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Energy Efficient Operation of Window Coverings

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North, east and west facing windows

To save heating energy

Close window coverings at sunset to keep room heat in and open window coverings at sunrise to let warm sun in.

Heating Season March to December (*) (#)
Open your window coverings to let warm sun in at approx. 05:55 hs
Close your window coverings to keep room heat in at approx. 17:45 hs

(*) Overheating risk: During the heating season there is a period ( December ), where there may be some hot sunny days. Keep your window coverings closed on those days to prevent your home from overheating.

(#) Alpine / high-altitude regions: Some Local Government Areas in this Zone have high altitude/alpine regions. If you live in this part of the Zone: You are most likely to need heating all year.

Between April and September in Alpine / high-altitude regions:
▪ Open your window coverings to let warm sun in approx. 06:48 hs
▪ Close your window coverings to keep room heat in approx. 17:24 hs
Between October and May in Alpine / high-altitude regions:
▪ Open your window coverings to let warm sun in approx. 06:17 hs
▪ Close your window coverings to keep room heat in approx. 19:54 hs

To save cooling energy

Open window coverings at sunset to let room heat out and close window coverings at sunrise to keep hot sun out.

Cooling Season January and February
Close your window coverings to keep hot sun out at approx. 06:19 hs
Open your window coverings to let room heat out at approx. 19:48 hs

Unoccupied rooms:

If there are rooms you do not regularly occupy and you don’t want to operate the window coverings twice a day, use the WincovER heating and cooling rating to help you decide whether to leave the window covering open or closed.

Heating Season:

  • For window coverings with a heating rating of zero, leave them open.
  • For window coverings with a heating rating greater than zero, leave them closed.

Cooling Season:

  • For window coverings with a cooling rating of zero, leave them open.
  • For window coverings with a cooling rating greater than zero, leave them closed.

Automated window coverings:

If you have automated window coverings that are sensor or timer driven, program the controller according to its capabilities.

Sensor operation: if your controller is able to automatically open and close at sunrise or sunset, use that automatic function.

Timer operation: set your controller to operate the window coverings at clock times close to the average sunrise and sunset time over the season instead (these times are listed above). Reprogram at the start of the heating season and the cooling season indicated for your LGA, OR at the beginning of April and October if your climate needs heating or cooling all year and your controller does not automatically adjust for sunrise/sunset at your location.

If your controller can use additional weather service or sensor inputs to control the window coverings, make sure that they will automatically close on hot sunny days in the heating season to avoid your home overheating.

Periodically check that your window coverings are operating as expected.

Heavy shaded and south facing windows

To save heating energy

Close window coverings all day in the heating season to keep room heat in.

To save cooling energy

Window coverings with a cooling star rating greater than zero may also be effective in keeping unwanted heat out, even if sun does not directly strike the window. Close window coverings at sunrise to keep heat out and open at sunset to let room heat out.

Notes:

  • All times are approximate local times that have been averaged through the season and take into account daylight savings where applicable. However, note that the start and finish dates of daylight savings changes from year to year.
  • This schedule of operation may assist users in maximising the energy efficiency benefits that can be obtained with window coverings and operable external shading. Users must use their best judgment in adjusting the schedule of operation to suit the household needs for natural lighting and privacy for the building occupants, pets and indoor plants.
  • Every effort has been made in compiling the data presented in these operation schedules. Please note that there may be variations within a region due to altitude, orientation and other circumstances. The energy efficiency of a home will also be affected by building materials, insulation, type of doors, windows and glazing used and other factors.

Data Sources: