Double glazing does not stop most direct solar heat gain (SHG) - the sun shining through the window. Should still look at the means of limiting this - even on…

With this configuration you need as much insulation as possible. If your roof tiles are dark they could get very hot (60 - 90 degrees) in summer if the roof…

It is clear from the figures that you provide that option 1 glazing is the better option in terms of limiting heat flows. Option 1 provides a window R rating…

I am planning to put in a bladder tank but haven't yet , so no practical experience to report. But seems a good use for what would otherwise be waste…

I am in the process of designing my house. It is going to be energy efficient with lots of wall and roof insulation and double glazed windows (with thermally broken…

I am sorry to confuse as well.
If I understand your requirement you want to stop sunlight from entering through the western windows - on summer days.
Ed has suggested clear low-e…

Ed - thanks for that link. It proves to me how complex low-e glass is. In the first dot point in the articles is says “During a summer day, the…

All I will say is that the buyer should check the Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient (SHGC) provided by the manufacturer or from wers.net. Is the chosen low-e window sufficient to…

Low E glass is not good at lowering direct solar heat gain - that is lessening the sun light shining direct through the window into the house - which is…

Need to address over usage prior to solar PV panels.
If the pool is your issue plenty of reading here:
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/pool ... am-i-using
http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/swim ...…

I installed one of these with a small solar panel.
http://www.envirofan.net.au/dual_fans.htm
Replaced an existing vent and blocked off one or two other nearby vents - need to consider…

May have heard all of these before - but here is my list.
Sealing gaps around doors and elsewhere - a lot of heat can be lost or gained there.
Solar Hot…

Hebel panel would have better insulation than standard brick but still not sufficient on its own (IMO).
http://www.hebelaustralia.com.au/homeow ... lWall.aspx

Hebel Power Panel consists of 75mm reinforced Hebel panel that is screwed (indirectly) to the houses timber frame. As such it is is veneer, similar to brick veneer only with…

There are quite a few home budget spreadsheets available for download on the internet - search in your favourite engine. Or it is easy enough to make your own.
Also don't…

Sarking (reflective foil laminate - RFL) will greatly assist keeping out radiant heat in summer. The roof sheeting and tiles get very hot in summer - especially dark coloured roofing.…

If sun onto the Northern window is the problem (no eaves?) then you could combine the card board sun block idea and your foil idea by sticking aluminium cooking foil…

As suggested you need to check your electricity bills over the last year and work out an average kiloWatt Hours (kWh) per day.
Then read this from the Your Home Technical…

Double glazing will cut down on direct solar gains compared to single glazing - perhaps up to 10%. However it will cut down conduction / convection heat losses by 33…

Dymonite
Floyd is the President of the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA). They are the association that accredits and registers house raters. Clearly he should know how to use the…

Please use whatever wood heater you decide on efficiently. A smoking chimney means an inefficient wood burn and can be a nuisance and a health risk to neighbours (and yourself).

Maybe there are some ideas for your or your designer / rater in this paper.
http://www.absa.net.au/files/public/New ... 0Floyd.pdf

Ed - How easy is it to retro fit double glazed units to replace the single pane glass in existing frames? Suppose it depends on the type and condition of…

Heavy curtains and blinds certainly. Pelmets too. Seal other air leaks. Is your air return upstairs? If not block off stairs - with curtains or doors.
There are secondary glazing…

Have you considered a Stainless Steel Tank? About 50% more expensive than a colourbond type steel tank but should last a lot longer. Great for a potable water supply.

Try Your Home Technical Manual
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs67.html
Living Greener for Info on Rebates
http://www.livinggreener.gov.au/

As well as the DIY range they sell at Bunnings etc Raven (http://www.raven.com.au) sell a range of "architectural" products which have more advanced sealing options. Don't know where they sell…

I assume you tried http://www.buildingcommission.com.au.
Could stand outside their display homes. Offer potential customers the opportunity to see the real quality of their work. That would get a response of some…

When I was looking for a block some of the estates (in Victoria) had minimum house size covenants - often reasonably large. As I only wanted to build a smaller…

Sorry I didn't express that very well. Shade will of course keep heat out, along with insulation etc. However increased shade or more insulation will not introduce more coolness (sometimes…