Green home improvement is a much-discussed topic at the moment, allowing you both to save money and do your bit for the environment. While there are lots of different things you can do to make your home energy efficient, you could find that choosing the right window insulation may prove a particularly useful option.
While we might not all be able to have solar panels or make more expensive green changes yet, introducing small alterations to improve the energy efficiency of our homes is something we can all do.
There are several methods of window insulation to choose from – and which you select will depend on various factors, such as your budget and your current window type.
Perhaps one of the most efficient ways to save money on your energy bills is to opt for double glazing. Indeed, you will find that energy-efficient windows are now available and are a particularly good choice if you fitted your current double glazing before 2002 – or if you have single-glazed windows.
Helping you to make the most of the ‘natural’ energy within your home, this type of window can contribute to preventing heat loss and conserve the heat your house produces – something that will undoubtedly be especially welcome during the chilly winter months!
And, of course, if you’re home retains more heat, you will find your energy bills drop accordingly.
These windows can be installed with various frames, from timber to aluminium, PVC-U and steel. The type of material you choose will impact on the total cost of getting these windows installed – but don’t let an initial outlay put you off investing.
Remember, you will recoup the cost of installation in the form of lower heating bills in the future – as well as doing your bit for the environment! In fact, you may find you save as much as £461 per year.
Indeed, you’ll discover that energy-efficient windows can dramatically lower your home’s carbon output. If you currently have single glazing, you could reduce this by some 0.3 tonnes by installing this type of window, making them the ideal choice for people looking to make their house greener.
If this sounds like the perfect option for you, make sure you choose recommended tradesmen to carry out the work.
Alternatively, it may be that you would rather make some improvements to your current windows – and you’ll find that there are several options in this regard.
These range from simply ensuring all your curtains are closed overnight to prevent unnecessary heat loss to adding draught insulation – something that can be done by yourself or by a professional.
Draughts are a common problem in which small gaps let cold air in and allow heat to escape, which is especially noticeable in the winter months. As well as keeping us warmer, window insulation can also help to lower our energy bills and reduce our carbon footprint in a similar way to investing in fresh panes.
Carrying out the work yourself is not too complicated – you just need to bear a few things in mind. The most important is selecting the size of your insulation. If this is too small, you will find the draught continues to pose problems, while if it is too large it will compress and you may end up unable to shut your window.
Meanwhile, there are several types of insulation you choose from. If you are on a budget, you might want to invest in foam insulation, which is fairly cheap – however, this cannot be used on sliding windows and will need to be replaced more frequently than other types.
Alternatively, you can opt for plastic or metal strips with brushers attached. These cost a little more, but will usually last longer than foam alternatives.
If you are not comfortable attempting DIY projects, or if your home is particularly old, it can be sensible to employ a professional to carry out the work for you. Make sure you research recommended tradesmen in your area to choose someone you are happy with prior to hiring anyone to carry out the work.
Whether you choose to do the work yourself or decide to enlist the help of a professional, you will find that window insulation can make your home more environmentally friendly and warmer, as well as to reduce your heating bills.