BUILDING INDUSTRY A guide to making your home more comfortable with Energy Efficient Windows The Star Rating Program for Residential Windows in Australia ORDINARY WINDOWS Beautiful windows are possibly the most complex and interesting elements in the fabric of our homes. They provide light and fresh air, and offer views that connect our interior living spaces with the great outdoors. However, ordinary windows can also represent a major source of unwanted heat gain in summer and significant heat loss in winter. ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS Today, remarkable new framing and glazing materials have changed the energy performance of windows in a radical way. Energy efficient window will make your home more comfortable, dramatically reduce your energy costs and help to create a brighter, cleaner, healthier environment.
Window Energy Rating Scheme® Australasian Window Council Inc.	WINDOW ENERGY RATING SCHEME (WERS) WERS rates the energy impact of residential windows in housing anywhere in Australia. With up to 40% of a home's energy for cooling or heating being lost or gained through windows, improving their thermal performance reduces energy costs and Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of the scheme is to help consumers evaluate the relative energy performance of different types of windows and then make an informed decision suited to their needs. WERS is a program implemented by the Australasian Window Council with the support of the Australian Greenhouse Office and is underpinned by a third party NATA Accredited Inspection Service. Independent of any one manufacturer, WERS is a fair, rigorous and credible system for rating the energy performance of windows.

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The AWA strongly recommends the use of IGMA rated insulated glass units to all window manufacturers so as to minimise the possibility of product liability claims which could arise because of insulated glass failures. Other markets, particularly the UK, experienced up to 50% failure rate when energy requirements took effect in the early 90's. Thermal insulated glass products provide a 10 year warranty and have embraced the need to assist window manufacturers to become WERS compliant. As WERS licence is available to any window manufacturer whose products comply with AS2047. Information and application forms are available from the AWA. Ian Frame, Executive Director.