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the solar heat gain. function of these windows. Temperature is
This allows a property controlled because of advances in glazing
to take optimum efficiency due to innovation in the development
advantage of natural of Low-E glass. Its thin metallic coating to the
heating during Autumn internal surface of Low-E glass, within the
and Spring. airspace, keeps the heat from radiators during
The third factor to winter inside the room, whilst reflecting solar
take into consideration radiation back to the outside during hot
is air leakage through summer days which keeps the room cooler.
the window – this is Soft-coated Low-E is even more effective than
commonly shown as conventional Low-E glass and is being specified
L50. The air leakage by those within the industry looking for the
can make a huge or a greatest thermal performance from their windows.
minor difference to the When making windows more energy efficient,
window performance, the insulated glass unit (IGU) has to be carefully
depending on the considered. Inert gases such as Argon and
quality of the windows. Krypton are being widely used between insulated
For high quality glass units to provide even greater efficiency and
windows, air leakage the resulting windows are making a significant
makes little difference to difference to the lives of many building
The BFRC rating is determined by taking into energy performance, yet for lower quality occupiers, both domestic and commercial.
account three factors: the whole window U-value, windows, the impact can be significant. When you consider the carbon savings and
the whole window g-value (the measure of solar When the BFRC Rating is calculated using energy efficiency benefits, it really does make a
gain) and the air leakage through the window. the Uwindow Gwindow and L50, then the result huge difference.
Just as important with the rise in the earth’s is called the energy index. Fitting energy efficient windows goes a long
temperature and the generally warmer climatic We have carried out extensive research and way towards helping building owners and
conditions, is the solar heat gain factor for the development into how to manufacture timber occupiers to reduce their energy usage, save on
whole window. This measures how well a product windows with the lowest possible U-values, but fuel bills and do their bit for the environment.
blocks heat caused by sunlight. The Solar Factor that are still commercially viable. The ever tightening building regulations and the
is expressed as a number between zero and one, These windows are proving popular with requirements of the Code for Sustainable
which is known as the g-value and the lower this developers and self builders as they are helping Homes have further enforced the need for
value the less the solar gain. them to meet the requirements of current building careful consideration of the type of windows
Solar heat is reflected, absorbed and regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes. specified. Never before has specifying the right
transmitted by a window. The ideal situation is Achieving better temperature control windows been so important in reducing whole
that the window absorbs some, but not all of throughout both summer and winter is a vital building running costs.
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