Energy conscious building with CertainTeed PVC Windows 
Although the bookstores and websites are full of energy-conscious building advice, if you really want to get a feel for the subject, you just can't beat the power of talking to people. Last week I joined in a "Housing Energy Solutions" seminar along with 30 or so couples who were in the planning stages of their new homes. Most were wily, experienced owners, sick of living in draughty, rattly post-war houses. As one determined woman put it to me, "This time we're gonna do it right!" If you've ever wondered why you can't stomach current fashions in housing, this seminar will show you the technical reasons for your gut reaction. A fast paced slide-show starts with photos of flawed modern houses, while the presenter demonstrates how they literally soak up heat in summer and blow out warmth in winter. Suddenly you know what to avoid. Then you learn the energy saving basics. You need to align your house correctly on your block, insulate it for year-round comfort and ventilate it for total control of your relationship with the weather outside. By combining effective double-glazing with carefully angled shading from eaves or pergolas, your northerly rooms will be shaded in summer but bask in winter sunlight, so your home looks after its own climate control. Many energy conscious homeowners live comfortably with neither heating in winter nor mechanical cooling in summer. The audience paused quietly to ponder the bottom line: an energy efficient house can cost less to own because it pays for itself in energy saved. Afterwards we gathered over a cuppa, bombarding the presenters with individual questions about different sites, styles and materials, right down to details like carports, plants and security. The topic is endless but everyone found the basics easy to grasp. The seminars are presented monthly by the Energy Conscious Housing Council at the Melbourne office of Certainteed Double Glazing in Warrigal Rd, Cheltenham, usually on a Wednesday evening or Saturday afternoon. Tickets are free to bona fide home builders but places are limited. Book on 03 9584 5388. 
For further information contact:
CertainTeed PVC Windows
Address: 359 Warrigal Road, Cheltenham, VIC, 3192
Phone: 1800 062 1...
Fax: 03 9584 5....
Web: www.certainteed.com.au
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