subject: Can upvc doors and windows really reduce your energy bills? [print this page] Can upvc doors and windows really reduce your energy bills?
With the recent massive increases in energy bills and more increases forecast, it's now more important than ever to look into ways of reducing them. Your windows and doors can have a big impact on the amount of energy you use, the comfort of your home and the cost of heating it and if you're thinking of replacing them, you need to consider not just the design you require but also the thermal efficiency.
Double glazing is generally accepted to be more efficient than standard single glazed windows and doors, however there are more energy efficient double glazed options available. These are designed to take advantage of the solar heat coming into the home, known as solar gain and will keep this heat in while reducing the heat lost, this is possible by using two different types of special glass. Filling the double glazing with argon gas stops further heat from escaping.
Triple glazed units are the most efficient, designed to take full advantage of solar gain; the outer two pains are filled with argon glass. They are designed for optimal energy efficiency and have very low U values.
If you are replacing single glazed units with energy efficient double glazing you will reduce the amount of energy lost through your windows by up to 90%, you could also reduce your heating bills by up to 20%!
New regulations introduced in 2010 mean that all double glazed windows and doors have to meet certain levels of thermal efficiency, this measured in terms of U value's, with the lower the value the better the efficiency. Windows and doors now have a ratings system similar to that of domestic appliances with "A" rated windows and doors being the most efficient.
Ensuring you purchase your new windows and upvc doors from a reputable supplier who can guide you through the process can help you keep your home safe, secure, warm and looking good. Ask your supplier for information about the ratings of the doors and windows you are considering. The cost of the best energy efficient items is not as expensive as you might first think!
