Protecting against the cost of energy
By Ben Brocklesby, director at Origin
Over the last year, global events have led to a rapid increase in wholesale energy prices. Despite initially being protected from any knock-on effect, UK homeowners experienced a 12% rise in the cost of gas and electricity in October 2021. This was followed by an even bigger increase of 54% in April 2022.
Despite the introduction of a new Government Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), the average household now pays £2,500 a year on energy. Prices are at a record high, forcing families to spend an extra £700 on their annual bills.
It’s therefore no wonder that homeowners, developers, and architects are searching for innovative ways to save money and protect against the rising cost of energy.
Installers and glazing professionals can support them by advising on the most thermally efficient systems for their homes, developments, or projects. Whether investing in windows and doors that meet building regulations in a new build property or upgrading to more energy efficient systems in their existing homes, it’s also important that thermal efficiency doesn’t compromise design.
Future Homes Standard
Introduced in Spring 2022, Part L of the Government’s Future Homes Standard marked one of the biggest changes to the energy performance of glazing systems to date. Part of a wider strategy to make all new homes carbon neutral by 2025, it means that windows and doors must meet lower U-Value targets to pass the latest building regulations.
In new homes, the target for windows and glazed doors is now 1.2 W/m2K, while replacement systems require a U-Value of 1.4 W/m2K. The Origin Home range exceeds all the latest energy regulations, ensuring that rooms stay cool in summer and warm in winter. In fact, the Origin Premium Window (OW-80) achieves an ultra-low U-Value of 0.8 W/m2K when combining triple glazing with industry-leading Aerogel inside the thermal break.
Installers can empower customers to make an informed decision by discussing U-Values and explaining how they are calculated and what to look for.
Efficiency without compromise
In Europe, it is common for houses to have small windows to stop them becoming too hot in summer. However, this goes against the preferred style of most UK homeowners. Large expanses of glass and big windows that let in an abundance of natural light are high on their agenda, but more glass doesn’t have to mean increased energy loss.
Our in-house R&D team has introduced clever design features to the Origin Home range to ensure thermal efficiency can exist alongside superior style.
We were the first in the industry to offer Aerogel in our window as an optional upgrade. Used in spacecraft and spacesuits, Aerogel is the world’s best insulator and can achieve unbeatable energy ratings.
Our bi-folding and sliding doors have also been rigorously tested against extreme weather conditions for use in international markets. This includes air permeability, water tightness, wind resistance, and even hurricane testing. Sophisticated weathertight seals and thermal polyamide break barriers stop heat and the elements transferring from the exterior frame through to the inside. Training is also offered to our partners to ensure our systems are fitted correctly to avoid draughts.
As energy efficiency remains a top priority, installers can support homeowners, developers, and architects by partnering with a manufacturer offering the lowest U-Values, alongside the highest standard of quality, functionality, and style.
