A Rated Energy Efficient Windows are an Excellent Investment
If you have heard the saying about a man’s home being his castle you will understand when I say that we all like to think of our homes as places where we can feel secure, warm and comfortable. Apart from this we also want to live in a place which looks good and is well maintained, as well as trying to do our best for the environment in these socially conscious days. This is why so many people consider A rated energy efficient windows to be a good investment.
You may have thought that a window is just a window and that the glass is the same no matter which style, company or budget you decide to go with. The fact is that this is not the case and the glass you choose to go with will affect many things. The Window Energy Label provides us with key items of information, which together help consumers understand the energy efficiency of the window. Of these the most recognised is the ‘Rating Level’ as this provides an overall indication of the windows performance. Accredited WER windows work on the same principle as energy efficient labelling used on domestic products, like washing machines.
The best way to compare windows for energy efficiency is to use the BFRC rating. BFRC rating is on a scale of A to G, where A-rated windows are more energy efficient than B-rated windows and B rated energy efficient windows are better than C rated energy efficient windows etc. G is the lowest rated. You need to look for the BFRC label on windows and in the brochures to easily compare windows for energy efficiency. Different combinations of frame style, frame material, and glazing can yield very different results when trying to compare energy efficiency and cost. All of these factors can be compared using the BFRC rating.
Energy Index
The Energy Index tells us how much energy the window will save or lose. ‘A’ rated will save energy and so have a positive Energy Index, while ‘B’ rated and below will lose energy and so have a negative one.
Thermal Transmittance
Thermal Transmittance (U-Value) is the rate of transfer of heat. In the case of windows, it refers to the transfer of heat through a one metre square window divided by the difference in temperature of both sides. Therefore the glazing unit, the spacer bar and the window profile are all included within the calculation. To improve the U-Value of the window, the sealed double-glazing cavity may be filled with gas in place of air.
Whether you decide to opt for A rated windows or C rated windows will depend for the main part on your budget. We would all like to have the best things for our homes but we also need to realise that this is not always possible and so we need to make compromises. Just make sure that you do not compromise on the quality of the work undertaken and qualified installers to do the job.