As we leave the warmer climes of the English summer behind, it’s time to prepare for a serious drop in temperatures. The cold winter months are fast approaching, and this year there’s added worry as households across the country are preparing to deal with sky-high energy bills.
But did you know that without double glazing, as much as 18 per cent of a home’s heat loss occurs through its windows? It doesn’t have to be that way, so in this article we explain how double glazing can prevent heat loss this winter.
How Much Energy Is Lost Through Windows?
If your windows have a poor energy rating, you stand to lose valuable energy every time you turn on the heater. If you have single-glazed windows, you could lose 18 per cent of your energy through the windows, costing you money and contributing to your carbon footprint.
The Energy Saving Trust has previously estimated that a four-bed semi-detached house could save £175 per year on its energy bill simply by switching from single-glazed windows to double-glazed.
It’s important to remember that this estimate was made long before the looming energy crisis that Britain is facing in the winter of 2022, so the potential savings going forwards could be much higher than this.
How Does Double Glazing Help?
Double glazing is specifically designed to minimise energy loss by keeping heat inside your home. By keeping the temperature inside a property constant, you remove the need to keep burning gas or using electricity to keep your thermostat on a given temperature setting. This saves energy and means that your bills are much lower than they otherwise would be.
So how does double glazing achieve this? A double-glazed window consists of two sheets of glass attached to a window frame. There’s a small space between the two sheets of glass measuring around 16mm in width, and this space is filled with air (or in some cases, a type of natural gas) before being sealed.
The air-filled gap between the two panes of glass acts as an insulating space. This means that heat energy finds it difficult to pass through, and is instead trapped inside the home. In comparison, single-glazed windows have just one sheet of glass attached to a window frame, which provides little opportunity for insulation.
How Are Energy Ratings Measured?
Energy ratings are measured using a simple alphabetic system that offers a measure of the effectiveness of a window in stopping heat escaping. Higher ratings are given to windows that stop more heat from escaping, with the highest rating being A+.
Double-glazed windows will have higher ratings than single-glazed windows, but bear in mind that an older double-glazed window may not be as effective at stopping heat loss as a newer double-glazed window made from the most up-to-date materials.
Upgrade Your Windows This Winter with The Window Centre
The Window Centre is here to help you find the perfect windows for your home. With top quality, A-Rated windows fitted by our experienced Devon-based team, you’re guaranteed to keep out the cold this winter.
If you have any questions or would like a quote, don’t hesitate to contact The Window Centre for assistance.