Energy Efficiency
How integral blinds can be part of an energy efficient home
Ian Short , MD of Uni-Blinds ® manufacturer Morley Glass , explains how integral blinds can play an important role in reducing energy use in the home without compromise .
High gas and electricity costs have catapulted energy efficiency up the priority list of many homeowners , making it key to home improvement buying decisions like never before .
Topping up loft insulation and upgrading the boiler may often be regarded as the obvious steps to take , but for those of us working in the window industry , we know the huge benefits that today ’ s highly insulated windows and doors can deliver too . And that ’ s a powerful sell at this time , particularly for homeowners who are looking to replace early PVCu windows and doors that were fitted 30 , 20 or even 10 years ago .
The improvements we ’ ve seen in the insulating qualities of glass over recent decades means that double glazed units going into windows and doors today will retain heat in the home significantly better than older units would have . Factor in the superior thermal properties of the latest PVCu , aluminium and hybrid window systems and there are potentially big energy savings to be made .
But it is not just heating that homeowners will be looking to reduce – money spent on lighting , cooling ( for those who have invested in air-conditioning units ) and everything else electrical will also be influencing home improvement choices . So what can integral blinds add and why are they an appealing addition to windows and doors at this time ?
Available in Venetian and pleated styles , integral blinds are permanently encapsulated within a double or triple glazed insulating glass unit ( IGU ). In the case of Uni-Blinds ® integral blinds , they are always manufactured to order by Morley Glass , which gives the opportunity to specify glass with higher insulating capabilities .
Even though our standard glass , low-e Planitherm Total +, will deliver heat insulation improvements versus previous generation sealed units , Planitherm One is an attractive upgrade option . The clue to its thermal performance is in its name – 1.0 W / m 2 K – which goes beyond what the Building Regulations demand , even the 2022 Part L update .
The blinds themselves also reflect heat back into the room when closed at night to further reduce heat loss when it ’ s cold outside . Both Venetian and pleated Uni-Blinds ® integral blinds are designed to reflect heat in the closed position , and their easy manual and automated control systems make closing them hassle-free . This is the case when raising the blinds too , so there is no barrier to maximising natural light transmission during the daytime , which could mean less need for lights to be switched on .
Integral blinds also work to reduce summertime overheating , which has been one of the reasons why more UK homeowners are investing in air conditioning units . Whilst less than 5 % of our homes are equipped with such a system , the 2022 heatwave and predictions of warmer summers in future due to climate change will inevitably see more air-con installations , leading to greater electricity use .
To assist , there are several glass upgrades available for Uni-Blinds ® which offer advanced solar control properties . Saint-Gobain COOL-LITE SKN 176 II and 183 can both be used to cut excessive heat
from strong sunlight really effectively – without compromising heat insulation in winter .
With many homeowners keen to cut electricity consumption throughout their home , where does that leave those who also like the convenience of electronically controlled blinds ? The answer lies with the Uni-Blinds ® W Smart , a solar powered motorised integral blind .
W Smart is powered by a rechargeable battery that takes the vast majority of its energy from the sun . A small photovoltaic panel is mounted on the exterior window or door frame – it converts sunlight into electricity to charge the batteries which then power the motor . Batteries can also be topped up by mains electricity via a USB lead should this ever be required .
W Smart gives the energy conscious homeowner the best of both worlds – a smarter , automated window or door blind to suit their tastes without adding to electricity use .
To find out more about Uni-Blinds ® integral blinds , which are always available in lead times as short as 10-12 days when ordered by 10am on Thursdays with complimentary nationwide delivery , visit www . morleyglass . co . uk
32 NOVEMBER 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM