A lot of heat is lost through windows. If you are renovating, consider installing double glazing or low-emissivity glass windows. If you’re building a new home, you will have to double-glaze or use other thermal efficiency measures in most parts of New Zealand from mid-2008.
A good glazing system insulates your windows, while letting in the sun to encourage heating. The best systems stop the transfer of hot and cold air in and out of the home with a break in the aluminium framing.
Make sure double glazed or low-emissivity glass windows are accredited with the Window Efficiency Rating System (WERS), the official New Zealand window and door rating.
The Smarter Homes website has information on glazing and window framing.
New minimum insulation requirements, including double glazing for most new homes, were introduced from 31 October 2007. These requirements were implemented in stages to allow industry and consumers to adjust to the changes.
New Zealand has been split into three zones, according to climatic conditions, to allow for the staged introduction of the changes. This is because energy efficiency measures, such as double glazing, are already common in new homes in the colder parts of the country.
Zone 1: Auckland and Northland – changes applied from 30 September 2008.
Zone 2: The North Island; excluding Northland, Auckland, the Central Plateau (Taupo and Ruapehu Districts, and the northern part of Rangitikei District) – changes applied from 30 June 2008.
Zone 3: The Central Plateau, the South Island and Stewart Islands – changes applied from 31 October 2007.
More information about double glazing is available on the Smarter Homes website.
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