Home heating, cooling and lighting can be significantly enhanced by placing, sizing and shading windows correctly. You can reduce energy costs by ensuring windows are well placed, sized, glazed and framed, reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. There are a number of ways to save energy and money using energy efficient design for windows.

Double glazing reduces heat loss. It is more expensive than normal single glazing at around 1.5 to 2 times the cost. Double glazed windows are generally installed in new homes or renovations, although add-on double glazing is available.

There are a number of high performance glazing products available that can help reduce heat loss. Your energy efficient builder or designer or insulation retailer will help you select the appropriate glazing for your windows.

Shading
East and west-facing windows should be shaded from the sun by vertical shading devices such as external blinds or shutters. North-facing windows can also be shaded by suitably designed eaves or pergolas which provide access for the winter sun, while providing shade from the summer sun. For more information on using plants and trees for appropriate home shading.