Home Design Guides: Energy efficiency, Climate control

• Reduces heat transfer very effectively
• Excellent acoustic insulation
• Costs much more than single glazing

• Improves solar and thermal control
• Reduces UV transmission
• Relatively expensive
• Can reduce solar heat gain in winter

Energy efficiency is a genuine and serious concern when it comes to cooling. Some systems use far more than others - find out what's right for your needs.

Air conditioners come with labels these days that indicate how efficiently they're able to cool (and to heat, if they're reverse-cycle models). Find out more about these labels and what to look for.

Finding the right cooling systems for your home is all about how your house is designed, how efficient you want it to be, where you live and how much you want to spend.

Part of establishing how well your home fares in terms of passive design is to establish how 'tight' it is. Learn more about how to test how much air leaks from your home.

Underfloor heating is a popular heating option for dwellings that experience colder climates. Learn about the different types of underfloor heating available.