You want to change your windows, but you're afraid you won't fit inbudget? Building a house and wondering where you can save money? Want to reduce your electricity and heating bills? Our "anti-crisis" tips and recommendations from manufacturers will help you. The times of glazing everything at once "turnkey" are over. And it's not just about the crisis and the desire to save money. The modern philosophy of designing living spaces suggests a more individual and practical approach. And this can and should be used. Recently, plastic windows have become much lighter, quieter, more reliable, and most importantly - smarter. Their ability to adapt to different conditions allows us to make the best choice and save money without losing quality.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows into the House":— Firstly, high-quality windows that reliably protect us from street noise and winter cold are not necessarily expensive. Even the most renowned manufacturers have “budget” lines. For example, Blitz windows from Rehau — famous German quality at a very reasonable price. Secondly, it is not necessary to install windows with the maximum profile width and glass thickness everywhere. The choice depends on the set of functions that you will need in a particular room. Therefore, first of all, you need to decide where maximum heat and sound insulation is essential for you, and where you can get by with “small means”.
Glazing Planning
If you are seriously going to insulate andglazing a balcony or loggia, a balcony block with a door that will separate it from the main room, can be simple and budget-friendly - windows on the balcony itself will almost certainly be enough to protect from both noise and cold. If you prefer "cold" glazing, the protection of the main room should be more serious, but still not maximum - the balcony structure will take on some of the functions here too.
In rooms with windows facing a quiet areacourtyard, you can save on soundproofing. And in brick or monolithic houses with thick walls and good central heating - on the thickness of the profile: there will certainly be enough reliable economy class systems.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows into the House":— In good city apartments with windows facing south, 60-type profile systems are usually sufficient. The exception is a busy highway under the windows and the need for additional sound insulation, as well as rooms intended for small children. A separate house, twin house or townhouse with its own boiler room is another matter. Here, you should not save on windows — you need to install the most energy-efficient designs: multi-chamber profiles no less than 70-type or 80-type and double-glazed windows with additional properties. In the end, this will cost less due to subsequent savings on utility bills.
Smart Windows
With a reasonable approach, the window itself canbecome a serious source of savings and improved quality of life. How? It is through windows and balcony structures that most of the heat is lost in winter and autumn. This issue is especially acute in private homes, where every extra degree results in additional expenses. A good multi-chamber profile can reduce losses to 70-75 percent. In Europe, the ability of a window system to save heat is now considered one of the main consumer characteristics. We pay little attention to this yet. And in vain.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows into the House":— The more effectively the window retains heat, the more you can save. And not only with the help of the profile. But also with the help of the double-glazed window. Due to its low thermal conductivity, it is the glass that is the most vulnerable part of the window to frost. To avoid heat loss, a thin layer of silver is applied to its surface. For example, Solar glass “works” according to this principle. Such glass is called low-emission. It reflects most of the heat from the heaters back into the room, but freely transmits sunlight. The installation of such structures pays for itself in about two years. And then the windows directly begin to save their owners money.
This is in winter.In summer, "smart windows" help optimize the indoor climate by reflecting excess ultraviolet radiation and save us money spent on air conditioning. This is especially important for houses with "panoramic" glazing on the sunny side - in summer, a "smart" double-glazed window will not only protect household members from the heat, but also the interior from fading. If there are few windows and most of them face north, look for designs that let in the maximum amount of light. They will help you reduce your electricity bills.
If there are already windows
It is believed that at the current level of developmentIt is impossible to build a house with zero energy consumption in Russian climate conditions using technologies. Another thing is a "passive house", that is, a building that lives mainly due to its internal resources. Attempts to build such in the central part of Russia have already been made and have shown quite decent results.
Energy efficient house Polygon Lab
Energy efficient house Polygon Lab
Energy efficient house Polygon Lab
Energy efficient house Polygon Lab Our opinion:— Designers claim that the average cost of heating, lighting, hot water and all utility services for a 100-120 sq. m. cottage built according to the “passive house” standards will be no more than 2,500 rubles per month, provided that the tenant has sufficient environmental culture. That is, if the person living in the house does not forget to turn off the lights and water that they do not use, separate the garbage, turn on the generator, etc. Savings are achieved not least due to translucent structures placed on the cardinal points (the sunny, southern side “opens” as much as possible, and the northern side, on the contrary, less) and equipped with modern double-glazed windows that save energy and protect the house from overheating.
This technology is quite accessible and can be usedany consumer can do it now. It is enough to decide on the set of functions that you need and call a consultant-measurer. Changing a glass unit without replacing a profile is a quick and clean procedure. It will not take much time and effort. But it can help save a lot of money later.
