What are Low E and Argon gas windows?

To make our homes warmer, drier, healthier and more energy efficient, the government has increased insulation requirements for any new house applying for building consents after 31 October 2022.

The new requirements lift minimum levels of insultation to make homes more comfortable and easier to heat and cool; the new R-value (thermal resistance rating) requirements apply to roofs, windows, walls, concrete slabs and floors.

If you’re planning to build a new home, make sure your builder is aware of these changes. At Maddren, we’re responding to these new regulations with upgrades to our ceiling insulation and we’ll provide clients with different options for their concrete slab.

How Low E and Argon gas can help

We all know that glass can let heat in and out of your home, so selecting window joinery that moderates that process is another good way of improving your insulation. You may have heard of Low E windows and argon gas and wondered what they are and how they can help.

Low E (low emissivity) is a virtually invisible coating applied to double-glazing and it has two distinct functions: it retains heat and it blocks excessive heat.

In winter months, when heating is being used inside the house, Low E glass reflects warm air back into the house instead of letting it escape through the glass. This results in less energy being required to keep the home warm, thanks to a reduction in heat loss.

In summer months, the Low E coating allows sunlight to pass through while reflecting the heat of the sun back out. This helps the house to stay much cooler than standard double-glazing glass. Low E also reduces the amount of UV light entering the home, so there’ll be no more fading on your carpets or couch.

Argon gas works a little differently, helping to insulate by minimising heat exchange through the window. Delightfully, it can also reduce the possibility of condensation, which we all know can be a bit of a nightmare during the cooler months.

It is great to see the standards for new homes are lifting to protect our health and to achieve higher energy efficiency. It’s important to work with a trusted builder who is familiar with existing building regulations and keeps themselves well educated on any changes.

At Maddren our team receive regular updates and training to ensure every job meets or exceeds the latest building regulations, giving all our clients peace of mind.

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