With Australian summers lasting longer, and the 2018-2019 summer being the hottest to date, more and more people are turning to passive cooling techniques as a means to cost-effectively cool their homes whilst minimising environmental impact. The Australian Window Association (AWA) estimates 40% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows and up to 87% of a home’s heat is gained through windows. According to the Australian Government’s Your Home guide to environmentally sustainable homes, there are a number of ways to minimise heat gain in your home. These include improving the efficiency of your home’s envelope by shading windows, walls and roofs from direct solar radiation, and using lighter coloured roof materials to reflect heat. Harnessing natural sources of cooling is one of the most effective ways to keep temperatures down in your home and the most important element of passive cooling is air movement. Free flowing air increases evaporation, decreases humidity and carries heat out of a building. This can be achieved by well-designed openings (windows, doors and vents) and unrestricted breeze paths. Cooling requirements typically peak in late afternoon or early evening, and this is when cooling breezes naturally occur. Maximizing the flow of breezes is an essential component of passive design. Crimsafe screens have undergone a range of energy efficiency testing and have been shown to improve the energy efficiency of a window by up to 53%. They are designed to keep harsh UV rays out, whilst allowing fresh air to flow freely inside your home. With this summer’s sweltering heat behind us, now is the perfect time to prepare for next summer!
