Read our guide to how window restrictors can enhance your home’s energy rating/efficiency.
With the recent rises in energy costs and increased awareness and concern about climate change, householders and landlords are looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Read on to find out how window restrictors can help…
Ventilation ‘v’ Heat Retention
The Covid pandemic alerted us all to the importance of good ventilation, especially during the autumn and winter. The recent sharp increases in energy prices has made many of us more conscious of not letting warmth leak from our homes. This leaves us pondering how to balance the need for adequate ventilation against the need to consider home energy efficiency.
Now that we are all spending more on heating our homes we are less inclined to open the windows when someone in the household has cold or virus symptoms. The benefits of adequate ventilation go further than virus control though. Opening windows helps to reduce the humidity levels in your home and helps to prevent condensation and mould from developing, especially when drying clothes indoors, after a shower or after cooking.
A home with higher humidity is more expensive to heat, so leaving windows completely closed all the time can be a false economy.
If you have condensation on your windows that’s a sign that you should open the windows to reduce the humidity levels in your property. Indeed it is advisable to leave bathroom windows open for at least 10 minutes after showering and bathing in order to clear excess moisture from the atmosphere.
Non Bill-Payers
Another issue that homeowners have is members of the household who don’t pay the energy bill leaving windows wide open! Many parents have experienced the frustration of their teenagers leaving bedroom and bathroom windows wide open while the heating is on.
How window restrictors can help
Installing window restrictors improves the energy efficiency of your homes by enabling homeowners to balance ventilation with heat retention. Windows with these devices can be opened just enough to allow for a sufficient amount of airflow, while also preventing windows from opening too wide and letting in uncomfortable draughts, decreasing the reliance on artificial heating.
Window restrictors attach to the window to prevent it from opening more than 100mm. They are low cost and very simple to install and can be fitted to any kind of window including UPVC, wood, sash and Velux windows.
If the main challenge in your home is other people leaving windows wide open choose a key operated option and keep the key secure. Or you could choose a Perma cable window restrictor option that can’t be overridden without removing screws. If you want to be able to easily over-ride the restriction and open the window fully on warmer, drier days then choose a Push & Twist operated cable window restrictor
Whichever window restrictor you choose you can be confident that not only have you improved the energy efficiency of your home but that you have also improved the safety and security of your home. This is because window restrictors also prevent falls and stop burglars from being able to force a window open.
Additional ways to improve window energy efficiency
As well as fitting window restrictors, here are some additional simple ways in which you can improve the energy efficiency of your windows.
Drying Clothes: If possible avoid hanging wet washing to dry inside the house, especially on radiators, because the moisture from them escapes into the air. Instead, put them outside to dry whenever possible.
Dehumidifier: Investing in a dehumidifier can help to draw some excess moisture out of the air.
Thermal Lined Curtains: Thermal linings on curtains help to keep the warmth inside.
Seal window gaps: If you have gaps between your windows and the frames, seal them up using either silicone sealant or a specialist interior filler or compression strips.
We hope this guide to how window restrictors can help to enhance your home’s energy rating/efficiency has helped.
