Are Energy-Efficient Windows Worth It? 10 Reasons to Invest in This Value-Adding Home Improvement

When you undertake any kind of home improvement, the overriding questions are ‘how will it change my quality of life?’ and ‘is it worth it?’. These are common considerations when you are carrying out one of the most common improvements: replacing single pane windows with double pane windows. The idea is that the extra panes of glass will reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.

Window installations can be a significant project to undertake, especially if you’re getting new or replacement windows for all the existing windows in your home. We have come up with a list of reasons that make the initial windows’ cost worth it and explain why they will boost your well-being.

As leading providers of energy-efficient windows, we understand the benefits and drawbacks – so we’re a good source of information on why they are worth it and when they might not be needed. 

You can get a free quote for double and triple-glazed windows on the south coast of the UK by filling in our short form. We’ll now begin assessing the pros and cons in more detail:

1. They Help You to Save Money on Energy Bills

A window with double glazing will provide significant energy savings and give you a chance to recoup some of your energy costs. Many designs use an inert gas, typically argon, between the panes to boost the glazing’s energy efficiency further. The gas fills the panes and is a very poor heat conductor, therefore working to keep the warm air from getting out. 

As long as the frame is fitted well and the glazing has not been damaged, the performance of vinyl or aluminium windows will remain constant. To help save as much money as possible you can get a product with a higher rating. These ratings go from A++ to E. Products from the United States use a similar system, called the ‘Energy Star Rating’, which is run by the Department of Energy.

2. They Improve Sound Insulation

While the inner layer of glass and the argon gas reduce heat transfer, the outer layer acts as a protective barrier against intrusive noise. Annoying traffic, loud birds, street noise, and any other sounds are reduced with extra panes of glass – so triple-glazed window units can vastly improve the liveability of a room. City homes, street-facing bedrooms and other areas can all benefit.

Sound insulation will help people sleep better or avoid annoyances but they also help to insulate sound for the space inside. As a result, you can get higher levels of privacy, a more comfortable atmosphere to enjoy music or other loud activities, and a much lower chance of receiving noise complaints or disgruntled neighbours with energy-efficient windows.

3. They Are Secure

Many people worry about their home’s security. One of the main questions we hear from our customers, aside from whether their double-glazed windows are worth it, is if they will impact their home security. Energy-efficient windows will elevate your home security, which is a direct result of the extra glazing. This is because the glass in the units is airtight and the layers are harder to break.

The frames of both uPVC and aluminium are also very strong, much stronger than timber, so a forceful opening is a lot harder. Alongside their built-in security, features such as sturdy locks with keys or latches provide extra protection. Double-glazed windows can also be locked in a partially-opened position, so you can ensure excellent ventilation without compromising safety.

4. They Look Good

Although energy efficiency is the motivator for these products, their designs do not disappoint when it comes to the form factor. Aluminium windows are particularly pleasant to look at and even lower-cost uPVC window frames are available with a range of finishes, such as wood grain, or colours to enhance their appearance. Windows can also sit flush on the building’s wall.

Aesthetics are not an issue for energy-efficient windows and there are options suitable for both contemporary and period properties. Many such products are used in areas where keeping with a certain architectural or design style is essential, such as in heritage and conservation areas. There are finishes to make designs fit with traditions, such as diamond and square leading.

5. They Add to Rental or Sale Values

Many people looking to buy a property will take note of a lack of energy-efficient windows and may factor this into their offer price. In the modern age, energy-efficient windows and glazing are considered essential and not the luxury items they once were. Potential tenants will also see double glazing as an attractive feature for lower bills, greater comfort, and home security.

Much of the trepidation regarding the costs of the initial investment in energy-efficient windows can be offset by the immediate value they add for prospective buyers and sellers, as the benefit from energy efficiency and lower energy bills is a lot more cumulative. With a quality installation, energy-efficient windows will pay for themselves by adding real-term value to the property.

6. Lower Ultraviolet Light Exposure Indoors

We all understand how ultraviolet light is a potential risk to skin health and has other damaging effects on the body, but it can also cause fading in fabric, paint, and carpets inside. Deteriorating decor will lower your quality of life and may require redecoration before you can sell or rent a property, so the lower the ultraviolet light exposure the better.

The principal way windows lower ultraviolet light is from their additional glazing, which forms a physical barrier to the light, but the gas-filled spaces in the glazing can lower light intensity too. For areas where there is particularly strong sunshine, special films can be added to the glass or a coating can be put on the glazing during manufacturing, which will lower the exposure further.

7. They Reduce Condensation

No matter what the weather is like, the extra layers of glass and the thermal breaks inside the window frame will make it a much more stable transition. As a result, there is a much lower chance of condensation forming on the inside of the window. Lower levels of condensation mean that problems such as mould are highly unlikely to become an issue.

The mould on windows due to condensation can present a serious health problem, which can lead to many respiratory issues. A mould formation is also unsightly and can be very difficult to get rid of once it forms. If you do happen to develop mould, this can affect plasterboards, soft furnishings, and carpets as well, so double glazing will add a great protective benefit in this regard.

8. They Have Benefits in Summer

While energy-efficient windows will see you through cold winters more comfortably and with lower fuel bills, there are many benefits of double-glazed windows in the summer. Double or triple-glazed windows prevent heat transfer, so, during hot weather, they limit the heat from the outside coming in. As a result, energy-efficient windows can keep you cool as well as warm.

As ultraviolet light is a more likely hazard in the summer, double-glazing can also help with this. Additionally, with the better-controlled temperature inside, there is less need to open a window when it’s hot, so you can get noise-proofing benefits even in summer! With the comfortable temperature, it is also less likely you will leave a window open, so you can still maintain security.

9. They Are Easy to Clean

Energy-efficient windows are much easier to clean than traditional timber windows, which is partially due to their use of modern uPVC materials and durable aluminium. Both of them are wipe-cleanable and will respond well to cleaning with simple warm soapy water. Dirt and grime are also significantly less likely to permeate the windows, unlike a material such as timber.

For the outside, uPVC and aluminium are ideal materials for pressure washing. You can reach the very edges of large windows using a pressure jet to remove any water streaks or bits of dirt on the glass – and also wash the frames. With tilt and turn windows, you can even open the windows inwards so you can wash the outside of the window and the entire frame from inside!

10.  They Are Super Low Maintenance

Energy-efficient windows will barely require any attention to function completely energy-efficiently. You will get the results of a high-end window with simple cleaning and just watching out for potential signs of overuse or damage, such as loose handles and indications of rust in any of the metal parts within the frame.

Regular inspections of the seals are important, as these are crucial to the energy efficiency of your installation, but this is easily done with a cursory look during cleaning. Unless you have sash windows there are no moving parts or delicate mechanisms used to open or close the windows, which means they are highly unlikely to malfunction or become stuck.

Are There Any Disadvantages of Energy-Efficient Windows?

There are a few disadvantages to double or triple-glazed windows, but they are not enough to make them not worth it overall. Drawbacks of energy-efficient windows include the fact that:

• They can trap in heat if you let in hot air from other open windows during summer
• They are quite difficult to repair if they break, so most likely you will need a new one
• They are more expensive than single pane windows, though the cost gains from extra efficiency over time, and profits if you sell the property, will most likely recoup this expense

Some people just do not like the look no matter how authentic they appear, such as for very old or characterful buildings, so this may be an issue for certain historic and conservation reasons.