How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
An energy-efficient home can significantly reduce your energy bill and environmental impact. We look at ways to make your home more energy efficient.
As you know, the winter can get mighty chilly in New Zealand. When building a new home or renovating, it’s important to ensure the insulation of your home is up to code. Your planned project needs to have the right level of thermal resistance based on its location to ensure that it is fit for purpose.
Keep reading to find out how double glazed windows can help you stay warm in your new home.
New houses in NZ were not required to have proper insulation in some areas until 1978. As a result, many older houses can be very cold in the winter. Without proper insulation, houses become cold, damp and uncomfortable. What’s more, central heating is a very uncommon feature in most New Zealand homes, making proper insulation all the more important.
No longer just a comfort issue, the health of New Zealand citizens is threatened by the lack of insulation and proper heating systems.
Did you know that up to 40% of a home’s heating can be lost and up to 87% can be gained through the windows? Installing double glazed windows is the first step toward having a properly insulated, temperature-controlled home.
The gas in between the two panes of glass minimises heat transfer, keeping the cold air out and the warm air in.
This lack of heat transfer also virtually eliminates any condensation on the inside of the window, keeping your house dry and safe from mould or dampness.
While double glazed windows do have a high initial cost, they are worth the investment. You’ll cut down energy costs as less heating is required to keep your house warm. The lack of moisture will also be beneficial for the health of you and your family by helping to eliminate asthma and allergy symptoms. Double glazing can be easily retrofitted in existing homes and is a great option for new builds throughout New Zealand.
You can maximise the positive effects of double glazed windows by choosing the right framing materials. Aluminium is the most common in New Zealand, however as an excellent conductor, you will experience some heat transfer and condensation on the joinery. To avoid this, treated timber joinery is an excellent choice.
Your insulation requirements will be different depending on where your home is located. Building Code requirements state that all houses with timber-framed walls require double glazed windows or the equivalent. It’s a good idea to chat with an expert to discuss what window choice is best for your home. It’s better to invest in high-quality insulation now and be protected than struggle with extreme weather conditions in the future.
Talk to the experts at Atlas Glass about double glazed windows for your new or existing home. Call us on 09 820 0160 today.
An energy-efficient home can significantly reduce your energy bill and environmental impact. We look at ways to make your home more energy efficient.
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