WHAT THE HECK IS
PASSIVE DESIGN?Passive design uses the climate to reduce or
eliminate the need for artifi cial heating and
cooling in your home, reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, and saving you substantial
money over time. A home with an orientation
that catches the sun in winter and cool
breezes in summer can keep occupants at
a comfortable temperature. Skylights can
reduce the need for lighting and also let in
cooler air, while shades can block sun when
it’s not wanted. Building materials with higher
thermal mass, such as concrete, used in
conjunction with passive design principles,
can regulate a home’s temperature. Most
importantly, passive design is based upon
a building where the walls, fl oors, roof and
windows are well-sealed and insulated to
prevent heat loss. Visit Yourhome.gov.au
for more information. AENERGY-SAVING WINDOWS
The promise Single-pane windows provide almost no insulation,
however, replacing them with new double-glazed windows can be
expensive and usually not cost-effective, says ATA’s energy analyst
Andrew Reddaway. It’s less expensive to install them at construction
stage. What’s involved For new double-glazed windows, consider
thermally broken aluminium, timber or uPVC frames. To improve
insulation of existing windows, Andrew suggests products to add
extra panes and seals for window frames to prevent air leaking.
“A window’s performance can be improved dramatically by adding
heavy curtains with a pelmet, or tight-fi tting honeycomb blinds,” he
says. Likewise, keep your home cool in summer with awnings and
shutters. Cost Stegbar estimates double-glazed windows for an
average home at construction costs about $22,800, compared to
$12,800 for single-glazed windows. Replacing existing windows
comes in at around $32,800. Best for People building their home.
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