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Liveable Home – Double Glazed Windows

December 7, 2014 @ 21:39 By Gavin Webber 10 Comments

We think our new double glazed windows are amazing!

This is probably no surprise to a lot of you who live in the northern hemisphere, but down under, double glazing is not the norm.  In fact, here in Australia, it is a rarity.  Our building codes do not require them to be installed in residential buildings, which I believe is a massive regulatory stuff up.  Due to our hot climate, I think they should be mandatory.

Double Glazing

New double glazed units at front of our home

Since we had our north facing windows replaced and had double glazed uPVC units installed a couple of months ago, our north facing rooms have been warm on cold days, and cool on hot ones.  The difference in temperature from what these rooms used to be like is just incredible.  Combine that with the ceiling insulation top-up. our home is now very comfortable and has a stable temperature inside most of the time.

We had our glazing units installed by Eco Home Solutions who were professional.  We wanted a sliding half at the top so that we could let the cool evening breeze flow through the house, as we had previously with the older windows.  They had this window profile, so we proceeded with the installation of a four windows.  Like any renovation work, we did come across a couple of issues which we usually expect.

Old Single Glazed Unit

Old Single Glazed Unit

We found that the fly screens that were initially installed were a little too small and moths were able to squeeze through the gap when the window was open.  After a quick phone call, the team installed new screens the next day that were snug and tight.  I must say that Kim and I were very impressed with Eco Home Solutions’s customer service.  They bent over backwards to fix any issues as they went along.

New Double Glazed Units

New Double Glazed Units

The other issue was that they accidentally left out the lock, so they swapped out the window handles by manufacturing a new frame in the same day.  They sprung into action as soon as we pointed it out, and I could tell that it was no mean feat because they stopped production at the factory and made ours up as number 1 priority.  I kid you not.

I couldn’t recommend this installer enough because their customer service was second to none.  I would say they are on-par with ecoMaster who installed our insulation.  Manny, our sales rep, even brought Kim flowers when he discovered that her mum had passed away.  I believe it was a genuine gesture, which you don’t see very often these days.

So what is double glazing, and what is so special about it?  Well for the uninitiated, it is a window unit that has two panes of glass with the air gap between them filled with inert Argon gas.

This gap prevents heat transfer between the inside and outside, therefore increasing thermal insulation properties of the windows.  In addition to this thermal barrier, it also prevents the majority of sound from passing through the glass.  This added bonus of double glazing is often overlooked, and we have been amazed at how quiet the northern rooms are since installation.

Our new bedroom double glazed window unit

Our new bedroom double glazed window unit

Now because the difference is so dramatic, we have noticed that the southern rooms are noticeably hotter on warmer days, which is a bit of an issue.  One of the southern rooms is Kim’s office and craft room, which has a very big glass sliding door in it which leads to the swimming pool.  This single glazed unit is letting in so much heat, that this will be our next priority.

Fortunately we do not have to get the door replaced.  We are going to get secondary glazing installed which is a lot cheaper than the full double glazed units.  To install it, they remove the glazing, and then slot in a double glazed unit with additional frame into the old glazing groove.

Anyway, we are saving up our pennies to afford the rest of double glazing, but before that we will get the place professionally draught proofed.

Front of house double glazed windows

Front of house double glazed windows

So there you have it.  Double glazing is worth the expense in my books.  If you are renovating or building, then check out double glazing.  You will not regret your decision.

How many of you have retrofitted double glazing in your home, or have recognised the benefits when building from scratch.  I would love to hear some of your stories via comment.

We are looking forward to our liveable home this summer, even in extreme heat.

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Filed Under: cooling, energy efficiency, Heating, Sustainable Living

Liveable Home – Ceiling Insulation Top Up

September 28, 2014 @ 22:11 By Gavin Webber 13 Comments

Our comfortable home transformation is nearly complete.  We now have thermally efficient ceiling insulation!  Boy, does it make a difference.

So let me take you on a ceiling insulation top up journey.

A while back we booked a thermal assessment for our home with ecoMaster, a local company who operate out of Gisborne.  They suggested that we needed to top up our ceiling insulation as the blown cellulose pulp (aka pulped newspaper) was not up to the job.  We kind of new that, because whenever I had ventured into the roof space, I noticed that there were always varying depths of the pulp on top of the ceiling plaster board.

So, we saved our pennies and booked the installation.

ecoMaster

The team from ecoMaster arrived on time as promised, and the two gents, Garth and Alex were nice blokes who knew their stuff.  Funnily enough, they were just like us; green.

The product they used was called GreenStuf.  It is made from recycled PET bottles.

IMG_0864

It also does not contain any formaldehyde which is sometimes used as a binder to hold the fibres together.  It is also made in Australia, so we are supporting local businesses.

ceiling insulation

Pretty cool stuff.  We love the fact ecoMaster uses products that are made from recycled materials.  When installed correctly, it provides an insulation value of R2.5.

gaps in ceiling insulation

The gents were kind enough to take some before and after photos for us while they were crawling around the roof space.  They even found some areas that were void of insulation completely.  No wonder we had rooms that were hot in summer.

Insulation 1

Some of the spaces were fairly tight, so they certainly did a great job at fitting the stuff.  During their brakes, Garth and Alex learnt about all the cool things we do to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and I even gave them a tour.  They both talked about how they incorporate simple and sustainable living in their own lives.  It was very refreshing to talk to them both.

Insulation 2

Closer to the edge of the eaves, they found more areas that were void of blown pulp.  I don’t know how they crawled in there, but they covered up the gaps.

Bare extractor fan fitted with Top Hat

Bare extractor fan fitted with Top Hat

Also there was a massive gap around the bathroom extractor fan, so they fitted a cover which is known as a top hat.  It has two flaps that rise up when the fan is turned on.  You can see that the gap is no more and the insulation is nice and tight around the top hat.

Downlight Mitt within insulation

As for the downlight mitts that were installed a few weeks back, the insulation was able to be placed right up next to it.  No more gaps around the light fittings, and no more heat ingress through these ceiling holes.

So did it work?  Well today was proof that it did.  It was a unseasonally warm spring day at 28°C (82.4 F).  The inside temperature stayed a comfortable 22°C all day.  Additionally, a few days ago it got down to 5°C in the morning and it was still a very comfortable 18°C inside without any heating (not that we have had any on all winter).

And the cost?  All up it was $2107 including installation.  Oh, and Kim gave them a few bars of soap.  Not because they were dirty, but because no one leaves our place without a home-made gift!  It is just the way we are.

We are due to have double glazing installed mid-October, so that should also reduce the insulation factor of the north facing rooms, which get the hottest in summer.  Looking forward to having a more comfortable home during our Angry Summer and to reducing our reliance on air-conditioning!  It should save us swags off our power bill.

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Filed Under: cooling, Heating, Sustainable Living Tagged With: Brass Monkey Challenge

Brass Monkey Challenge – Verdict

September 14, 2014 @ 19:22 By Gavin Webber 4 Comments

During the challenge we hoped that by not heating the house we would save a bit of money on the gas bill.  Surely it would reduce from the same period last year if we didn’t turn on the gas space heater.

So you can imagine my surprise when our gas bill arrived in the post and it was slightly higher than our winter bill last year!  A daily average of 80.24 MJ per day up from 75.46 MJ last winter.  WTF????

Gas bill graph

Hang on a minute, I thought, as I scoured over the details.  There has to be something wrong; how can it be so?

Once I had calmed down, I managed to figure out that it was an estimate only.  I hate that.  The excuse on the bill was “dog” which is strange because the dogs are rarely outside during the day except for ablutions – especially during winter – and we usually wait out there with them.

Anyway, I quickly read the gas meter and worked out that we had actually only used a daily average of 36.77 MJ per day!  Success at last.  In reality, it cut my bill in half.

But here’s the rub.  Because I would have to pay to have meter re-read, we chose to pay the bill and get a credit next billing cycle.  There should be $75 coming my way.

So it was worthwhile in the end, financially.  We didn’t feel uncomfortable and if we did start to feel a chill, we put on another layer.  If you are interested in how we fared during over the winter, check out the other Brass Monkey Challenge posts.

Now that we know that we can survive without heating, next year will be easy.  Especially when in a few short days we will have extra insulation in the ceiling cavity and in mid October the north facing windows get replaced with double glazed units.  Not only will we have no issues keeping the place warm next winter, it will also keep out the heat in summer.

Looking forward to reporting our next liveable home update on Wednesday!

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Filed Under: cooling, Heating Tagged With: Brass Monkey Challenge

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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