Energy efficient glazing has a big impact in the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of a house. In this article, professional Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) from Belfast, Northern Ireland, explain the impact of glazing in your EPC results. The EPC is a legal requirement for houses for sale or to let in Belfast since 2008.
The windows in your home can make a real difference to its warmth, security and energy efficiency of a house. Poorly insulated windows can be a major source of heat loss and cost you more money on your energy bills over time. One solution here is installing more energy efficient glazing in your home.
What is energy efficient glazing?
In short, energy efficient glazing covers double and triple glazed windows. These windows are made up of two or more panes of glass separated by air spaces, all sealed within one window unit. This increases the insulating properties of the window and means more heat can be kept in your home.
The benefits of energy efficient glazing
There are many benefits of energy efficient glazing, some that you can enjoy straight away and others that you can reap the rewards of in the future.
Energy and cost savings
- Improved thermal insulation. The air gaps in double and triple glazed windows act as an insulator to minimise heat transfer through the window. This works both ways too. In cold weather, the glazing reduces the amount of heat that can escape to the outside. In warm weather, the opposite happens and the windows help keep the heat from the sun out. Overall, this provides a more comfortable living situation all year round.
- Lower energy loses. With the added insulation the energy efficient glazing brings, less heat is lost through your windows. As a result, you can make cost savings on your energy bills and it’s better for the environment as you’re essentially ‘wasting’ less energy. When coupled with other energy-saving measures such as loft insulation and draught-proofing, this can lead to cost savings over time as it reduces the amount of energy it takes to heat your home.
Better safety, security and comfort
- Peace and quiet. They’re good at keeping heat in, but energy efficient windows are also good at keeping noise out. The sealed double or triple glazed window unit can reduce certain noise frequencies being transmitted through the glass for a quieter living space.
- Better safety and security. Nobody likes to think about having their home broken into, but having two or more panes of glass separating you from the outside offers more protection than single glazing does. In that respect, energy efficient glazing can increase home security.
Other cost savings
- Reduced condensation. Condensation on the outside of your windows is a good thing – it means the windows are doing a good job of insulating your home. But condensation on the inside of a window can be a problem as it can damage the frames and contribute to bigger damp problems. Energy efficient windows help to reduce the risk of condensation and extend the life of window frames that would otherwise be damaged by it.
- Increase the value of your home. Energy-saving measures such as energy efficient window glazing can actually increase the value of your home. With house buyers more and more conscious of both the environmental and financial effects of a poorly insulated home, taking steps to improve the energy efficiency before a sale often pays off.
The benefits and savings you gain from energy efficient glazing will of course depend on a number of factors, including the type of windows you buy and the size of your home amongst other things. But remember – over time, even small actions to increase energy efficiency all add up.
This article is offered by https://www.epc-belfast.net/ a company that provide Energy Performance Certificates in Belfast, Northern Ireland. EPC assessments range between £55 and £85 at the time of writing this post.