High performance with high-end aesthetics
Jo Trotman, marketing manager at The Residence Collection, discusses the effectiveness of energy efficient windows.
With the average energy bill in the UK estimated to be £175 per month, energy efficient products have become a key focus to help satisfy homeowner concerns surrounding rising costs and energy bills.
In a recent survey conducted by The Residence Collection, we found that 93% of people looking to buy a home would consider paying above the asking price if a property had energy efficient upgrades, such as solar panels, a new boiler and triple glazed windows.
This shows us the magnitude of homeowner priorities when it comes to energy efficiency, and the need for the fenestration industry to continue on this journey to support homeowners as well as meet their own green credentials as a business.
But it isn’t just modern homes that are facing the brunt of rising energy bills. Homeowners living in heritage homes or properties built within conservation areas can face the largest costs. While PVC-U windows can last more than 20 years if installed and maintained correctly, timber frames can deteriorate over time from extreme weather creating rot, damage and drafts. This poor functionality means even higher energy bills for homeowners.
However, the industry received positive news at the beginning of 2024, when the Government announced a review of the barriers that homeowners face when future-proofing heritage homes.
This is a welcome review for the many homeowners living in older properties, and it’s estimated that with the appropriate energy saving measures, owners of buildings built before 1919 could save approximately £428 per year on their energy costs.
Once the barriers have been reviewed, properly installed and high performing windows will be key to bringing the energy costs down for owners of period properties.
However, it’s vital that installers are aware of the additional risks associated with older properties, including the possibility of additional structural or remedial work that might be required, whether a stone or brick match is possible for the exterior and if the existing lintels can handle the additional weight of a high performance window with double or triple glazing.
As an industry, we must continue to encourage high-quality installations in these types of properties, so we can support the preservation of these homes while being a part of the solution to improve energy efficiency.
Here at The Residence Collection, all three of our window systems (R7, R9 and R2) are ahead of the curve when it comes to energy efficiency ratings. Each window system has an A++ energy rating as standard, with U-values as low as 0.74W/m²K for triple glazing and 1.2W/m²K for double glazing.
And with Future Homes Standard 2025 regulations stating new builds must have a U-value of 1.2W/m²K or below, The Residence Collection is already surpassing this guideline.
Furthermore, The Residence Collection understands the need to prioritise energy efficiency while maintaining the aesthetics of a property particularly those within conservation areas or with a historic background.
With up to 26 colourway options available across all three systems, installers can meet the traditional requirements of a heritage property while also meeting the British Building Regulation requirements. They really are the intelligent choice.
The Residence Collection has a dedicated network of UK based installers of all sizes. Find out how to join The Residence Collection’s installer network at: https://www.residencecollectiontrade.co.uk/installers.php