Most homes in the United Kingdom have been using double glazed windows to create energy efficient homes. The use of energy-efficient windows with double glazing has been extremely popular in Europe for good reason. They were initially designed for harsh winters in Canada and Scandinavia to prevent heat loss from homes and protect people from the cold weather outside.
How Double Glazing Improves the Energy Efficiency of Your Home
As the name double glazing suggests, these windows are made up of two panes of glass. Thus, they’re able to provide better insulation than standard windows or windows with single glazing. Regular windows do not have any layers or air pockets in them. Thus, they don’t provide good insulation like double-glazed windows do.
The glass is also treated to improve the energy performance of your home. Most manufacturers fill the air gap with an inert gas. This helps reduce significant heat loss. If you minimise heat loss, you reduce the amount of heat needed to keep your home warm which in turn means you save on your heating bill. This is why double glazing has been extremely popular in the United Kingdom.
The Hidden Impact of Installing Energy Efficient Windows with Double Glazing
Installing double glazed windows can be one of the best steps to making your home more energy efficient and to reduce your carbon footprint. Unfortunately, there are still many architects who’re yet to realize how much your home’s energy performance depends on the windows.
Although regular glass windows are great for letting in sunlight, they’re terrible insulators. They also do little to block the sun’s extreme heat during the summer season. Windows can easily lose a lot of heat through the glass. Heat can also leak around the edges of the window frame, which isn’t likely to occur when you have upvc windows or double glazed windows that are fitted as a sealed unit.
If your house has more windows, it will require more energy for both cooling and heating. Moreover, if these windows are placed on the west or south side of your home in direct sun, they will easily turn your house into a toaster oven during the summer season. Windows can leak energy in a lot of different ways, some of these ways are:
- Air leakage around and through the frame
- Heat transfer through the glass
- No thermal break to prevent thermal bridging through your window frame, especially metal frames
- Radiant heat from sunlight
Improve Thermal Efficiency to Save on Your Energy Bills
According to a report released by the Energy Saving Trust, over 25% heat loss in residential properties is because of windows. Double glazing can effectively reduce heat loss by over 15% than single glazed windows. A-rated double glazing and better insulation can save a lot of your hard earned money on utility bills.
In addition to this, double glazed windows also allow for greater heating through the sun’s energy. This means the heat from the sun can be adequately trapped and the heat remains within your home because of thermal insulation properties of these double and triple glazing windows. This means you need depend much less on heating your home through only your central heating and ultimately, this can reduce your energy bills without compromising on the comfort of your home.
If your house has been insulated for floors, the roof and the walls, it also needs glazed windows. Without double glazed windows, you may have many cold areas around your windows and this could potentially result in excess condensation and cold draughts in your home.
Worried About Installing New Windows in Your Home?
Although double glazed windows can be more expensive than single glazed windows, in the long run, the secondary glazing can help you save money on your heating bill. The window energy ratings you’d receive from opting for double glazing can be a worthwhile investment for your home.
If you are concerned about installing new windows, do not be. The extra weight of these windows is not a problem with especially when vertical glazing is involved and with proper installation, the lintels and walls will be able to carry the additional weight.
If you want double glazing for a large skylight or patio door, you may have to adjust the frame to provide support to additional weight of the glass. For better insulation and energy performance, you should always choose a reputed manufacturer of double glazed windows.
Give us a call at The Advanced Group today on 08000 502 502 to find out more and to get a FREE consultation with a helpful member of our team or simply complete the enquiry form on this page to get a quote from us.