Smart homes have smart owners who understand that saving energy is an increasingly important issue not only for the environment but also for their wallets.

The first step to a more energy efficient smart home is insulation and windows are the first thing to do.

Double-glazed windows are an evolution from older technologies that works perfectly and can save you up to 30 percent per year in energy bills.

Double-glazed windows (also known as Insulated Glass Units), consist of two or more panels of 3mm-thick glass separated by a 6mm-thick layer of air or gas, and it’s this sealed-in air or gas that acts as an insulator. Heat transfers through glass, and double-glazed windows slowdown that heat transference, reducing the amount of heat escaping in winter and creeping in during summer through the windows. Your home will passively maintain more comfortable living conditions, which means less reliance on artificial heating and cooling, resulting in a reduction of energy costs.

Double-glazed windows can be retrofitted to your home, and there are companies in Australia who specialise in converting single glazed windows into double-glazed by adding a second layer of glass on the inside of existing windows. This is a particularly useful method if you live in a strata unit or heritage unit where you can’t touch the existing windows.

Standard windows in Australia are made from a single sheet of glass about 3mm thick, which isn’t enough to provide noise insulation. While using thicker glass can provide some additional noise reduction, double-glazing is best for shielding your home from noise. However, variations on the standard double-glazed windows can provide more thorough noise reduction. Thicker panes of glass, a greater gap between the two panes and using laminated glass will provide optimum noise reduction.

If noise reduction is a bigger concern to you than energy costs, you can retrofit your current windows with acrylic ones installed with magnets, with an air gap of 100mm. If done properly, this can reduce noise by up to 75 per cent.

Other benefits of double-glazed windows

Added security

Double glazed windows are much more difficult to break into and are great for discouraging intruders.

Increase Property Value

Double glazed windows can add easily 10% to the value of your house and be a major selling point for potential buyers.

UV protection

Double glazed windows have unique properties that allow them to deflect UV rays, which means that by installing then you protect not only the flooring, the furnishings, and the fabrics of your home but most importantly yourself.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Double glazed windows are friendlier to the environment.

 

This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens.