Comfortable Homes Year-Round — Without Wasting Energy
If you’ve ever woken up on a cold July morning in Sydney and dreaded getting out of bed, you’re not alone. While our climate is relatively mild, many homes still struggle to stay comfortable — not just in winter, but during hot summers and those humid in-between months too.
At Brands Built, we’re big believers that a comfortable home shouldn’t rely on heaters blasting in winter or air conditioners running flat-out in summer. With the right design choices and a few smart upgrades, you can keep your home comfortable all year round, while using less energy and lowering running costs.
Here are some practical, proven tips from the team at Brands Built.
1. Seal Up the Gaps — Comfort Starts With Airtightness
Gaps around doors, windows, and floors let warm air escape in winter and hot air creep in during summer. Even small draughts can make your home harder (and more expensive) to heat and cool.
What to do:
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Install weather seals around external doors and windows
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Seal gaps around skirtings, exhaust fans, and service penetrations
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Use door snakes or draught excluders where needed
Brands Built tip: Airtightness improves performance in every season. Seal first, then insulate — not the other way around.
2. Insulation Is Key — And It’s Not Just for Winter
Insulation works both ways: it slows heat escaping in winter and reduces heat entering your home in summer. In Australian homes, the roof and ceiling alone can account for 25–35% of total heat loss or gain.
Understanding R-Values
R-Values measure resistance to heat flow — higher numbers mean better performance.
For Sydney’s climate zone:
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Ceilings: Aim for R4.0 or higher
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Walls: Typically R2.0–R2.8, depending on construction
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Floors: Important for suspended timber floors
Types of Insulation
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Bulk insulation (batts or blankets): Fibreglass, polyester, or wool
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Reflective insulation (sarking): Reflects radiant heat
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Combination systems: Best overall performance
BASIX requirements for new builds and major renovations set minimum insulation standards, but exceeding these minimums often delivers noticeable comfort gains.
Pro tip: If you’re upgrading in stages, start with ceiling insulation — it delivers the fastest return on investment.
3. Sarking — The Unsung Hero of Year-Round Comfort
Sarking is a reflective foil layer installed beneath roofing, within walls, and sometimes under floors. It acts as a secondary thermal and moisture barrier.
Why sarking matters:
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Reflects radiant heat away in summer
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Helps retain warmth in winter
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Reduces condensation risk under roofs and in walls
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Improves overall performance of bulk insulation
When combined with insulation batts, sarking significantly improves comfort across all seasons.
Brands Built tip: Continuous sarking — especially at junctions and penetrations — is critical. Gaps reduce effectiveness.
4. Roof Ventilation — Balance Is Everything
Roof ventilation often causes confusion. Some homeowners assume sealing roof vents improves efficiency — but this can actually cause overheating and moisture issues.
In winter:
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Warm air naturally rises toward the roof
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Insulation must sit at the ceiling plane to prevent heat loss
In summer:
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Roof spaces can exceed 60°C
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Ventilation helps flush hot air and reduce heat transfer into living spaces
The key is controlled ventilation, paired with continuous insulation and sarking.
Common misconception: Completely blocking roof vents traps heat and moisture — leading to mould, timber damage, and reduced insulation performance.
5. Roofing Systems — Colour and Material Matter
Your roof plays a major role in year-round energy performance.
Roof Colour
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Lighter colours reflect solar heat — ideal for summer comfort
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Darker colours absorb heat — may assist winter warmth but increase summer load
Roof Materials
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Metal roofing: Heats and cools quickly — needs good insulation and sarking
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Tile roofing: Higher thermal mass — slower heat transfer
The right combination depends on orientation, insulation levels, and ventilation design.
6. Windows — Open or Close? Timing Is Everything
Windows are one of the biggest sources of heat loss and heat gain, but they can also work for you when used correctly.
Seasonal window strategy:
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Winter: Open north-facing windows during the day, close coverings before sunset
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Summer: Close windows and blinds during hot days, open at night to purge heat
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Mid-seasons: Use cross-ventilation to reduce reliance on air conditioning
Thermal curtains, pelmets, and well-fitted blinds dramatically improve window performance year-round.
7. Solar Panels and Air Conditioning — A Smart Pairing
Reverse-cycle air conditioning is one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool a home — especially when paired with solar panels.
Why it works:
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Solar offsets daytime cooling loads in summer
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Efficient heating in winter at 18–20°C maintains comfort without excess energy use
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Reduced reliance on grid power lowers running costs
Under BASIX, solar systems often contribute toward meeting energy targets, especially when integrated with efficient heating and cooling systems.
Pro tip: Size your solar system and air conditioning together — not independently.
8. Design It Right From the Start — Passive Design + BASIX
If you’re renovating or building new, passive design makes the biggest difference of all.
This includes:
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Correct orientation for winter sun and summer shading
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Thoughtful window placement
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Appropriate insulation and glazing
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Compliance with BASIX thermal comfort requirements
At Brands Built, we design homes that work with Sydney’s climate — not against it.
Comfortable Homes, All Year Long
Staying comfortable shouldn’t mean constantly adjusting thermostats or dreading your next energy bill. With good airtightness, proper insulation, smart roof design, and efficient systems powered by solar, your home can perform better in every season.
At Brands Built, we focus on climate-responsive design and construction — creating homes that perform better, feel better, and cost less to run, all year round.
If you’re planning a renovation or new build, now’s the perfect time to think beyond just winter — and design for comfort in every season.