Furthermore, improving the energy efficiency of your home is good for the environment. And by implementing some changes, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and do your part in curbing global warming. Here are 5 tips to help you get started: 

Start with your heater

Space heaters consume more electricity than any other home appliance, and if you want to reduce your consumption, that’s the logical place to start. You can improve the energy efficiency of your heater by carrying out regular maintenance checks on them. This needs to be done by a professional and an annual check should do the trick. However, every three months, you need to replace the filters to help the heater work better and consume less energy. 

Get some energy-saving light fixtures

Getting energy-saving bulbs is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to reduce your home’s electricity consumption. Just by switching from incandescent light bulbs to LEDs, you can reduce how much energy your bulbs consume by about 75%. Furthermore, fixtures made using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are designed to last much longer (over 25,000 hours) than the filament-based ones (1,000 hours), so you end up saving money over time. 

Seal all leaks 

If your home is not sealed tightly, you’ll lose heat or cold through the loose spaces. That means your heater and air cooling system have to work harder to regulate the temperature indoors. This leads to higher energy consumption. You can do a quick test now by holding a candle around the edges of your door or windows. If the flame flickers, you’re losing heat/cold. To solve this, get some caulking and weatherstripping material to seal the leaks.

Regulate the temperature with a smart thermostat

If used correctly, a smart thermostat can significantly reduce the cooling and heating costs of your home. These devices can be programmed to understand your habits and subsequently, adjust how cold or hot your home is based on your needs. For instance, if you usually turn down the heat just before you go to bed at 9:30 pm, after some time, the thermostat will start doing it for you automatically. And since it can be controlled from a smartphone, you can easily change the setting if you need to. 

Install energy-efficient windows

One long-term solution that homes in Europe are starting to adopt is the use of energy-efficient windows. These fixtures are very effective for reducing electricity usage and they ensure you don’t lose any heat during winter, or cold during summer. Additionally, they are made with high-quality material, from frame to glass, and the best ones prevent UV rays from penetrating your home. These windows are also stylish and aesthetically pleasing, so your home won’t lose any of its curb appeals. 

If you live in the Algarve region of Portugal and need to install energy-efficient windows, TJ Projects is a leading supplier and installer in the area. To discuss your renovation needs or get an estimate, call +351 918 348 898 or send an email to info@tj-projects.com. 

The post 5 Tips to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home appeared first on TJ Projects.

There are 2 main options to consider when picking windows for your home: regular or energy-saving. To make it easier for you to make the right choice, we’ve compared both window types based on functionality, durability, energy efficiency, and costs.  Read on!

The added functionality that energy-saving windows provide

When it comes to functionality, energy-saving windows are a clear choice. Most regular windows were designed to do the basics: protect the home from harsh weather, provide security, and improve the aesthetic outlook of the building. Some high-end regular windows may provide some added functionality, but nothing compared to their energy-saving counterparts. 

Energy-saving windows have Low-E glass that protects your home from UV rays, reducing how quickly your paintings, carpet, and furniture fade. They offer better temperature control, give your home better soundproofing, and reduce your carbon footprint. And all these are in addition to the basic functionality that regular windows provide. 

Are energy-saving windows more durable than regular windows? 

Regular windows are built to last for 15 to 20 years, depending on how they are used and maintained. Well-maintained windows may last for longer than 20 years before they need to be replaced. 

Similarly, the best energy-saving windows are crafted with superior materials including aluminum and PVCu. Aluminum windows have an average lifespan of 45 years and PVCu frames are known to last for up to 35 years. 

Which window type is more energy-efficient? 

Regular windows provide some measure of energy efficiency, especially when they are new. At this stage, the window frames are still sturdy and the weather seals offer adequate insulation. As they grow older, however, they start to grow less efficient, and you lose heat and cold. 

Energy-saving windows retain their efficiency over a longer period. And they are built with materials that optimize their energy-saving capacity. In addition to high-quality frames and durable weather seals, they are also fitted with low emissivity glass that reduces how much solar heat passes through your windows. 

As a result, the windows reduce how much heat escapes from your home in the winter and how much heat penetrates during the hot summer days. This regulates the ambient temperature of your home, keeping it at an optimal level no matter how hot or cold it is outside. 

How expensive are energy-saving windows VS regular windows? 

Generally, energy-saving windows are more expensive than regular ones. And from everything you’ve seen above, there is a good reason for this. However, with the former, you save up a lot more over the lifespan of the window. 

For example, if your window lasts for as long as the 35/40 years mentioned above, shaving 30% off your energy costs every year will save you a lot more than you would save buying regular windows today. 

Final Note

If you are in the market for windows, you now have the details to make an informed choice. Energy-saving windows last longer, look better and provide you with more functionality. They also reduce your monthly energy costs and increase the value of your home. 

If you live around Almancil and need energy-efficient windows for your home, send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com. 

The post Picking the Right Window for Your Home: Energy-Saving VS Regular Windows appeared first on TJ Projects.

What do you know about energy-efficient windows anyway? Are you aware that they can help you save ~30% of your total heating and cooling energy? Or that they can increase the air quality in your house?

If you’re not familiar with energy-efficient windows and the advantages they offer, you’ll find everything you need to know below:

The components of energy-efficient windows

All the parts of a window contribute to its energy performance, from the frame to the glass and the other components. In energy-efficient windows, all the components have been designed to manage heat optimally and reduce energy consumption. Here is how the parts combine:

Low emissivity (Low-E) glass

Low-E glass reduces how much solar heat passes through your window without interfering with the light. So, you get as much light as possible from the sun but your house doesn’t get excessively hot during the summer. And during the cold winters, low-e glass reduces how much heat escapes, keeping your home exactly as hot as you prefer.

High-quality window frames

Window frames that offer strong thermal performance are the best companions for Low-E glass. Timber, composite aluminum, and uPVC are used in energy-efficient windows because they outperform standard aluminum.

Strong weather seals

Strong seals are required to block the cracks and gaps around the frames of a window. Some energy-efficient windows use compression seals to ensure that hot or cool air doesn’t escape from your home.

The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) is used to rate the energy performance of various window types. It ranges from 0-10 stars, and the more stars your window has, the higher its energy efficiency.

Additionally, some window designs offer better performance than others, with double-hung, casement, and picture windows among the most energy-efficient.

The benefits of installing energy-efficient windows

Are you considering getting these windows for your home construction or renovation? In addition to getting a style upgrade, you stand to enjoy the following benefits:

1. Reduced costs: better performance from your windows means you lose less heat (or cold) and save a bundle on energy costs. Energy-efficient windows also require fewer maintenance checks, saving you more money. 
2. Better temperature control: high-performance windows give you more control over the temperature in your home, and you can eliminate hot or cold spots. During the summer, you can keep more cold air in, and in winter, you can reduce heat loss.
3. Protection from UV rays: the Low-E glass in energy-efficient windows protects against UV rays from the sun. This significantly reduces how much your furniture, rugs, carpet, paintings, and fabrics fade.
4. Increased soundproofing: due to increased insulation, energy-efficient windows reduce how much noise filters into and out of your home.
5. Reduced carbon emissions: by making it possible for your heater and air conditioner to perform more efficiently, these windows help you reduce your carbon footprint.

On a final note: don’t underestimate the importance of a professional installation. The most energy-efficient window won’t perform optimally if it’s not installed correctly. Work with skilled specialists to ensure you get the most out of your windows.

If your home is in Portugal, we can supply you with the highest quality energy-efficient windows, and we have a team of professionals on hand to install the windows for you. For more information or to make inquiries, send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com.

The post Energy-Efficient Windows: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on TJ Projects.