Watch Wasteful Windows!

Windows are an important part of household energy efficiency. Up to 30% of the heat lost and gained in homes is through poorly protected or positioned windows.

In winter all windows require protection from heat loss. When warm air comes into contact with a cold window the heat transfers through the glass, and the cooled air falls to the floor and becomes a cold draught. This makes the room significantly cooler and less comfortable.

Window protection such as curtains and pelmets, double glazing, close fitting blinds and tightly sealed shutters all help to keep your home much more snug and also reduce your winter heating costs.

Ways to protecting your windows from heat loss include:

Install thick curtains or blinds
Thick curtains or blinds act to trap a layer of insulating air between the window and the rest of the room and can achieve savings in heat loss of up to 40%. Even if you already have curtains, adding extra lining or buying thicker curtains will make a real difference to how warm your house stays. Remember that a still, sealed air space is the key - avoid vertical and venetian blinds as they don't give a good air seal between the window and the rest of the room.

When it comes to finding curtains or blinds there are lots of options available depending on your budget:

1. Buy ready made curtains: A variety of curtains are available to buy ready made off the shelf from stores. If you are looking at investing in good curtains it is worth checking out a luxaflex duette shades - it's like insulation for your windows. Other manufacturers are making a similar curtain now as well which work by trapping layers of air. Visit: http://www.luxaflex.com.au/au/en/exploringourproducts/duetteshades/duetteshades/sb.cn

2. Buy second hand: Op shops can be a great place to pick up cheap but good quality curtains, as can garage sales, the Trading Post or e-bay.

3. Get someone to make them for you: You can get a professional to make and hang the curtains for you - this is usually a more expensive option but may provide a better outcome.

4. Make your own: Sometimes the cheapest option can be to make your own and believe it or not, it's not that hard! Local libraries or the internet can be a great source of information on how to make curtains, and neighbourhood houses and craft shops often run sewing courses that could help you get started.

Pelmets
To work most effectively, curtains should cover the entire window and should drop well below the bottom of the window frame. Curtains should also have a barrier at the top such as a boxed pelmet. Pelmets help you conserve energy by stopping the warm air which has risen to the top of the room from going over the top of the curtain and transferring through the window.

If you don't have pelmets consider getting some added, or for a cheap temporary option, place a rolled up towel or length of thick cardboard across the top of your curtains. Or if you don't like the idea of pelmets, install your curtains or blinds as close as possible to the window pane.


Double glazing
Another way to stop heat loss through your windows is through double glazing. Double glazed windows typically involve two panes of glass separated by a sealed layer of air between 6-20mm thick. As with curtains or blinds, this air acts as an insulator between the outer window and the warm air inside.

To retrofit existing windows, Clear Comfort is a cheap, do it your self option which gives the double glazed effect. Clear Comfort is a totally transparent heat shrink material which you attach to your window frame and then shrink to fit with a hair dryer. For more information visit: www.clearcomfort.com.au

For a permanent retrofit option consider Magnetite. Magnetite has been designed and tested to work with your existing windows, doors, skylights and glass areas. A small frame fits around the inside perimeter of the area and the Magnetite panels attach magnetically to the frame. http://www.magnetite.com.au/

For more information about double glazing and window treatments check out the Your Home Technical Manual, available online at www.yourhome.gov.au or purchase a hard copy from the Alternative Technology Association. www.ata.org.au

Skylights and roof glazing

While skylights let in great light, in winter they can cause substantial heat loss as hot air rises. Things to do include installing double glazed roof glazing or skylights or fit your skylight with a ceiling diffuser to stop heat loss during winter. A cheap, do it your self alternative is to attach bubble wrap to the inside of the skylight.

Window frames

The material that a window frame is made out of can also affect the window's overall performance. In general PVC and timber frames perform better than metal frames, which is a good point to keep in mind if you are wanting to replace or put in new windows.

For more information about windows or double glazing visit: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au . Go to "get informed/ resources"