The rising cost of energy is on everyone’s minds – and for good reason.
Even with household energy bills now frozen at £2,500, there’s no doubt that most of us will be worse off this winter, with those living in older, poorly insulated properties paying the highest prices.
To prepare, most people will be looking to lower their bills by reducing consumption, putting the heating on less frequently, for shorter lengths of time, and at a lower temperature.
But there are other methods you could use besides focusing on the thermostat.
If sitting by the window means you need to bundle up under the blankets, then your windows aren’t doing their job well.
But with a few simple steps, you can easily increase the insulation power of your home’s windows.
Apply window caulk and weatherstrips to prevent air leaks
Hot and cold air can enter your home through spaces between the glass, window sash, and window frame. Caulking and weatherstripping, however, are inexpensive and easy solutions to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
If the areas near your windows feel draughty, then you’ll likely need to seal them.
Apply weatherstripping to areas that can handle friction and weather changes, and apply caulk on the sides and joints of your window frame and other window areas that are stationary.
Add blinds, shades, and draperies to block drafts
Whether you prefer blinds, shades, or draperies in your home, one thing’s for sure – all can improve your window’s energy efficiency.
Combining draperies and either blinds or shades maximises the prevention of heat loss in the winter and sun protection in the summer. Not to mention, you can open all of these options to let sunlight in for warmth when it’s cold and close it up if it’s too hot outside.
Upgrade or repair your window frames
Timber window frames are especially prone to decay and damage over time, making it important that you have your window frames inspected regularly for signs of wear.
An old window frame can lead to air seepage that makes for much higher energy bills, so you’ll want to repair or replace window frames quickly if there is a problem.
While these methods do help somewhat, it’s never been more important to properly insulate our homes – and replacing old draughty windows with double glazing is one of the most cost-effective ways to do this.
Why double glazing?
Typically, around 18% of heat lost through our homes occurs through windows – meaning those with single glazing or poorly fitted double glazing will be paying the highest prices to keep warm.
With a single glazed window, one glass pane serves as the barrier between your home and the outdoors, while double glazing uses two panes, as well as a layer of air for additional insulation.
This is also the case for the window frame itself – unlike single glazing, double glazed window frames provide more space to include an insulating framework.
Essentially, double glazing is effective because while glass is a good conductor of heat, air is not. The air pocket between the two panes of glass therefore creates a seal against the outdoors, reducing the transfer of heat.
Double glazed windows are also filled with argon gas – and while this may slightly increase the cost of a new window, it does improve energy ratings in the long run.
How much could I save?
There’s no question that replacing windows will make a huge difference to heat retention – but by how much could they actually keep the bills down?
According to a recent government report, by installing double glazing in entirely single-glazed houses, a homeowner living in a detached home could save up to £155 a year. Those living in a semi-detached property could save up to £110, those in a mid-terrace up to £85, while bungalow residents could save up to £75 a year.
At Global Windows, all our window styles are A-rated for energy efficiency, meaning our customers will benefit from a warmer, more comfortable home, while saving on energy bills.
We also offer our windows with a triple glazed option by adding a third pane of glass into the window unit, maximising a home’s thermal performance even further.
Invest today
With energy prices set to go through the roof in coming months, it’s vital that homeowners are prepared, and investing now in quality double glazing is an important step in avoiding those soaring bills.
It’s something that could potentially save you hundreds of pounds, which during the current cost of living crisis, goes a long way.
If you’re a Yorkshire homeowner and you’re looking to replace your windows with more energy efficient ones and save on your energy bills, look no further than Global Windows.
Get in touch with a member of our expert team today and we’ll be able to book you a consultation to offer you a free, no-obligation quote. You can contact us by either giving us a call on 0800 610 1234 or by contacting us online.
