If you’re looking to make your home more energy efficient, consider replacing your old single-pane windows with double-glazed ones. This will reduce the amount of heat lost, making your home more comfortable. It’s also more cost-effective. You could save up to PS50 a year for a mid-terrace house or PS90 for a detached property. Considering all the benefits of this type of window, however, you may want to take into account the cost of replacement before deciding.
As well as being more efficient, windows are also an important part of your heating system. For example, a new double-glazed window will save around a quarter of your central heating bills. Alternatively, if you already have old windows, you can use some of the other methods listed below to improve the performance of your existing frames.
Firstly, you should look into the quality of the glazing you choose. If you’re replacing windows, consider getting them inspected by an experienced specialist. A badly fitted window can cause cold spots and air leaks. You can even add extra insulation to your room by installing thick curtains.
As you may be aware, windows can absorb heat from the sun, but they can also lose some of that heat through conduction and radiation. This is where the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) steps in. They grade windows by their “G” value – a measure of how much heat is blocked from the outside. The higher the number, the more effective the glazing.
The U-value is another measurement of the thermal transmittance of your windows. This is the combined U-value of all the parts of your window, including the frame and glass. You can find the U-value of a double-glazed window using the table below. The table is based on information from English Heritage. It’s estimated that the average double-glazed window loses about half of its heat through conduction and radiation.
The best way to achieve this is by using non-metallic materials. These can include glass fibre, polysulphide seals and structural foam. You should also consider choosing a product that has a reflective e-coating. The coating is designed to reflect some of the heat back into the property. The e-coating also helps to prevent the transfer of heat.
Finally, a window with an air bubble can actually do a better job of blocking heat. This is because an air bubble helps to slow the transfer of heat. This is known as the “thermal window.” Similarly, a spacer bar is a material between the panes of glass. It can be made of metal, aluminium or fibre. It is usually about 6mm to 20mm in size, and can be considered the miniscule of the windows. It does, however, represent a small contribution to overall heat loss.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of energy efficient glazing, contact an experienced window installer. This will ensure that your new windows are installed correctly. It will also keep your heat in, and your energy bills down.
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