Double Glazed Windows
Most homes these days have double glazed windows as they are effective way of keeping a house warmer and more sound proof. Double glazing works by placing two panes of glass into one window frame with a vacuum inside the two panes. Inert gas is normally placed between the glass and this acts as a barrier for sound and to keep warm air inside and cold air outside. The reason why these double glazed windows are so effective at keeping heat in the house and sound out is because the inert gas does not conduct sound waves or heat.
If you want to be sure that double glazed windows are going to have the maximum efficiency, then it is necessary for the gap between the two panes of glass to be about 1.2 to 2cm thick. If the gap is smaller than 1.2cm then radiation can cause heat loss and if the gap is too big then heat loss can occur because of the gas travelling within the gap.
There are still many homes throughout the UK which have single glazed windows as this was the norm when houses were built a number of decades ago. However, with single glazed windows, you can expect to pay around 25% more for heating bills over a year. The amount of heat that is lost in homes that do not have double glazed windows is astounding.
How energy efficient your home is will depend on whether or not you have double glazed windows and if you are spending more on fuel every year because your home is losing heat, it will have a much lower energy efficient rating than your neighbour who may have double glazing for example.
Double glazed windows also work in the opposite way during the summer. While most of us do not have to worry about extreme heat here in the UK, there are some countries where using air conditioning on a regular basis is required at some times of the year. If you are spending money on cooling your home because of the heat outside, then having double glazed windows can help to keep the heat outside and the cool air inside. This means the cost of air conditioning will not be so high.
Although it can be quite expensive to have double glazed windows installed in your home, it will be well worth it in the end as you will really notice a huge difference to how warm and cosy your home is and you will also notice that the noise from outside is reduced quite significantly. It is definitely something worth considering.