The peak body representing the Australian glass and glazing industry has called on federal and state governments to move towards increasing the energy efficiency of new homes mandated under the Building Code of Australia.
According to Dennis Loudoun, President, Australian Glass & Glazing Association , a commitment to improve the energy efficiency of new Australian homes was made by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). COAG have recently resolved to build on the Energy Efficient Homes component of the federal government's stimulus package.
The COAG communique includes a commitment to examine and resolve an increase in the energy efficiency provisions of the Building Code of Australia from 5 stars to 6 stars, nationally by 2010.
The additional cost of building 6 Star energy efficient homes is around 1% of the total building costs, which is largely off-set by recent falls in mortgage interest rates, and quickly recouped through lower energy bills.
The 6 star homes can be easily and economically achieved with high technology energy efficient windows. After installing adequate insulation, a cost effective way of improving home energy efficiency is by fitting modern energy efficient windows. In an average insulated Australian home, 90% of solar heat gain and 50% of heat loss is through ordinary windows and glass.
A recent study conducted by Professor John Bell of Queensland University of Technology found that energy efficient windows installed in a range of Queensland housing styles and climates can raise the operational energy efficiency of homes by 1.5 to 2.5 stars. This was consistent with findings from studies conducted in other climatic zones.