When it comes to creating homes that are truly comfortable, energy-efficient, and future-ready, there’s one element that makes a bigger difference than many people realise: the windows.

New research from RMIT University, prepared for Sustainability Victoria, makes the case crystal clear. If we want to improve the performance of our homes across Victoria — cutting emissions, reducing bills, and enhancing wellbeing — upgrading our windows is a powerful place to start.

📖 Read the full report here:

👉 Upscaling High-Performance Windows in Victoria

Key Takeaways from the Research

The report highlights both the challenge and the opportunity in front of us:

• Up to 40% of heat loss and 87% of heat gain in Australian homes occurs through windows.
• Only 16% of new homes in Victoria currently install high-performance windows — well behind global best practice.
• If all new homes used Low-E double glazing, we could cut annual energy use by 32 Petajoules — that’s enormous.
• The benefits go beyond just saving energy: we’re talking lower bills, better indoor comfort, and even healthier homes.
• The industry is ready — but to scale up, we need more awareness, incentives, and education alongside strong regulations like the NCC 2022.

How We’re Already Leading the Way

At Reimagined Habitat, and through our sister company Net Zero Plus, this is more than just theory — it’s our everyday standard.

In every single home we build, we specify triple-glazed Salamander uPVC windows. Why?

Because they:

• Provide outstanding insulation and comfort
• Are durable, low-maintenance, and fully recyclable
• Contribute to a home that’s not just energy-efficient, but healthier, more comfortable, and built for the future

In fact, they play a huge role in helping us meet Passive House-level performance and deliver homes that are genuinely net zero in operation.

Why It Matters

This new research reinforces something we’ve always believed:

Windows are not just a design choice — they’re a health and sustainability decision.

Choosing better windows means fewer drafts, more stable indoor temperatures, lower emissions, and homes that feel better to live in. It’s a win for the environment and the people who call these homes their own.

But for this shift to become mainstream, we need more than just policy. We need more people — like you — asking the right questions, and demanding better standards in the homes we build today.

Ready to Build Better?

If you’re curious about how our high-performance windows and sustainable design approach can make a difference in your next home, we’d love to show you what’s possible.

📲 Explore our home designs or get in touch with our team today:

www.reimaginedhabitat.com.au

Because when we build smarter, we live better.