Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 May 14, 2012 9:36 pm There is a bit of complexity in this heating and cooling stuff, we feel like we almost need a consultant. Im trying to work out which options provide the greatest savings in heating and cooling. The plan: * Build a double storey house facing North East, back of the house faces South West. Living areas and bedrooms are on the West (hot) side. The house is 32 squares. * Put insulation in the walls and roof (standard stuff) * No cathedral or elevated ceilings * LED down-lights all round The options (help!) 1. Ducted reverse cycle air con has been built into our tender(Daikin 4 zone) . The other half prefers ducted but I prefer the idea of multiple splits as we are a family or 3 (4 soon hopefully), and really only the rear of the house (west facing) will need cooling most in summer. If we drop the ducted we save $4,500 maybe and can sink into the below options. 2. Solar hot water vs solar panels for generic use. We have only budgeted $3K for SHW. 3. Insulate West wall windows with solar protect stuff and/or heavy blinds. 4. Double glaze other windows such as North facing? If people were to prioritise 1-4 which would they choose? Re: We almost need a bloody energy consultant! 2May 15, 2012 2:59 pm Hi there, This is how I'd prioritize: 1. Ducted A/C, as you have zones, you can turn on only the zones you need. Ducted might cost more but for a new house, I think it's a must 2. Insulate West windows 3. Solar HWS (Solar power to reduce electricity I agree, but for hot water? I'm not sure I'm convinced it gives enough hot water on cold nights). We use Instant Gas HWS and it's perfect and hot 4. Double glaze North (Is that necessary? The Northern Sun is the most comfortable, why block it) Hope this helps Good luck Re: We almost need a bloody energy consultant! 4May 15, 2012 3:23 pm jimnsal Hi there, This is how I'd prioritize: ... 4. Double glaze North (Is that necessary? The Northern Sun is the most comfortable, why block it) Hope this helps Good luck Sorry, but this is incorrect. Double glazing has no impact on solar heat gain... unless you add low-E in one panel. Double glazing insulates like a blanket, keeping conducted heat in. After normal wall & ceiling insulation, double glazing is the next biggest leak and accounts for up to 80% of heat loss in insulated homes. So double glaze everything and consider adding low-E to West and North facing windows. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: We almost need a bloody energy consultant! 5May 15, 2012 7:31 pm "After normal wall & ceiling insulation, double glazing is the next biggest leak and accounts for up to 80% of heat loss in insulated homes. So double glaze everything and consider adding low-E to West and North facing windows." Dont you mean windows account for up to 80% of heat loss (not double glazing?) im confused! Re: We almost need a bloody energy consultant! 6May 16, 2012 12:00 pm glendenningj "After normal wall & ceiling insulation, double glazing is the next biggest leak and accounts for up to 80% of heat loss in insulated homes. So double glaze everything and consider adding low-E to West and North facing windows." Dont you mean windows account for up to 80% of heat loss (not double glazing?) im confused! Yes, he means single glazed windows account for up to 80% heat loss. Re: We almost need a bloody energy consultant! 7May 17, 2012 8:45 am glendenningj "After normal wall & ceiling insulation, double glazing is the next biggest leak and accounts for up to 80% of heat loss in insulated homes. So double glaze everything and consider adding low-E to West and North facing windows." Dont you mean windows account for up to 80% of heat loss (not double glazing?) im confused! Yes, sorry... thanks for pointing that out... Single Glazed windows account for up to 80% of heat loss when a house is well insulated. Thanks Andy Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110586 10 years ago was a different software than we use now. it has had a lot of changes over the past years. Improvments to the software and changes to how Nathers models need… 8 1522 Hello It is good to have a planned bathroom reno to suit your budget and design, living for 10 years I think you need a bathtub 4 10379 |