Energy Efficient Windows
Energy efficient windows not only save you money on energy bills, they make your house much more comfortable in Australia's extreme climate.
Window Energy Rating Scheme
The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) was developed by the Australasian Window Council (AWC) in conjunction with the Australian Greenhouse Office, to provide a means of cornparing the relative energy performance of different window types.
The scheme has been developed to help you make a decision about which window to buy to make your home more comfortable. And to ensure you get good advice, the AWC licenses the use of the WERS logo, only to those companies who agree to be audited by the Australian Window Association.
Climate Zones
When it comes to energy performance and comfort, different window solutions are required for different climates. Australia has many diverse climates but for simplicity, the country is divided into three broad climate zones to help you decide which window will be best for your home |
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Heating Climates are colder climates, where the largest energy load is in heating the home. Melbourne, Hobart, Tamworth and Canberra are typical heating climates.
Cooling Climates are hotter climates, where the largest energy load is in cooling the home. Brisbane, Cairns and Darwin are typical cooling climates.
Mixed Climates are moderate climates, where the energy load is similar for heating and cooling.
Quantum™ Energy Ratings
Quantum™ XP windows come in a number of different configurations, which provide a range of energy performance options. Choose the one that is best for your climate zone.
How to Choose the Window that is Best for You.
- Decide which climate zone is applicable to your house, using the map above.
- If you are in a heating or cooling climate zone, select a product from the relevant group of products recommended in the tables below. If you have a specific comfort issue, you can select a product from the mixed climate group. For example, if you live in a heating climate but you have a few windows exposed to the western sun, for these windows, you may decide to use the Quantum™ XP window with supertoned + low-e double glazing, which has a good cooling rating as well as a superior heating rating.
- If you are in a mixed climate zone, assess the environment near your home and decide its impact on your comfort needs in winter and summer, for example, tall trees shading the home in winter or exposure to the setting sun in summer. Choose a product from the mixed climate zone group that gives you the protection you need. For example, if you live in a valley covered by trees and find the house very cold in winter you might select the Quantum™ XP double glazed window with low-e and Argon gas fill, because you don't need as much protection in summer, but want maximum 5 star protection in winter.
Cooling Climate
In climates where the largest energy load is in cooling the home the following QuantumTM window options are recommended: |
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* These savings are the reduction in the total energy used to cool a standard house with the specific Quantum™ XP windows shown (with Essentials sash), when compared with energy consumed using standard aluminium sliding windows with 3mm glass.
# Low-e glass is clear glass with a low emissivity coating facing into the cavity between the two glass panes |
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Heating Climate
In climates where the largest energy load is in heating the home the following Quantum™ XP window options are recommended: |
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* These savings are the reduction in the total energy used to cool a standard house with the specific Quantum™ XP windows shown (with Essentials sash), when compared with energy consumed using standard aluminium sliding windows with 3mm glass.
# Low-e glass is clear glass with a low emissivity coating facing into the cavity between the two glass panes |
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Mixed Climate
In climates where the energy loads for both heating and cooling the home are similar, the following Quantum™ XP window options are recommended: |
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* These savings are the reduction in the total energy used to cool a standard house with the specific Quantum™ XP windows shown (with Essentials sash), when compared with energy consumed using standard aluminium sliding windows with 3mm glass.
# Low-e glass is clear glass with a low emissivity coating facing into the cavity between the two glass panes |
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Photographs