How Double Glazing R-Values Affect Your Heating And Cooling Costs
I’m a practical person and I’m going to keep the introduction simple. The “R-Value” of double-glazing refers to its ability to keep the cold outside in winter, and prevent heat from entering in the summer. I like to call it the temperature Resistance factor although this may irritate a few purists. The actual values are small, as you’ll note from this table:
Glazing R-Value
None, just a simple dry wall 1.99
Single sheet of glass 0.19
Double glazing (air filled) 0.36
Double glazing (argon) 0.53
Not all products that meet these descriptions have the same precise R-Value. For example, the thickness of the glass and the frame materials make a difference. Reputable double glazing manufacturers declare theirs. Stay away from others who are vague, or dodge the issue.
Some double glazing suppliers also mention “U-Values”. To my way of thinking this is a distraction. This is because they are reciprocals of R-Values, in that they refer to the ease with which outside temperature passes through their windows. I’m over with the technical stuff now. Let’s talk about how double glazing efficiency affects your energy bill.
You Can’t Heat Or Cool The Planet
The R-Value of fresh air is low (and the corresponding U-Value high). Note the difference between the air and argon-filled double-glazing in the table. That’s why you close the tent flap when you’re camping on a cold night out under the stars. It’s also the reason why you leave the car windows down a crack in the car park on a hot day.
Manifestly, if you leave your front door open to the elements then the temperature inside and outside will be the same, give or take a degree or two. And that’s regardless of how good your ceiling insulation is, or for that matter whether you have the best double-glazingpossible. You could try turning on the aircon or lighting a fire in the lounge if you liked, but the difference would be strictly localized. You can’t heat or cool the planet. However you can create the cocoon the industry calls a thermally efficient home.
Your Home Is A System
To keep warm or cool it’s necessary to thermally isolate your living space. Key factors include insulated ceilings, windows and doors that fit snugly, and of course decent double-glazing. Omit a single factor and you largely negate the benefits of the others. You keep the windows tightly closed in winter. But how good are they really?
Try This Simple Double Glazing Test
Run your heating or air-conditioning plant until your home has reached your preferred inside temperature, and you’re feeling relaxed and neither hot nor cold. Press the palm of your hand against an inside windowpane. Do you feel a temperature difference? If so, then it’s caused by the outside temperature finding its way into your home through your double-glazing.
The temperature difference tells you that you are losing the battle with the elements. Your heating and cooling plant are working harder than they should, and your energy bill is skyrocketing. You don’t need to establish your double-glazing R-Factor to know you have a problem. Your hand is telling you this. You need to take action!
Improving Your Window R-Factor
A double-glazed window is a system just like the rest of your home. There are a variety of factors that affect its thermal efficiency, including framing material, glass thickness, glazing spacers, quality of the gas inside and so on. Speak to an expert before you rush off and replace your entire double-glazing installation. There are tests that they could do to guide you to the right decision.
Glazing R-Value
None, just a simple dry wall 1.99
Single sheet of glass 0.19
Double glazing (air filled) 0.36
Double glazing (argon) 0.53
Not all products that meet these descriptions have the same precise R-Value. For example, the thickness of the glass and the frame materials make a difference. Reputable double glazing manufacturers declare theirs. Stay away from others who are vague, or dodge the issue.
Some double glazing suppliers also mention “U-Values”. To my way of thinking this is a distraction. This is because they are reciprocals of R-Values, in that they refer to the ease with which outside temperature passes through their windows. I’m over with the technical stuff now. Let’s talk about how double glazing efficiency affects your energy bill.
You Can’t Heat Or Cool The Planet
The R-Value of fresh air is low (and the corresponding U-Value high). Note the difference between the air and argon-filled double-glazing in the table. That’s why you close the tent flap when you’re camping on a cold night out under the stars. It’s also the reason why you leave the car windows down a crack in the car park on a hot day.
Manifestly, if you leave your front door open to the elements then the temperature inside and outside will be the same, give or take a degree or two. And that’s regardless of how good your ceiling insulation is, or for that matter whether you have the best double-glazingpossible. You could try turning on the aircon or lighting a fire in the lounge if you liked, but the difference would be strictly localized. You can’t heat or cool the planet. However you can create the cocoon the industry calls a thermally efficient home.
Your Home Is A System
To keep warm or cool it’s necessary to thermally isolate your living space. Key factors include insulated ceilings, windows and doors that fit snugly, and of course decent double-glazing. Omit a single factor and you largely negate the benefits of the others. You keep the windows tightly closed in winter. But how good are they really?
Try This Simple Double Glazing Test
Run your heating or air-conditioning plant until your home has reached your preferred inside temperature, and you’re feeling relaxed and neither hot nor cold. Press the palm of your hand against an inside windowpane. Do you feel a temperature difference? If so, then it’s caused by the outside temperature finding its way into your home through your double-glazing.
The temperature difference tells you that you are losing the battle with the elements. Your heating and cooling plant are working harder than they should, and your energy bill is skyrocketing. You don’t need to establish your double-glazing R-Factor to know you have a problem. Your hand is telling you this. You need to take action!
Improving Your Window R-Factor
A double-glazed window is a system just like the rest of your home. There are a variety of factors that affect its thermal efficiency, including framing material, glass thickness, glazing spacers, quality of the gas inside and so on. Speak to an expert before you rush off and replace your entire double-glazing installation. There are tests that they could do to guide you to the right decision.