If you’re in the UK and selling or letting out a property, you must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which will tell anyone using the building how expensive it will be to light and heat, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are most likely to be.
The certificate also outlines what the energy efficiency rating could be if improvements are made, and how to enhance the rating cost-effectively. An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
At the same time, energy prices have gone up more than 100% in the last decade, and this has hit many consumers hard.
So it’s in everyone’s interests to make their homes as energy efficient as possible, and that goes for conservatories as much as anything else.
Energy efficiency means a smaller carbon footprint, fewer draughts and cold spots and less condensation, as well as lower energy bills.
What’s more, for a conservatory to really add value to your property, and for it be genuinely comfortable all year round, it should be energy efficient – otherwise you may find yourself avoiding your conservatory during the colder months.
You may not be aware that more than a fifth of heat is lost through doors and windows. (That’s according to the Energy Saving Trust.)
Consider these issues from the outset, with the materials and design of your conservatory. For example, a north-facing model must be properly heated, while a south-facing one will need adequate ventilation.
At the same time, energy efficiency glass provides a number of benefits, so can be a worthwhile investment, whether you are building an extension from scratch or improving an existing one. (And glass is generally considered a better option than the polycarbonate alternatives.) It retains heat, so you stay warmer in winter, saving money on bills, and cooler in summer.
Energy efficient glass usually works by having two panes of glazing filled with a safe gas in the gap between them to enhance insulation and prevent warm air from escaping the conservatory.
At Worthing Windows, we supply conservatories from Lancing to Shoreham and beyond. Talk to us today about how we can provide you with an energy efficient new home improvement, or enhance an existing one.