| One sure way to add value to your home is to | | | | In these days of energy and environment |
| install attractive double glazed units; these will | | | | concerns, it may be worth mentioning that solar |
| lower your heating bills which will increase the | | | | radiation can still be encouraged with IGUs. For this |
| desirability of your property. | | | | you have to order special glass called Low-E glass. |
| It may also get you into the 'green home' section, | | | | Low E stands for low emissivity and it allows solar |
| and then the environmentally aware will be | | | | radiation to enter through the glass. Inside the |
| interested and more buyers will come to view | | | | unit, there is a thin coating that reflects thermal |
| your house. | | | | radiation and allows solar radiation to enter the |
| Double glazing is also commonly referred to as | | | | room. This means the heat loss is protected but |
| IGU which stands for Double Glass (or Glazing) | | | | your room can still be warmed by sunshine. |
| Unit. In Europe they are called DGU and referred | | | | It may surprise you to know that in some areas, |
| to as double glazed units, or double glazing. | | | | the Government may be interested in your |
| There is no mystery about the way insulating or | | | | double glazing ideas! For instance, if you have sash |
| double glazing works; we could liken it to the way | | | | windows, or live in a conservation area, you may |
| that a feather duvet works! Between the body | | | | need permission to change your windows. |
| temperature warmth in a bed and the cold air in a | | | | If you live in a sunny area you can install IGUs |
| room is a layer of feathers. The secret is that | | | | that are tinted to cut down on sun glare. The tint |
| the feathers are holding a layer of air between | | | | is not enough to darken your view, but it will save |
| you and the room. This air has a buffeting effect, | | | | on your air conditioning bills. |
| and keeps the warm air and the cold air | | | | The cost of installing insulated windows is not |
| separated. | | | | cheap, but if you approach the change with |
| This is how double glazing works, the glass is just | | | | prudence, you could actually offset the expense |
| ordinary glass, but there are two sheets of glass | | | | over time by saving on your future heating and |
| and the buffeting air layer is contained in between | | | | cooling bills. As a possible 30% of heat loss can be |
| the glass sheets. In very cold places there is such | | | | escaping through your windows, some of this |
| a thing as triple glass units! | | | | expense could be re-couped pretty quickly! |