Windows - Transcript
If we think of the outside of any house as the ‘building fabric’ – then the windows
are definitely the weak link in our home’s protective covering.
In summer they let heat in – and in winter they can let all that nice warmth escape!
A single pane of bare glass can gain or lose up to 10 times more heat than the same
area of uninsulated wall.
So let’s look at some simple ways to make your windows work for you – keeping you
cooler in summer, warmer in winter – and cutting down on your power bills all year
round.
Let’s start by considering 2 natural elements we can use to our advantage – namely,
the sun for ‘free’ heat in winter and wind, to cool the house in summer.
The sun’s path changes according to the seasons – it’s higher in the sky in summer,
and will heat up east facing windows in the morning and west facing windows in the
afternoon. In winter, it’s lower in the sky and mainly shines on north facing windows.
Once we understand how this affects our house, we can take steps to make it work
for us.
For example, if you’re building a new house, or renovating, consider installing large
north facing windows in your main living areas. They’ll let plenty of winter sun in to
provide free heating – and they’re easy to shade during the summer months.
There are steps you can take to make your windows energy efficient in an
established home too – things like curtains or double-glazing to provide extra
insulation in winter, and external shading to keep the house cooler in summer.
In summer, use external blinds, awnings or shutters to shade your east or west
windows. For north facing windows, eaves, pergolas or adjustable shades will
provide effective protection -and because of the height of the summer sun, the same
type of shading will allow the lower winter sun to enter your home in the colder
months.
Having windows placed across from each other wherever possible creates good cross
ventilation when those cooling summer breezes roll in at night or after a cool
change!
In winter, having thick, well fitted curtains and pelmets will really help to keep your
rooms comfortably warm.
Double glazing windows is a great way to insulate your windows from both noise &
heat. Keep in mind that double glazed windows are great for retaining heat in winter
– but still require good shading in summer..
And think about the window frames too – different frames will be more or less
energy efficient, with timber being more effective than aluminium.
If you’re installing new windows, consider upgrading to double-glazing. In an
established home you can install secondary glazing – an extra pane of glass in the
existing frame – or use heat shrink film or window coverings as lower cost options.
So, to make your windows work for a more energy efficient home:
Use the sun and wind to best advantage in where you position your living areas and
large windows
Use external shading to keep cooler in summer – and thick, well fitted curtains and
double-glazing to stay warmer in winter
For more information on how to make your windows energy efficient, head to our
website