Double Glazing On The Web

Green building is no longer solely the concern of hippies and eccentrics. Modern design that focuses on functionality as well as increasing efficiency and reducing the impact on the environment is becoming more and more popular.

In an area of outstanding natural beauty such as the South Coast, is it fitting that construction firms, local authorities and private individuals are all taking environmental breakthroughs in building seriously and integrating them into new builds.

Eleven eco-friendly homes have recently been constructed at Poundbury and a similar green scheme is planned of Weymouth.  These new homes will include wood pellet boilers and stoves, heat recovery ventilation systems and rainwater harvesting, with a combined heat and power system capable of providing electricity.

However, Green technologies are not always so cutting edge; energy efficient glazing has been with us for years and can reduce condensation by 80%, cut wasted home energy by up to 20%  and ease the carbon footprint.

To learn more about energy efficient windows click here

Yesterday’s much vaunted Pre-budget report was intended to stimulate the economy by getting us all to dip into our pockets, but will it do so?

This site is, of course, concerned with doors, windows and conservatories - home improvements that not only make your home look better, but also improve it’s energy efficiency, thus bringing it into line with the government’s green agenda.

As Michael Ankers, CEO of the Construction Products Association, so eloquently said in this morning’s Guardian:

Energy efficiency measures for housing are welcome, but at an additional £100m fairly modest, and disappointing that this focuses only on insulation when much could be achieved by support for double glazing and upgrading of central heating boilers.

And really, what is 2.5 pence in the pound worth in real terms when you’re trying to bring your home up to the standards of those government guidelines?

Building A Greener Britain – Transforming Britain’s Housing Stock  is the title of a paper prepared by the Federation of Master Builders.  It was published in July by Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the report labels UK housing among the worst in Europe when it comes to energy efficiency.  Compared to other countries, we do seem to be a bit lacklustre when it comes to ‘green’ issues.  However, the report suggests a tactic which is sure to get us going pale green, if not emerald green.  It calls for a cut in VAT on housing refurbishment from 17.5 per cent to five per cent, council tax rebates to promote energy efficiency, and a review of energy performance certificates to improve accuracy and reliability.  Anything that saves money in this, frankly, dreadful financial climate has got to be good.

It is becoming more and more apparent that, in the not too distant future, the value of your property will become evermore dependent on how ‘green’ or energy saving it is.  In fact, as the much talked about Home Improvement Packs (HIPs) already contain Energy Performance Certificates, the energy performance of your home already contributes to its marketability.

On one carbon calculator site on the web, installing effective double glazing comes very high in the steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home (and, therefore, its marketability).  The only actions that come higher than double glazing involve turning down your central heating thermostat.

So, whether or not you are a committed green campaigner just by ensuring that your doors and windows keep in the warm and keep out the cold, you will be contributing to the green agenda.