Choosing Energy Efficient Windows: A Guide for Melbourne Homeowners

Installing energy efficient windows in Melbourne can help you cope with the city’s ever-changing weather. Your home will be more thermally efficient – being able to keep warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer – when you invest in energy efficient windows.  

Double glazing has a significant effect on the thermal performance of your home. Up to 40% of a home’s heating energy can be lost and up to 87% of heat gained through windows, especially when they are not energy efficient.  

By installing energy efficient windows in Melbourne, you can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, resulting in increased comfort in your home and lower energy bills.  

Keep reading for a guide to choosing energy efficient windows in your Melbourne home.  

What are energy efficient windows? 

Energy efficient windows often refer to double or triple glazed units, where at least two pieces of glass are combined with a gap in the middle. This gap acts as an insulating barrier which slows down the rate of heat escaping or entering your home.  

Double-glazed windows can reduce the heat loss or gain by almost 30% in comparison to single glazed options.  

You can also use low emittance glass (low-e glass) by adding a low-e coating to the internal pane of glass, which helps to warm your home in winter by reflecting heat back into the room.  

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much solar radiation passes through the window. Energy efficient windows with a high SHGC can allow more solar radiation to pass through in a cool climate, which results in free solar heating for your house.  

Energy efficient windows come down to three things: conduction, convection, and radiation.  

Conduction encompasses the glass, frame, and sealing materials which all reduce the heat conducted through the window. Convection refers to the air or gas between the glass panes which minimises heat transfer through convection currents. Radiation includes low-e glass which reflects infrared radiation to maintain the desired temperature in your home. 

Choose your framing  

A large part of energy efficient windows is the framing you choose. A popular choice is aluminium framing, which is strong, light, and durable.  

You can also choose other materials, such as timber and uPVC, which are slightly better insulators than aluminium. However, the thermal performance of aluminium framing can be improved with thermal breaks, which are insulating materials designed to separate the interior and exterior parts of the frame.  

You may come across the term “U-value” when searching for aluminium energy efficient windows. The U-value is a measure of how much heat transfers through the window – the lower it is, the better it is at keeping the heat or cold out. 

Many people opt for aluminium due to its low maintenance and durability, being corrosion resistant, as well as its aesthetic appeal.  

Evaluate window energy ratings  

When installing energy efficient windows in your Melbourne home, you should consider reviewing the energy rating. The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) is independently operated by the Australian Window Association (AWA).  

The energy rating is determined by the windows’ ability to insulate against heat loss in winter, and protect against heat gain in summer, while allowing or preventing the transmission of solar energy depending on which season it is.  

Windows which carry the WERS label will have been tested for energy performance and rated from 0 to 10 stars, with 10 stars being a perfect score.  

You can use this 10-star rating as a guide when choosing your energy efficient windows in Melbourne.  

Choose the right energy efficient windows 

Climate, orientation, and building design are factors that should be considered when selecting energy efficient windows for your Melbourne home. This is because the best option for your home can vary depending on these considerations.  

You should first consider the orientation of your home when choosing energy efficient windows in Melbourne. North-facing windows allow for passive solar heating during winter months. Because of this, low-e glass and units with a high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) are a good choice.  

East and west-facing windows have a high heat gain due to being exposed to direct sunlight in the morning and afternoon. Choosing energy efficient windows with a lower SHGC and good shading solutions are a good way to mitigate this effect.  

Due to the city’s varied weather, double glazed units are a popular choice when choosing energy efficient windows in Melbourne. Not only do these units reduce heat gain during the summer, but they also minimise heat loss in the winter. This can help to combat the variability of the weather. 

Choose Regency Windows for your energy-efficient windows in Melbourne  

Regency Windows is a leading manufacturer and supplier of energy efficient windows in Melbourne. With years of experience and expertise – you won’t just be getting a product, but a full step-by-step service, from quote all the way to clean-up. 

Our in-house manufacturing and installation services ensure that the best quality is delivered to our customers. Contact us today for a quote.