What is the least energy efficient element of a home?

Old and inefficient windows are costing you money

The price cap on out-of-contract energy tariffs rose by its biggest ever amount on the 1^st of October this year. If you’re on a standard tariff, it means you need to act now to keep your energy bills down. In this guide, we will be going through the least energy efficient elements of your home and how you can improve them to save you money on your energy bills whilst also helping you to stay warmer.

Did you know that homes can lose up to a staggering 35% of their energy through inefficient windows? With rising energy prices and the expense of heating bills, it’s more important than ever to be energy efficient and work to cut those costs wherever you can. Replacing old or single glazed windows is one of the best ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

It is also worth keeping in mind that windows between 10 – 15 years and older may not be meeting today’s standards and will most likely not meet future standards. Newer windows than homeowners realise should actually be being replaced. If you’re unsure if your windows are as efficient as they should be, talk to us and we’ll be happy to offer our expert advice.

All our windows achieve an A+ rating for the ultimate energy efficiency. Our high-performance double or triple glazing helps to prevent heat from escaping from your home and keep draughts out, whilst also reducing noise. At Wolverhampton, our energy efficient windows could potentially save you hundreds of pounds a year in heating bills whilst keeping your home at a comfortable temperature all year round.

Draughty doors let heat escape and increase your energy bills

Old and inefficient front doors are also main culprits for allowing heat to escape your home, forcing you to turn up the thermostat and spend more money trying to stay warm. With energy costs rising so dramatically, relying on a heating system is the last thing homeowners need. If your door is old and/or damaged, its time to upgrade to something far more energy efficient.

Composite doors are, without question, the most energy efficient and secure on the market. The 44mm thick composite core combines solid engineered timber with modern uPVC materials, made up of 17 laminated layers. This enables our composite doors to achieve U-values of 1.8 W/m²K, exceeding UK building regulations.

With a high-performance composite door, you’ll instantly notice that your home is a more comfortable temperature, as the draughts are kept out and the heat is kept inside. Requiring less energy to heat your home, composite doors are also a sustainable front door choice, reducing your home’s environmental footprint.

You can have a go at building your dream door using our composite door designer here.

Outdated conservatory roofs cause heat loss in the home

Since heat rises, if you have an old polycarbonate conservatory roof, it’s likely heat from your home is being lost through it. Polycarbonate isn’t a great thermal insulator, so it can’t keep the warmth in when temperatures drop. On the other hand, it also can’t keep the sun out, so in the summer you will feel like you’re sitting in the world’s biggest greenhouse!

A modern roof replacement will drastically improve your conservatory’s thermal insulation, providing a comfortable space all year round. At Wolverhampton Glass, we offer custom-made glass, tiled, and solid conservatory roof replacements, accommodating all kinds of glazed extension styles and sizes. Discover all our conservatory roof replacement options today and find the perfect energy efficient solution for your home.

Other elements of your home that are probably not as energy efficient as they could be:

• An old and/or faulty boiler – invest in a boiler service to ensure it’s working at optimum level
• Your washing machine – try washing clothes at a lower temperature to lower your energy bills.
• Your heating – try to avoid relying on your heating system to stay warm. Put on some warmer layers, hang heavy curtains, and keep doors to unused rooms closed to help you stay warm and save money.
• Your loft insulation – is your loft insulated well enough? Since heat rises, insulating your loft effectively could prevent heat escaping through the roof of your home.
• If your house was built from 1920 onwards, there’s a very strong chance you have cavity walls. It is worth getting a professional opinion to see if your walls are insulated or not, and if they aren’t, investing in cavity wall insulation could save you a lot of money on your energy bills. About a third of all the heat lost in an uninsulated home escapes through the walls. By properly insulating cavity walls, you will save energy and cut costs off your heating bill.

Improve your home’s energy efficiency with Wolverhampton Glass

For more information on how to save energy whilst at home, check out the related blogs listed at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, you can talk to a member of our friendly, expert team by calling 01902 773831 or contacting us online.