Energy Efficient Windows

With shorter winter evenings and the cold chill settling in the air, we explain in this blog how energy efficient windows can easily cut down those high heating bills whilst keeping your home warm and snug throughout the Christmas period.

How replacement windows could save you hundreds from your heating bills!

Home heating costs are constantly on a rise. British Gas stated that on 1 October 2018 the price for a typical dual fuel customer on the standard variable tariff will go up by £44/year to £1,205/year on average. This increase was the second within the same year. So with Christmas just around the corner replacement windows and doors could save you a significant amount whilst home energy costs are on the all-time high.

Can replacement windows and doors cut my heating bills?

According to a recent statement from the Energy saving Trust that energy which leaks from the roof, wall cavities and windows account for approximately 20% of heat loss from a property.  This means that replacement windows and doors could pay you back in dividends whilst reducing the carbon footprint of your property.

The exact amount you could save will purely depend on the type of property you live in and your existing windows and doors. According to the Energy Saving Trust, it is possible to reduce heat loss by an astonishing 75%.

If you live in a detached three bedroom property, this is likely to save you up to £160mper year on your heating bills compared to older double glazed windows. This figure is based on the current fuel prices, however the forecast for gas to 2023 could easily add a further £59 on top of these figures.

So with a possible savings of £200 per year, this could save you £2000 over a 10 year period, showing that replacement windows is a great investment. Depending on your home type and annual savings, but it is possible that your windows and doors could pay for themselves after on 15 years, depending on their design, materials and finishes.

Most Energy efficient windows – wood, aluminium or uPVC?

Timber windows – energy efficiency

Wooden windows are extremely popular as they offer slim sightlines whilst remaining beautiful installed. Timber windows also offers that charming, warm appeal, providing that everlasting appeal for your home.

However, timber windows have many disadvantages over its rival’s aluminium and uPVC window profiles. One of the main disadvantages is that timber is a solid material which cannot adapt the same multi-chambered manufacturing including a thermal breaking method, which is used for uPVC windows and aluminium profiles.

Some double glazing manufacturers have even tried to resolve this issue by attempting to combine aluminium faces and thermal breaks with wooden frames inside. Although this significantly increases their thermal performance it also ominously raises their price also.

High performance glazing is also another way to enhance thermal performance of timber window frames. However, the cost for high performance double glazed units with timber frames are a lot greater than standard double glazed windows.

Aluminium windows – energy efficiency 

Aluminium windows offer the most exquisite sightlines whilst proposing flexibility in design. As aluminium windows have much thinner frames, this displays a modern style to any home. Our expertly designed aluminium windows offers homeowners the perfect combination of extraordinarily slim frames while producing the highest performance in window efficiency. These beautifully sleek, clean sightlines can easily transform the appearance of any home, increasing the value of a property, whereas maintaining the warmth, style and home security.

With the ever increasing sales for aluminium sliding patio doors and bi-folding doors has heightened the demand for aluminium windows as well. This increase demand has raised manufacturing therefore allowing aluminium windows to reduce substantially in price.

Aluminium profiles use multi-chambered and polyamide thermal breaks to prevent unwanted outside air from transferring into the home environment. Aluminium windows are now achieving a staggering 1.2 KW/m² as standard or with high quality energy efficient glazing an average 1.4 KW/m² or 1.6 KW/m^2.

UPVC Windows – energy efficiency

UPVC windows and doors are extremely good heat insulators. UPVC has some huge advantage over its counterparts such as they are low maintenance whilst far less conductive than aluminium. This allows uPVC to be manufactured with high u-values which makes them extremely cost effective.

We offer a huge range of uPVC windows and doors from A-rating as standard to triple glazed windows. Window styles include casement windows, tilt & turn, bay, bow, flush sash, French and bi-folding windows.

So if you are considering changing your windows for better energy efficient windows, then don’t hesitate in contacting Peterborough Doors for a non-obligated quote.