How Do Energy-Efficient Windows Work?
The average home loses most of its heat through its windows. So if you’re wondering how to make your home more energy-efficient and save when it comes to your utility bills, your windows should be one of the first places you look. After all, there’s little point in investing in a modern heat pump if all that warmth is going to disappear out your windows.
So how do energy-efficient windows work? And what is an energy-efficient window anyway?
What is an Energy-Efficient Window?
An energy-efficient window is a window that’s been specially designed to reduce heat loss and improve insulation in your home. Unlike older single-glazed windows which allow warmth to escape and cold air to seep in, energy-efficient windows are made using two or sometimes three panes of glass. These panes are separated by a small gap, usually filled with argon gas, which slows down heat transfer.
Other features within an energy-efficient window include:
- Low-E Glass – Low-E coating on the inside of your glass reflects heat back into your home while still letting in natural light. It also blocks harmful UV rays and prevents your interior furnishings from fading.
- Spacer Bars – Spacer bars are used to separate the panes of glass within a sealed unit and form a cavity needed for insulation. Energy-efficient windows use ‘warm edge’ spacers, which conduct less heat than traditional aluminium ones.
- Weatherproof Seals – Weatherproof seals ensure your windows are sealed effectively and prevent any damp from entering your interior spaces.
Everything works together as a system to help stabilise the temperature in your home, which means your heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard.
Why Are Energy-Efficient Windows Important?
If you live in a traditional property with older-style windows, there is a good chance your home has single glazing. Single glazed windows offer very little insulation against the elements, which means during the cooler months your home will have no way of keeping the cold out and the warmth in. In fact, if you were to put your hand up against the pane of a single glazed window, you would most likely be able to tell how cold or warm it was outside.
While you could take a cheaper approach and attempt to block drafts the old-fashioned way, a poorly insulated home most often results in damp, condensation and even mould and rot. As a result, failing to replace older-style single-glazed windows with double-glazed ones can create a myriad of issues for your home. It’s much safer (and cheaper) in the long term to take a more energy-efficient approach and upgrade your windows.
Energy-Efficient Windows at Majestic Designs
For more than 20 years, we’ve been manufacturing our own uPVC and aluminium windows here in our Somerset factories. Every window we produce is made to order and designed with energy performance in mind. From internal beading and precision-engineered spacer bars to advanced seals and thermal barriers, our windows are built to stand the test of time, and the British weather.
All our energy-efficient windows come with an A+14 rating as standard and are installed by our team of fully employed, FENSA-accredited and MTC-registered fitters. That means the same level of care goes into the installation as the manufacture, giving you peace of mind that your windows are built to perform.
If you would like to book an at-home consultation with our friendly team, contact us today.
