Single-glazed
windows in
draughty panes
cost you money.
Close
your curtains at dusk to stop
heat escaping through the windows.
Draughtproofing
saves you
approximately
£20 per year on your energy bills.
If you don't
already have
double-glazing in your home, it's definitely worth thinking about. If
you can't
afford to replace all the windows, why not choose the rooms that cost
you the
most to heat? You could reduce heat loss through windows by half.
Double-glazed
windows come in
a variety
of styles but it's worth checking any restrictions on your house due to
age and
location, especially in any Conservation Areas. Fitting double-glazing
when
your existing window frames need replacing will save you time and money.
Look for the
energy saving
recommended
logo when choosing your windows you can be sure they are the most
energy
efficient, as the whole window (frame and glass) is assessed on a
rating of A-G
by the British Fenestration Ratings Council.
If
you're on a budget, fitting
secondary glazing could be the answer. It's less expensive than
replacement
double-glazing and will still save money by cutting heat loss and
draughts.
Secondary
glazing allows the
originals
to be retained and is generally accepted by planning authorities for
use in
listed buildings - which can be a problem with some of Thornbury's
older
houses.
The glazing
can be found in a
variety
of styles - Vertical sliders for Sash Windows, with a tilting and
removable
sash facility for ease of cleaning, Horizontal sliders with removable
sashes
for 'picture' type casement windows, Hinged units for narrow casements,
doors
& French doors or windows.
Some sashes can be lifted off and you can get lift out units for use when you only occasionally need to get to the window.
You can also get cheap diy rolls of secondary glazing from most diy stores