Did you know that most of your home’s heat is lost through your windows?
In fact, up to a staggering 18% of your property’s energy escapes through your windows, and with rising energy prices and expense of heating bills, it’s more important than ever to achieve energy efficiency and cut those costs wherever you can.
How is heat lost through windows?
For most houses, windows typically account for 18% of the total heat lost, and around two thirds of this is due to the radiation through the glazing.
This occurs when the inner panes of glass absorb the heat generated from inside, and is transmitted to the cooler outside pane via conduction.
Air leakage tends to be the next biggest contributor, especially from windows with poor insulation.
The remaining heat loss is due to heat convection through cavities and poor heat conduction through the window frame itself.
What are energy efficient windows?
Energy efficient windows come in a range of frame materials and styles, with the energy efficiency of a window depending on how well these materials stop heat from passing through, as well as how much sunlight travels through the glass and how little air can leak around the window.
Energy efficient windows are made of two or three panes of glass which are sealed in a single unit, surrounded by a frame made from either uPVC, aluminium, or timber.
What is double glazing?
When people think of energy-efficient windows, they often think of double glazing. This is a window with a layer of argon gas sandwiched between two panes of glass. Double glazing improves the thermal efficiency of single glazed windows, which only use a single pane of glass to retain heat.
- Double glazed windows have two panes of glass with a gap in between, usually of about 16mm.
- Triple glazed windows have three panes of glass and two gaps, often making them better at insulating than double glazed windows.
The gaps between the glass panes are filled with air, or an inert gas such as argon, which is completely sealed, creating an even more energy efficient window.
The energy efficiency of single glazed windows compared to double or triple glazing is as much as 4.6 to 0.99 W/m2K. By installing a window with a low U-value you will have a noticeable difference in room comfort and lower heating bills.
How much money do energy efficient windows save?
When it comes to reducing energy bills, new windows are one of the best ways to make your home energy efficient.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, by installing A-rated double glazed windows into an entirely single-glazed semi-detached gas heated property, you could save up to £195 a year, and if you install A++ rated double glazed windows to replace single glazing, you could save up to £235 a year.
What is a good window energy rating?
To choose the most energy efficient window, look for the BFRC rating .
Provided by the British Fenestration Rating Council, the Window Energy Rating (WER) is a colourful, easy to read label that showcases the overall energy efficiency of a complete window, from the frame to the glass, rating on a scale from A++ down to G.
The performance of the window takes into account a number of factors, including heat loss, solar gain, and air leakage.
For any window to be considered ‘energy saving’, it must be rated a C at the very least. The rating system provides consumers with a quick and easy way to identify whether a window offers high or low energy efficiency. Though A++ is the highest rating, it is quite rare and only awarded to windows demonstrating outstanding thermal efficiency.
How can Global Windows help you?
Installing energy efficient windows is one of the more accessible home improvements you can make that will make a considerable difference in energy consumption.
At Global Windows, we offer a wide range of uPVC replacement windows, including casement, sliding sash, tilt & turn, bay & bow, and Residence Collection windows.
All our window styles are A-rated for energy efficiency, meaning you’ll benefit from a warmer, more comfortable home, while saving money and lowering your carbon footprint.
For more inspiration and ideas on how to save energy, discover our long term home energy saving hacks to lower your bills, and read up on how you can save money on gas and electric.
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.
