• April 4, 2019April 11, 2022
• By uniwinser
• 0 Comments

The Benefits Of Electric Window Controls You Weren’t Aware Of!

Electric window controls are fast becoming a staple in Brisbane architectural designs. But when manual and electric windows both have their advantages, what makes electric stand out? In this article, we take a look at the benefits of electric window controls beyond the commonly known ‘time-saving’ and ‘ease of use’ advantages. No matter the project, electric window controls provide a comprehensive range of benefits. Keep reading to discover a few benefits of electric window controls of which you may not be aware and why Queensland architects are incorporating them into their projects.

Smoke ventilation applications

Installing high-level windows with electric controls, in commercial buildings, schools, and churches, can have incredible advantages. For example, smoke ventilation applications can be incorporated into the controls allowing smoke to exit through high windows in the case of an emergency. This feature also increases the visibility for evacuations and aids first responders to gain access, identify the cause and extinguish the fire.

Failsafe battery backup

Of course, in the case of an emergency, electricity can be cut, compromising the electric window controls and subsequent smoke ventilation. But at Unique Window Services a failsafe battery backup, including a fire rated cable, can be installed to selected electric window controls. This means the windows can be remotely controlled, even if the mains power is lost.

Rain sensor

Picture this, you’re sitting at work, and you see the storm clouds rolling in. And then you remember, all of your windows have been left open. You know you’re going to go home and find a soaking mess somewhere in your house. But what if your windows knew that they needed to shut when hit by raindrops? Installing a rain sensor with electric window controls in your next project will wash your troubles away. Placed on the roof, a sensor will send a command to ‘close’ the controlled windows when a raindrop hits it. This signal will continue until the sensor pad is dry, and when it is, you will regain full control of the windows.

Passive ventilation

It goes without saying, hot air rises! And anyone who has lived through a Queensland summer understands how stuffy a home or building can get during the hot seasons. Electric window controls allow you to control ventilation with the touch of a button, and can even automate windows while you aren’t in the building! That’s right, electric window controls allow you to set a timer which will open your windows for a few hours overnight and you can also install electric blinds to keep light from coming in, as you can go to sites like https://newblinds.co.uk/electric-blinds to find good options for this. By opening the windows overnight, the building will air out and cool down. Imagine how much money your clients will save not having to cool down the building every morning!
Learn more about passive ventilation in this blog. And of course, the benefits just keep rolling, electric window controls have a long list of benefits and are fast becoming the go-to technology for Brisbane architects. If you want to discuss whether electric window controls are the right choice for your project, contact Unique Window Services today.

• February 4, 2019February 14, 2024
• By uniwinser
• 0 Comments

How to create cross ventilation in your home to keep cool this summer

Achieving optimum airflow throughout your home can be a challenge, especially in summer, but it’s worth the effort.
Once you’ve mastered natural ventilation techniques to cool down your house, you won’t be as reliant on your air conditioner. In turn, this means less expensive energy bills. However, if you do have an air conditioning system and your ac blowing hot air, you have to look for the most reliable and trustworthy experts, similar to the Hvac company in Olympia, WA, to help you fix the problem. If you have a problem like this, don’t hesitate to call pros like hvac columbus.

In this article, we outline how you can encourage cross ventilation, which is one of the most effective natural ventilation methods, in your house. You don’t need any fancy equipment to get started – just your windows and doors which you can buy online at https://bestaluminiumwindows.co.uk/!

How to create cross ventilation.

To begin, see which direction the breeze is flowing and then open the windows on that side of the room. Next, cross to the opposite side of the room and open the windows – or door to the outside, if there’s no window – on that side. This should create a current of air across the room, entering via the window on the side of the house exposed to the wind, and exiting through the other window or door opposite it, taking any hot or stale air lingering within the room with it. This is cross ventilation. Check here this new and useful salesforce software.

How to create cross ventilation when there’s no breeze.

If there is not a puff of wind to speak of, you can get the air moving in the right direction through your home with the assistance of a fan or two. If you have two pedestal fans, set one up at the window on the shady side of your room. Make sure the front of the fan is facing into the room. Place the second pedestal fan at the opposite window, with the front of the fan facing the outside. Turn them both on and the first fan at the inlet window should suck cool air into the room just like when adding an hvac system from newcastleairconditioning.co.uk. The second fan at the outlet window draws the current through the room and pushes any warm, stagnant air outside.

If you’re interested in having your very own air scrubber to clean your indoor air, talk to one of Air America’s experts today.

The best types of windows for cross ventilation.

If you have windows or doors on the opposite sides of the room from one another, you should be able to achieve cross ventilation. However, hot air rises, which means cross ventilation is far more effective when the window that the breeze is flowing through is opened at the bottom and the window at the opposite side of the room is opened at the top. According to experts like Knipp Roofing & Exteriors, this process encourages the warm air gathering at the roof to be pushed through the room to the outside. So what type of windows can be opened at both the top and the bottom? That would be double hung windows! Double hung windows allow you to change the configuration of your sashes according to the direction that the breeze is flowing so that you can always have cross ventilation in your home. For a holistic approach to home improvement, including flooring options that complement your design, consider consulting resin flooring cheshire specialists.

Natural ventilation for rooms with only one window.

Double hung windows utilise two moveable windows sashes so that you can have the window open at both the top and the bottom. Sash balances are the spring mechanisms that allow for the window sashes to move smoothly, one in front of the other. Double hung windows, along with the right tools for the best sealant finish, are particularly good for promoting natural ventilation in rooms that cannot achieve cross ventilation. In this instance, you can open both the bottom and the top of the double hung window and the cool air will enter through the lower opening, while the stagnant air escapes through the top. It isn’t quite as effective as cross ventilation, especially when there is a breeze, but it allows fresh air to enter the room and hot air to leave.

• February 4, 2019February 4, 2019
• By uniwinser
• 0 Comments

St Benedict’s College – cooling classrooms without aircon

St Benedict’s College is a regional, co-educational Catholic secondary school in the Moreton Bay suburb of Mango Hill.

The school, which was established in 2013, has been rapidly expanding and building new classrooms and teaching areas. We were able to successfully install energy efficient and easy-to-operate window control systems which will help the school cut down on their power bill while also ensuring classes are cool and comfortable.

Airconditioned rooms without the airconditioned price

As an expanding and relatively new secondary school, St Benedict’s College came to Unique Window Services with the request of installing window control systems for five new buildings. These window operating mechanisms would need to help the school be more energy efficient while also ensuring students and staff are comfortable. Ensuring energy efficiency required us to carefully analyse the placement, sun direction and design of the windows, and work closely with the school to make sure their needs were met. We decided a system of passive ventilation would be the best way to help the school keep cool without expensive air conditioning.

Cool and comfortable rooms to help with learning

Our expert window designers came up with the plan to install several sliding window control systems along the sides of the classroom. We also added high-level louvres over the sliding windows. These louvres allow hot air to escape the class without the usual windy draughts caused by cross-ventilation. This meant that students can work in peace and won’t have the wind blowing their papers across the room. On hot days, staff and students can open the sliding windows to bring a fresh breeze into the room. Through the use of a passive ventilation window control system, we were able to make sure students and staff can work comfortably, while also helping the school keep its energy bill as low as possible.

Does your building need a way to be more energy efficient while keeping your staff, residents, students or customers cool and comfortable? Talk to us today about installing passive-ventilation window control systems in your building! Contact our expert team for a quote, or browse our range of window control systems installation projects to see how we can help you.

• January 31, 2019January 31, 2019
• By uniwinser
• 0 Comments

How to create stack ventilation in your school, warehouse or sports centre

Let’s get one thing straight first. Stack ventilation, stack-effect ventilation and buoyancy ventilation are all the same thing. Unfortunately, someone out there decided to give this method of natural ventilation three different names, just to confuse the situation.

But no matter what you call it, stack ventilation can work wonders in bringing cool air into your property without even switching on the air conditioner. And who doesn’t want that in the throws of a Brisbane heatwave when electricity costs are through the roof? Speaking of things being through the roof, this is one of the main principles of buoyancy ventilation; the fact that hot air rises and can leave the building via high-set windows. In this article, we’re going to explore the process of stack-effect ventilation and how you can achieve it in your school, warehouse or sports centre by utilising high awning windows.

How does stack ventilation work?

As mentioned previously, stack ventilation is a form of natural ventilation, meaning that airflow can be achieved without the assistance of electrical devices such as air conditioners or fans. This is great news for your school or commercial property’s budget, and is also excellent for the environment! For this method of natural ventilation to work, however, the temperature inside your property and the temperature outside must be different.

Stack ventilation is sometimes also referred to as buoyancy ventilation because it relies on the natural buoyancy of air to encourage it to flow through a building. Hot air is not as dense as cold air, meaning that it is more likely to rise to the ceiling of your property. Opening high windows will allow the hot air to leave the building, encouraging more cold air to enter through lower-set windows. This cycle will continue, ventilating your building to cool it down and expel that stale, warm air! The best part? A breeze doesn’t even need to be flowing for stack-effect ventilation to occur! So you can enjoy fresh and clean air in your school, warehouse or sports centre even on those hot summer days.

Want to know how to make the most of natural wind power when it flows through your property? Read our blog on cross ventilation here!

How do high awning windows assist buoyancy ventilation?

So what types of windows will encourage stack ventilation in large buildings? High-set awning windows are often incorporated into the design of spacious rooms such as school halls, gyms and warehouses. High awning windows are secure, allow natural lighting, and protect the interior from the weather, even when the windows are opened. But they also have one more advantage; they’re particularly useful in expelling warm, used and musty air that has risen to the top of a room. There’s only one setback. They can be difficult to reach and challenging to operate, which may hamper your enthusiasm for utilising stack ventilation. This issue, however, can be rectified with our electric window controls.

How can I improve natural ventilation within my building with electric window controls?

The installation of electric window winders is the best way to take the grunt out of operating your high-set awning windows. No strenuous winding by hand or tall ladders required! Whole groups of high awning windows can be opened and closed with the press of a button, making achieving stack-effect ventilation easy. Fresh and cool air is vital to making sure your students or customers have comfortable studying, exercising and working conditions in your school, sports centre or warehouse. Keep temperatures and costs down by using electric awning windows to utilise stack ventilation.

Unique Windows are Brisbane’s leading supplier of electric window controls. We can enhance your building’s natural ventilation capabilities by installing electric window winders into your high awning windows. Contact us today for further information.

• October 23, 2018May 4, 2022
• By uniwinser
• 0 Comments

What are Sash Balances?

Sash balances are the nifty mechanisms that allow your double hung windows to glide up and down the frame effortlessly.

Wondering what double hung windows are? Not to worry! Many people shopping for windows for the first time are unsure of the range of configurations available.

While we won’t be going through the arch window today (sorry to disappoint), we will be explaining how a double hung window works, and why sash balances are an integral mechanism in their design. We’ll also look at the advantages of double hung windows, particularly their natural ventilation capabilities, and what types of buildings can benefit from installing them.

How do double hung windows work?

Double hung windows are sash windows that can be opened from both the top and the bottom. They slide vertically within the frame and can also often be tilted inwards or outwards for easier cleaning purposes. The bottom sash can be lifted, and the top sash can be lifted down to create better airflow.

What does the sash balance mechanism do?

Sash balances are the mechanisms installed on either side of the window sashes in a double hung window, allowing them to glide up and down smoothly. They’re often hidden inside the window frame so that you cannot see them at work. The most efficient type of sash balance is spiralled and allows each sash to be held in place whenever you open the window. In short, the robust spring mechanism in the sash balance keeps everything running smoothly while securely keeping your windows open!

What are the advantages of double hung windows?

The most significant advantage of double hung windows is that they promote natural ventilation, meaning improved airflow and less reliance on your air conditioner! Having your window open halfway at both the top and the bottom allows cool, fresh air to enter via the lower opening and hot, stale air to escape through the higher opening. This type of natural ventilation maintains a comfortable temperature indoors without having to switch on your air conditioner, which is always good news for your electricity bill!

It’s also super easy and quick to clean double hung windows by tilting them inwards so that you can reach every inch of the glass. No more grubby window panes interrupting your view of the outdoors!

What types of buildings can benefit from double hung sash windows?

Double hung windows are convenient, energy-saving and secure, so it’s no surprise that they’re used in a wide range of buildings, including residential homes, offices, schools, hospitals, sporting centres and apartment complexes. Anywhere that requires excellent airflow for a comfortable indoor experience. Larger buildings tend to utilise them to cut down on energy consumption.

How can I install sash balances?

The installation of sash balances is best left to an accredited sash window company. Ensuring that all of the mechanisms are installed correctly is vital to the efficiency of the window sashes. Unique Windows stock top-of-the-range sash balances for both aluminium and timber double hung windows. Whether you wish to install sash balances in new double hung windows, or replace the mechanisms in old double hung windows, we can help you! Contact us today to find out more about our services.