Choosing Energy Efficient Windows

Aluminium and steel frames meet most requirements for bushfire protection, but you will also want to consider thermal performance. Low-e coatings can also be tuned to reflect short-wavelength solar heat—the radiation that comes from the sun hitting your windows—to further reduce the SHGC. All low-e coatings will reduce SHGC to some extent, but the exact amount can be tuned for the particular use. For example, in warmer climates, low-e coatings with a  low SHGC can be used to minimise heat transmission, particularly in cases where the windows can’t easily be shaded.
Solar Comfort™ windows and doors are available in expansive sizes and lifestyle configurations, with modern hardware and beautiful frame colours. Technological advancements that allow for better performing glazing prevent excessive heat from escaping the building. This means that buildings rely less on energy to heat up, thereby resulting in windows installation lower energy bills. If you're worried about the idea of "gas filling" between window panes, don't be! The goal of energy-saving window designs is to benefit the homeowner in the most eco-friendly way possible. If the homeowner opens a window during summer, the heat from the outside will be able to come in and warm up the inside of the unit.

Factors to consider include frame material options , form and function , and budget (low-e coatings, gas fills, number of panes). Upgrade to energy-efficient windows for enhanced comfort, reduced energy consumption, and a more sustainable future. The operation style and configuration of windows you want to install should factor into your final decision, along with their energy efficiency features.
Building Regulations state that all replacement windows must be WER-rated C or have a U value of 1.4  W/m2K or lower. The U-value is rated on a scale from 0.01 W/m2K being ultra-low to 4.8 W/m2K which is a high rating for single glazing. This allows the shortwave radiation solar gain from sunlight into a room but reflects the longwave radiation back into the room. Shades are typically fabric or vinyl and the material may have openings that allow some visibility through the window. They are usually manually operated, though some can be opened or closed with a crank inside the home.

We are offering for our windows the best and most modern warm edge spacer, offered by Swisspacer, Alupro, Technoform, Fenzi and Lisec. Salespeople often offer demonstrations on the benefits of special coatings on the glass to block or reflect solar heat. You can find many of these demos on YouTube by searching for “window low-e coating demonstrations”. Look for the certification label below on every window and patio door you buy. These ratings allow you to measure and compare the energy performance of similar products. If a product does not have this label, the NFRC has not verified its claims.
For help searching for windows, visit our advanced search engine which has these calculations and many more features built in. The report will list one or many values for windows, these being U value and SHGC. In order to comply the window system must perform to the set parameters. It's important to note, that these values are 'whole window values', not glass alone. So, when purchasing windows for your new home or your home renovation ensure that you contact a  WERS member to get WERS rated windows and ask them for a WERS certificate.
The frames of your windows could add an extra beauty to both - windows and home. Without efficient windows, your air conditioning system can be overwhelmed, trying to counteract the continuous influx of heat, leading to increased energy consumption and higher utility bills. Integrity Windows® Ultrex® Fiberglass Sliders are the perfect alternative to casement windows when space is limited to allow for a swinging sash, like over a kitchen sink. It's offered in LoE2 tempered glass for extra durability, shatter resistance and a special efficiency glazing. Product availability, pricing, features, options, sizes, configurations and performance are subject to regional variations, design requirements, and building codes.

Many window lines offer numerous options for colors, grids, and glass type. The Window Energy Rating Scheme employs a combination of physical testing and computer simulation to generate energy ratings for fenestration products. WERS applies a suite of interlinked procedures including those used by the U.S. As with the NFRC, WERS uses the software tools Window 7, Optics 6 and Therm 7.
Tinted glass has been coloured or treated to reduce the transmission of visible light. For Brisbane’s hot climate, homeowners prefer a medium to dark tint of around 20% to 50% VLT. Annealed glass is the most common type of glass, produced by slowly cooling the glass after it is formed. This process helps to relieve internal stresses and improve its overall strength. Passive House standard, include a specific standard of thermal performance for the building envelope. Consider fully insulating your home to get the most out of weatherization.

Lobby glass required 11 stories of scaffolding erected, broken down, moved and re-erected in three separate locations during the installation. Please note that the NFRC directory loads slowly for large product lines and only allows for reviewing one product line at a time. The lower the U-Factor, the better the insulative capacities of  the window. The Efficient Window Collaborative providesadditional guidanceto help you discover the ideal SHGC rating for your region.
As a part of the certification of these windows there is a requirement for every WERS member to participate in our NATA accredited audit scheme. WERS membership can be verified using the WERS members search or by contacting the WERS Office. Whether it’s traffic roaring past your house, noisy neighbours, or the wind howling through cracks, sound can invade your peace and comfort.
WERS also certifies commercial products for use in Section J of the BCA, Volume One. The use of commercially rated products is strictly for use in Section J of the BCA Volume One only. As this is the case to use a product in Volume Two of the BCA the product must be listed on the WERS Residential Certified Products Directory. To enable the selection of high performance in different areas of Australia, WERS has split the country into three main areas that each require different window properties to achieve the best results. We recommend taking advantage of window providers’ free estimates and consultations and scheduling appointments with representatives from multiple window brands like Champion and Renewal by Andersen. Champion is a full-service window provider that has in-home consultations, virtual consultations, and an online chat feature, providing multiple points of communication.

Moreover, recycling glass uses 40% less energy than manufacturing new glass and reduces related air pollution by 20%. As of today, the European doors and windows market, which includes sustainable glass windows, is projected to reach GBP 61.86 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.13%. The increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions and sustainable practices drives this growth. For instance, Europe's acoustic insulation glass windows market is expected to experience a significant increase between 2023 and 2030. The global insulating glass window market was valued at approximately £10,139.36 million in 2021 and is projected to reach about £13,662.24 million by 2026. Insulating glass windows increase the thermal efficiency of buildings by minimising the transfer of heat/cold from within the building environment to the outside environment.
Purchasing Andersen® Windows with the EcoExcel™ energy performance package will assure you that your windows will meet the tax credit performance criteria. You can choose from a wide variety of styles and custom or standard shapes from the 400 Series and 100 Series product lines without paying for expensive upgrades. These windows are 70% more energy-efficient in the summer and 45% more energy-efficient in the winter compared to standard dual pane glass. All energy-saving windows have a performance label from the National Fenestration Rating Council , which can be used to determine the energy efficiency of a product. Thankfully, the NFRC website has a guide to all the ratings and meanings on a performance label for consumers' benefit. If eligible, the program qualifies your home for energy-saving windows free of charge.