbon monoxide. This can quickly become trapped in the garage – especially when remote start systems are engaged accidentally.
As you can see there are multiple benefits to insulating your garage – whether you’re doing it for financial, environmental or safety reasons. The sooner you insulate your garage, the sooner you can start to enjoy the benefits of an extra space within your home for all the family to enjoy.
Get in touch with us today and speak with our knowledgeable team about your specific insulation requirements.
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]]>The post How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>From improving the planet for generations to come, to taking small steps to create a better world for us all to live in, reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t have to blow your budget or take up tonnes of your time.
There are so many things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, not least through thinking carefully about your home energy consumption. From the large actions to the small steps, reducing your carbon footprint with a focus on home energy consumption can be effective immediately.
Have a think about your home and the energy you and your family consume. Here are some top tips for reducing your home’s carbon footprint:
Insulating your home can include everything from installing more effective roof insulation, to reducing the drafts and air leaks around your doors and window frames.
If you’re unsure on which are the most energy efficient appliances, check out the star rating they have or ask for expert help.
If you do need lights to be left on for long periods of time, try replacing traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs for better energy efficiency.
Again, ensuring your home is well insulated is a great way to control the temperature in your home and reduce your energy bills.
Reducing your carbon footprint has so many benefits – for you and for future generations. Making your home more energy efficient is a great way to see results fast and you can enjoy the financial and environmental benefits to boot.
Would you like personalised advice when it comes to improving the efficiency of your home? Get in touch with us today.
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]]>The post How Can Double Glazing Reduce Outside Noises? appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>So how does double glazing reduce outside noise? While many people are familiar with double glazing, few actually understand how it works.
In order to understand how double glazing can effectively reduce noise in your home or office, first we must look at sound:
Did you know that a comfortable level of sound for the human ear is around 35 decibels during the day and around 30 decibels at night? Obviously, this will vary from person to person and you also may want your property quieter than this due to concentration levels required (especially if it’s an office building) or if you have young children or babies asleep.
Double glazing can be really effective in reducing the energy carried in the sound waves. When you consider that sound travels at around 1234 kilometres per hour and arrives at a surface (such as a window) in a pressure wave, you can understand why a regular window may not always be effective in reducing this pressure.
Sound can vibrate a single glazed window pane which then vibrates the air on the other side and passes the sound onto your ear. If a window is double glazed, this is significantly reduced.
It’s important to understand the different types of outside noise though – it can sometimes be harder to block lower frequency sounds such as traffic. Generally, you just need to find the right type of double glazing for your specific needs.
This will depend greatly on the individual property and the sounds experienced in your particular location (e.g. proximity to a highway, airport, general street noise).
Well installed double glazing can reduce outside noise by up to 31 decibels – this is the difference between normal speech and a quiet whisper!
It’s also really important that you engage experienced professionals to fit your double glazing. Even the best double glazed windows cannot be fully effective if they are poorly installed, as any cracks or gaps will reduce the effectiveness of the window in reducing noise.
The right type of double glazing will depend on where you live or work, the type of building you have and the type of location you’re in – this will determine the noises that you are looking to reduce.
It’s also important to note that while double glazing can reduce noise, they’re also effective in improving the energy efficiency in your space by helping to stabilise the internal temperature. In Summer, double glazing can help to deflect the harsh rays of the sun entering via your windows and in Winter, keep the warmth in while you’re running heating.
To ensure you select the right window solution for your home or office, it’s recommended that you speak with an expert in double glazing. They will take the time to learn about your environment, the type of noise you are looking to reduce and recommend a product that will be most suitable for you.
Contact us today and speak to our expert team about double glazing solutions for your home or office.
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]]>The post How Does Having a Well Ventilated Home Help to Reduce Allergy Symptoms? appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>Generally, home ventilation systems are installed in your roof space and draw in air from two key areas:
Home ventilation systems will filter the incoming air to take out toxins, and specifically for those suffering from allergies – elements such as pollen or dust mites.
One of the best ways to reduce allergy symptoms when ventilating your home is considering how you can reduce the moisture in your home. This is really key in rooms such as your kitchen and bathroom.
Whichever ventilation system you choose – whether it’s as simple as a basic fan or as advanced as the Odyssey home ventilation system, you need to make sure that you maintain them to ensure they work as efficiently as possible.
Make sure you check your ventilation systems regularly to avoid build up of dirt or dust. Your ventilation systems will work best and for long periods of time without needing replacement when they are well maintained and monitored.
If you’re looking for expert advice tailored for your home, contact us today for more information.
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]]>The post Should I Insulate My Shed? appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>Whether it’s your workshop, games room, man cave or home studio, sheds can often be prone to becoming overwhelmingly hot in the Summer and freezing during Winter – and dark for the most part if no windows are installed.
As such, you run the risk of the contents of your shed deteriorating due to the extreme conditions.
Insulating your shed will mean that it is comfortable throughout the year, allowing you to get maximum usage from it whatever the weather while protecting the contents inside.
The first step in both building a shed or renovating your existing shed is to carefully consider what you shed will be used for.
New Shed build : This is the best time to be thinking about insulating your shed. Why? At this point you can ensure the insulation is integrated into the build which can save you money upfront. The best product in our experience to insulate an shed under construction is Bradford Anticon. This product combines a reflective foil face with glass wool blanket to provide excellent thermal and acoustic properties. It is best fitted between the external cladding and the roof /wall framing.
Shed already built: If your shed is already built you have a couple of options. If you are fairly handy, you can line the inside of your shed with plasterboard/chip board (or similar) and fit batts between the external and internal linings. This approach will provide excellent thermal and acoustic properties but it is labour intensive. The alternative is to retrofit a foil faced flexible form style insulation, such as Bradford Polyair Performa. This product can be screw fixed to internal framing members and will also provide good thermal performance
Natural Light: If you plan to spend time in your shed working on projects, ensuring you have plenty of natural light is essential to keep your electricity bills down. Considering a wind driven ventilator such as the Edmonds TurboBeam is an excellent way ventilate your shed while the clear acrylic head allows the natural sunlight in.
Insulation in your shed will provide numerous benefits including:
Sheds give you extra space in your home, provide a haven to escape to and act as priceless storage when it seems like every room in your house is fit to burst!
Investing in your shed by opting for high quality insulation and ventilation will ensure that your shed is future-proofed for the long run, and your valuables are well protected.
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]]>The post What is uPVC? appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>uPVC is a form of unplasticised PVC used for window frames to enhance their durability while delivering energy efficient benefits through limiting the transfer of heat and cold through the window frame.
There are lots of good reasons to consider using uPVC for your windows. These can include some of the following:
If you have large window frames and are worried about the strength of the window, uPVC windows can be strengthened with steel reinforcements.
Most people are surprised to find out that uPVC is actually competitively priced when compared to aluminium or timber window frames.
You may also experience savings due to the energy efficiency of the high standard of insulation which uPVC window frames are able to offer. uPVC windows and doors are designed to enhance the indoor living comfort of your environment by maintaining the internal temperature, creating a high performing and energy efficient home.
With uPVC, you will be assured that the material is durable and won’t need replacing within a few years – meaning that long term you could also be saving money.
As a material, uPVC is pretty low maintenance – hence it’s become increasingly popular in Australia in recent decades. You’ll need to make sure it’s cleaned regularly but you won’t have to worry about rot or decay as you would with timber frames.
It’s natural to be concerned about using certain materials in your home but rest assured that uPVC is a safe and non toxic material as long as it’s not burnt. It can also be recycled safely.
uPVC frames are generally suitable for moderate bushfire areas, which translates to a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) of 29.
If you’re unsure about whether uPVC is the right option for you, consider your individual needs and the type of property that you own.
Do you want an efficient, low cost material for window frames that offers security, sound insulation and can withstand extreme weather conditions? Give us a call and talk to us today about uPVC windows to find out more!
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]]>The post What Do the R Values in Insulation Mean? appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>In your home, insulation aims to provide resistance to heat flow – thereby lowering your heating and cooling costs. Good insulation can mean reduced energy bills and increased comfort.
Insulation materials function by slowing the conductive heat flow and (to some extent) the convective heat flow. All insulation materials can be rated in terms of their thermal resistance or R Value.
An R value relates to an insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow. The higher the R value, the more effective the material will be for insulation.
So remember, the higher the R value, the higher the resistance and therefore the better the rate of thermal insulation the material offers.
R value can depend on a variety of factors including:
Sometimes, the R value of an insulating material can depend on temperature, age and the accumulation of moisture.
It’s important to remember that when you’re calculating the R value of multi-layered insulation, you’ll need to add together the R values of individual layers to get the overall rating.
When considering this, you’ll want to think about your individual needs – such as your budget for insulating your home as well as the maintenance and durability that you require for the insulation process and materials.
It’s really important that you consider the R values in any materials that you consider – and bear in mind modern batt-type insulation can very from R1.5 all the way up to R7. As an example most homes across Australia would require either R4 or R5 level of ceiling insulation.
There’s no doubt that the R value of insulation materials is very important when choosing how to insulate your home and what to use.
However you’ll also want to consider some of the following factors including:
Get in touch with us today to find out more about the benefits of insulating your home and the right solution for your requirements.
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]]>The post The Odyssey Air Exchange System Explained appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>The Odyssey air exchange system is an energy efficient air exchange system, which could make a huge difference – not only to your comfort levels but also to your energy bills.
Odyssey air exchange system is designed to reduce your air conditioning usage by using intelligent air exchange.
The system works by removing hot air from your home. During the day, the outside temperature is generally warmer than the temperature inside your home – Odyssey works in Roof cool mode to relieve your roof space of hot air.
By exhausting the hot air from a roof space, your home stays cooler and heat is not soaked into the property’s structure, which would allow it to potentially cause long term damage.
Customer satisfaction is extremely high when it comes to the odyssey air exchange system.
Did you know that with its large capacity ventilator, just one odyssey unit has the ability to exchange the air in a 150-metre squared space up to five times per hour?
The Odyssey air exchange system is incredibly easy to use – it has a touchscreen control panel allowing you to control and monitor the conditions in your home and set your preferences for the air exchange system to maintain.
With the touchscreen control panel, you can set your preferred settings and then leave it to Odyssey to automatically achieve these throughout the year. You can also track the temperature data in your home as far back as 6 months if you’re interested to analyse how things are going.
Did you know your roof space can reach up to 70 degrees celcius during the day in summer? Luckily, odyssey air exchange will work automatically to regulate your home.
The Odyssey valve shuts to the home and hot air is exhausted from the roof cavity, helping to reduce the load on insulation.
The set level for your roof space temperature will be set between 35-50 degrees. If this temperature is exceeded, the Odyssey air exchange system reverts to power operation, which allows it to remove a greater quantity of roof space air.
The walls and floors in your home store heat from the day and would usually radiate this of a night, which can often lead to uncomfortable sleeping conditions. Instead, the Odyssey air exchange system works to regulate the temperature of your home to achieve a comfortable and consistent environment throughout the night.
There are so many positive things to enjoy about the odyssey air exchange system – both day and night.
As well as settling into your comfortable home and to track data on your energy usage and temperature records, you’ll also be able to measure and manage condensation.
This can help you to avoid long term issues such as damage to rafters and ceilings as well as ongoing problems such as mould.
Would you like to learn more about the Odyssey Air Exchange system? Get in touch with us today and speak to our team of knowledgeable experts.
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]]>The post What is the Ideal Temperature Required for my Baby’s Room? appeared first on Energy Efficiency Centre.
]]>Figuring out the ideal temperature for your baby’s room is really important to do from the very beginning as newborn babies may especially struggle to regulate their own temperature.
Generally, experts recommend that a baby’s room must be set at a temperature of between 16-20 degrees celcuis for optimum health and safety.
At 16-20 degrees, the baby can also use light bedding or a lightweight baby sleeping bag to ensure they are comfortable and secure.
Many people overheat a baby’s room for fear of them getting cold but it’s really important to know that the chance of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) may increase when a baby is too hot.
If you want to aim for an exact temperature, go for 18 degrees and this should give you a little room either side depending on the conditions outside.
As a parent or carer, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure your baby is safe and healthy. Having a well insulated home with efficient heating and cooling systems can be one of the best ways to achieve the ideal temperature in each individual room and avoid secure temperature fluctuations.
Here are some top tips for getting the temperature right in your baby’s room:
This is one of the most reliable and accurate methods. Measure the temperature at regular intervals by using either an analogue or digital thermometer. You can then adjust your heating or cooling systems accordingly to ensure that the temperature stays within the range of 16-20 degrees throughout.
If you have a thermostat, move it into the baby’s room to ensure that the temperature is always recorded and reacted to. Often people make the mistake of having a thermostat in a hallway or near the kitchen so temperatures for the home are often unequal.
Having smart heating controls makes adjusting the temperature in your baby’s room even easier. Whichever system you use, make sure that your baby’s room is between 16-20 degrees and set this as an ongoing status.
Try to ensure that your home is well prepared before your baby is born. The most important thing is to make sure that your insulation is good and that your home functions efficiently in both the hot and cold weather. Insulating your home will also help you avoid spending excess money on heating and cooling bills – reducing your energy costs and your carbon footprint.
Draughts can make a room feel very cold and dramatically reduce the energy efficiency of a room. Always check for draughts around window and door frames to make sure you’re not losing heat in Winter or letting out cool air in Summer. Your baby will benefit from a room free of draughts – which can really alter the temperature.
It’s important that as well as achieving an ideal temperature of between 16-20 degrees, your baby also enjoys adequate air circulation whilst they are sleeping. You can do this with a conventional fan or you can rely on air conditioning or cooling systems. Always make sure that the air is circulating well in the room.
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