In order to help combat climate change, the government introduced new policies to reduce emissions which in turn impacted the way in which we build homes and the types of materials we use. Now more than ever, it is vital that everyone in the building and construction industry understand how to comply with the changes.
Whilst Windows and Doors don’t use energy themselves, they are an integral part of having an energy efficient home due to the fact that they allow the transfer of energy, impacting on a home’s heating and cooling load.
Considering the Windows and Doors you wish to use in your home is a vital part of the design, planning and building stages of your project to ensure that you have an energy efficient home that limits both heat loss and heat gain.
Windows and Doors energy efficiency is measured through four main ways which consider the whole window system, with the most common reference you will see being the U-Value & the SHGC.
The U-Value’s purpose is to provide an insulation level, the lower the U-Value is the better it is at insulating energy flow through the window system.
The SHGC’s purpose is to control the passive heat from the sun, the requirements for this is dependent on where you live, a higher SHGC is desirable in cold climates whereas a lower SHGC is better for hot regions.
In order to ensure your home, including your Windows and Doors, meets the correct standards for energy efficiency it is generally recommended to speak to an Energy Rater to have an assessment done of your home.