All about Energy Efficient Windows
Having an energy efficient home is vitally important.
Aside from the environmental impact of increased carbon emissions, there are also your household bills to consider.
Nowadays, there’s a lot you can do to make your home more energy efficient and one improvement that will make a big difference is to replace your windows with energy efficient double glazing.
New technological advancements and cutting-edge design and manufacturing mean that double-glazed windows are now more energy efficient than ever.
But what is it that makes them so energy efficient? And what should you be looking for when replacing your new windows? This guide from BBL should answer some of your questions and give you a better understanding.
How do energy efficient windows work?
Double-glazing, as the name suggests, is constructed using two panes of glass. Heat escapes from your home through a combination of conduction and convection. Very simply put, the heat in your home warms the windows, which in turn warm the air outside. Adding a second or third pane of glass provides additional material for the heat to pass through.
Additional insulation is provided by the layer of air or gas between the panes of glass. When heat from your home passes through the first pane, it is trapped in the space between the glass, thereby keeping your home warmer for longer.
uPVC window frames are also designed to be energy efficient. The cavity within the frame is designed to trap warm air within your home, while maintaining structural integrity of the frame. Effective seals between the glass and the frames also prevent heat loss through escaping air.
What to look for when buying windows
The British Fenestration Rating Council developed a rating system to allow consumers quickly identify the efficiency of new windows. The ratings are impacted by three core criteria:
- Solar heat gain – the amount of heat coming into your home through sunlight
- Air loss – the amount of air lost through the frame
- Thermal loss – the amount of heat lost through conduction
Windows are rated from A++ at the top of the scale, down to E at the bottom. The most energy efficient windows therefore carry an A++ rating and will have the biggest positive impact on your energy bills and carbon footprint.
Other benefits of energy efficient windows
Aside from the reduction in energy bills and the environmental impact, there are a number of other benefits to double-glazing. These include:
Sound Proofing. As well as preventing heat from leaving your home, double-glazing is also more effective at preventing unwanted noise from entering your home.
Increased security. Advanced locking mechanisms and a robust construction mean double-glazed windows are particularly effective at preventing incursion.
A more comfortable home. Keeping that heat in your home makes it easier to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature. So you can keep toasty in the winter and cool in the summer.
Looking to replace your windows with a more energy efficient option? If you live in the London area, BBL Windows can help. See how much new windows will cost with our online window quote tool.