Do you die a little inside when you walk past your living room window? Does your heat run all day, but your house never really feels warm? There is more to winter in Ireland than rain and wind. That’s high energy bills. But for many homeowners, the worst offender isn’t the boiler or the radiator, but the windows.
It’s the windows. Windows are the “skin” of your house. If that skin is thin or broken, heat escapes. When heat escapes, so does your money. At Thermoglaze, we assist homeowners all over Ireland in regaining their comfort and cutting their costs. In this guide, we will tell you how to find out whether your windows are letting you down.
The Real Cost of Poor Insulation
Most people believe there is nothing to worry about with a small draft. But the heat loss from inefficient windows can account for as much as 25 to 30% of your total residential heating consumption.
If you are living in an older home in Rathgar, chances are you have got original frames, which simply were not designed for modern energy standards. Replacing your windows with energy-efficient ones is the quickest way to get that “money moose.”
Sign 1: You Feel Constant Draughts
The first and most obvious indication that something is amiss is a breeze you feel inside your home. If you are sitting by a window and feel a cold “current,” your seals are compromised.
Window seals shrink or crack as they get older. Cold air is able to get in, and warm air is able to get out. It leads to the production of “cold spots” in your houses. Maybe you are just turning up the thermostat to make up for a single draughty spot.
Homeowners in coastal areas like Sutton often face brutal winds. These winds place extra strain on aged window seals. If you can hear the wind whistling through the glass, it’s time to think about upgrading.
Sign 2: Visible Condensation Between Panes
Do your windows appear foggy or misty? Are water droplets trapped inside the two panes of glass? This is a big red flag. Double glazing is the process of sealing two panes of glass together with a small gap filled with air or a type of gas, for example, Argon. This layer acts as a barrier. If condensation forms inside the unit, the airtight seal has failed. The insulated gas has leaked out.
Now your window is just two pieces of glass, uninsulated on all sides. In places like Swords, where many homes have double glazing dating back to the 90s, this “blown” window problem is rampant. Installing those windows with high-performance glass will make your home warmer in a flash.
Sign 3: Your Energy Bills are Spiking
Don’t your heating bills seem to be climbing higher every year, even though you are not doing anything differently? Although energy prices vary, an increasing long-term electricity consumption may indicate that your house is getting less energy efficient. Look back at your bills from three years ago. When the kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption is much higher, your house is sweating to keep you warm.
If you can hear cars or neighbours talking as if they were in the next room, your windows are too thin. The same small spaces and thin sheets of glass that allow sound to enter also allow heat to escape.
Thermoglaze’s modern double and triple-glazing is also great for noise pollution. If you live near a busy road or in a busy place like Howth, then heat is as valuable as peace and quiet. Good soundproofing is usually an indicator of good thermal insulation.
Sign 4: Outside Noise is Getting Louder
Windows are not just for letting in light. They block out sound.
If you can make out the sound of cars driving by on the street or your neighbours talking as if they are in the same room, then your windows are too thin. The same cracks and thin walls that let sound in also let heat out.
Today’s Thermoglaze double and triple glazing will give you very high levels of acoustic insulation. If you’re living in the vicinity of a busy road or a busy place like Howth, the value of peace and quiet is as great as that of heat. More soundproofing is almost always indicative of better thermal performance.
Sign 5: Physical Damage and Difficulty Operating
Examine your window frames. Do you see –
- Glass with cracks?
- Rotten or rotted wood around the frames?
- Spaces between the frame and the wall?
Also, try to open and close them. Are you fanning, jamming, applying brute force to get them to lock? A warped frame makes it difficult to get a window or door in and out of. And a window that doesn’t close tightly is a window that leaks money.
Softwood window frames in the moist Irish climate, but if not attended to, window frames made of soft timber may rot and occupy quick if untreated in the damp Irish climate. This decay causes air leaks that no weather stripping can fix.
Why Choose Energy Efficient Windows?
You are raising your windows for more than a cost; you are raising them as an investment. Here is why:
- Adds value to your home: Homebuyers are watching for high BER (Building Energy Rating) scores.
- Lower Your Impact on the Environment: Get fuel-saving benefits and contribute to saving the environment.
- Better Protection: They are much more difficult for criminals to break into. Remove Mould: Improved insulation is the solution to moisture-induced mould growth.
Thermoglaze Advantages
We sell high-quality, energy-efficient glazing solutions for homes across the whole of the island of Ireland. We know that every home is unique. If you live in a period property or a modern semi-detached house, we have windows that look good and perform better.
We prioritise:
- Heat Retention: Our patented glass technology bounces heat back into your room.
- Durability-Stand up to the Irish rain and wind.
- Windows Professional installation: A window is only as good as the fit. Our professionals guarantee a tight, airtight seal every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long do double-glazed windows last?
– Generally speaking, good-quality windows have a lifespan of 20-25 years. However, if they were poorly installed, they could fail much sooner.
Q2. Can I just change the glass and keep the frames?
– In many situations, yes! It’s the most cost-effective way to improve your energy efficiency if your frames are still structurally sound.
Q3. Do new windows really pay for themselves?
– Yes. Many people notice greatly lowered heating bills almost instantly after switching to A-rated energy-efficient windows.
Do not let your hard-earned money flow out through the glass this winter. If you have seen any of the above five signs, it’s time to take action.
Call Thermoglaze Now