Rachael Munby from Anglian Home Improvements shares her insights on how switching to energy efficient windows could help homeowners save up to £1,800 on their energy bills – while adding greater value to properties
With the cost of living showing no signs of abating, installing energy efficient appliances remains a key consideration for many homeowners. And, as the UK prepares for plummeting temperatures in the coming months, this is only set to increase.
One of the most efficient ways to retain as much heat in the home as possible is to invest in quality double-glazed windows and doors. It’s worth noting that while some homes are already fitted with double-glazing, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that they are thermally efficient. Valuable heat can still be lost through windows that have been poorly fitted, causing homeowners to produce more CO2 as a result of making their heating work harder and longer.
For homeowners concerned about the efficiency of their windows and the additional money this could be costing them on their energy bills, they should consider exploring the most efficient windows from a trusted, experienced, and responsible window provider.
Energy efficient windows are expertly designed to improve thermal efficiency and prevent warm air from escaping thanks to its latest technology, innovation and high performance, which ensure windows are airtight. For homeowners, this means more money in their pockets, as they could save up to £184.25 per year on their energy bills.
Making these upgrades also helps to protect the environment, as it cuts carbon emissions by up to half a tonne of CO2 per year – to put this into context, one tonne of CO2 is equivalent to the average emissions of one passenger on a return flight from Paris to New York or driving 6000 km in a diesel car. With green, energy-efficient homes becoming increasingly desirable, this could have a significant impact on homebuyers’ purchase decisions, and subsequently, the housing market.
To add to that, a low score on an Energy Performance Certificate could make it more difficult to sell properties. A Government report on property sales found that making energy saving improvements could increase the value of homes by as much as 38%.
The benefits of double glazing go far beyond energy and cost efficiency. Premium windows reduce condensation buildup on the inside of the windows through spacer bars between the panes and Low-E glass which reflects heat back into the room. In asimilar way, energy efficient windows help insulate homes against external noise, so homeowners can enjoy peace and quiet.
These factors combined are predicted to cause a spike in the demand for energy efficient products, particularly in the self-build and renovation sectors – and could even be a more effective way to achieve greater energy efficient homes rather than building new properties.
Triple glazing may be a more desirable option for those looking for energy efficiency, as well as improved security. Triple glazing comes in well above Building Regulations standards for energy efficiency, providing they have been installed correctly. In the space between the panes is an inert gas that increases the window’s thermal performance. This gas has low conductivity – and is therefore more insulating, which further helps to reduce energy bills.
Energy efficient windows are undoubtedly a beneficial way to help construction workers, renovators and self-builders alike create the energy efficient homes that homebuyers want. For a seamless buying experience, there are companies in the market that have a team of highly skilled experts who are on hand to support every step of the process to ensure everything is precision-made, so you can be certain of a finished product that provides warmth, security, and savings without compromising the environment.
Anglian has calculated the estimated savings using the energy calculator developed by the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF). A typical house upgrading from pre-2002 double glazed PVCu windows with gas heating to Anglian A-rated windows will make an annual saving of £184.25 and 0.47 tonnes of CO2 and a saving of £1,842.50 and 4.7 tonnes of CO2 across 10 years.
Rachael Munby is group marketing director at Anglian Home Improvements