Australia is full of weather extremes, so it can be hard to keep your home’s temperature regulated throughout such intense seasons. As the barrier to the outside world, your windows and doors have a big impact on how much you end up paying to heat and cool your house.
There are so many things you can do to your doors and windows to keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter that will also have a positive effect on your energy costs. Read on to find some handy hints that anyone can implement, no matter what your budget.
Utilise and control natural light
The sun is the ultimate source of warmth, but that’s not such a great thing when it comes to the sweltering summer months.
Opting for tinting or Low-E glass can deflect the sun’s rays and help to keep your home cool even when the sun is at its most intense. All of Accent’s products come with tinting options, double glazing and Low-E glass options.
On the other hand, letting sunlight in through your windows can be a great way to warm up a room in winter, especially if those windows are floor-to-ceiling.
Keep the cold out and the heat in
Did you know that a single pane of glass can lose almost ten times as much heat as the same area of insulated wall? No matter how amazing your heating system is, your home’s energy efficiency is going to suffer if your home can’t retain heat.
Retrofitting your home doesn’t have to cost much. The first thing you should do is seal up all draughts. This can be done using a sealant from a hardware store. Make sure you check all door and window frames for any potential draughts. If there’s a gap at the bottom of any doors, block them with “door snakes”— that’s a tube of durable fabric that can also be found at hardware stores.
Investing in some heavy, quality curtains will also help to both keep the cold out and keep the warmth in. Ditch those sheer window dressings and go for something quality instead.
If you do have the budget to do some renovations, double glazing will save you some serious dollars down the track. Double glazing increases a window’s thermal efficiency and helps to maintain the temperature inside your home.
Interested in double glazing? Reach out to the Accent team and discuss options to suit your home and energy needs today.
