Thinking more clearly about new windows

 

With news that the Green Deal will be coming into effect at the end of January next year, many homeowners can be forgiven to be feeling a little overwhelmed by the vast array of different energy saving measures available under the scheme.

Right across the UK, homeowners that are looking to make use of the many benefitsthe Green Deal has to offer will no doubt be evaluating each measure available under the initiative and considering what would work most efficiently in their home.

As glass and glazing technology has advanced significantly in recent years, many homeowners may not necessarily be aware of the positive energy saving aspects of fitting new windows under the Green Deal initiative, so we thought it’d be a good idea to blog about the benefits of energy saving windows to help homeowners see things more clearly.

Despite any other insulation measures you may have in place in your home, the fact is that if your windows are not energy efficient you could be still be losing up to 26% of your home’s heat, negatively impacting the overall cost of your energy bills and undermining the other energy saving measures present within the property.

Many people are simply unaware that all single glazed and most double glazed windows suffer from this significant heat loss.  Replacing these windows will improve the appearance of a home as well as dramatically reducing its energy bills. This will also help to create a warmer, cosier and more energy efficient home.

Homeowners that are approved finance to get replacement windows under the Green Deal should ensure they specify high performance low emissivity (low-E) glass to ensure the best performance possible from their new windows.

Windows that are fitted with low-E glass cost around the same as those with standard glass and low-E glass can be fitted in any double or triple glazed window. A popular example of a low-E glass is Planitherm glass, which is manufactured by international glass manufacturer Saint-Gobain Glass. Planitherm works by drawing in heat and light from outside, and by reflecting radiated heat that’s already inside back into a room, rather than allowing it to escape out of the windows.  Once fitted, the thermal efficiency and solar gain properties of this type of glass can make a home less prone to cold spots and drafts – reducing heat loss by up to 50% compared to old-style windows.

Naturally, the reduction in heat loss means that energy bills are significantly reduced too – in fact, fitting low-E glass with a high performance window profile can result in savings of up to £341[1] per year.

When replacing old windows, it’s key that a quality installation of the new windows takes place. A poorly fitted window can reduce its performance so getting a professional fitter to carry out a quality job is vital. The great news about the Green Deal is that all installers will be independently assessed and verified, so homeowners can have peace of mind that their new windows will perform to their optimum standard. To find a local accredited installer, visit Planitherm’s Installer Network.

This article was written by Craig Dodsworth, residential market manager at Saint-Gobain Glass.  Planitherm is the UK’s most energy efficient glass.

[1]Based on a gas-heated, semi-detached house. Figure calculated based on 28% saving on average household energy bill of £1200 , according to The Energy Saving Trust. Savings rise up to £478 for a detached property

 

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