UK households who have double glazing handed up to £500 off energy bill
UK households who have double glazing have been issued a major update over just how much they stand to save amid the Cost of Living crisis. The Centre for Sustainable Energy has warned new windows saving you money is a "classic energy saving myth".
A spokesman for CSE, which supports people in tackling the climate emergency and cold homes facing higher energy bills said: "Windows are a problem and cold draughts are noticeable. They also said that double glazing is better at retaining heat than single glazing.
But an energy expert added: "Out of the heat you lose from your home, you actually lose about 35% through the walls, about 25% through the roof, and only about 10% through the windows. So getting your loft and cavity walls insulated will make a much bigger difference, and it’s also likely to be far cheaper than getting double glazing.
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"We’re not saying that double glazing is a waste of money, but it’s better to make sure you’ve insulated the loft and walls first." Heat loss in a house happens in a variety of locations across your home. “Walls, doors, floors, windows, and your roof are all the main escape routes for warmth," explains Andy Simms, building expert at MyBuilder.com, "especially if they are not properly insulated."
“It can be very hard to put a number on how much heat escapes your property," says Andy, "however getting a recent energy performance certificate to grade your property would give you a good idea. When it comes to knowing how to reduce heat loss in a home," he adds, "it's all about identifying weak spots in the building and tackling them one by one to make your home energy-efficient, so it's warm in winter and cooler in summer.”
Households are wasting around £500 a year on energy bills because of inadequate, poor or aged insulation, it has been warned.