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SECTION: INTRODUCTION Installing or upgrading double glazed windows can offer significant savings on your energy bills. As much as 18% of your home's heating is lost through draughty, inefficient windows, so replacing your old windows with modern ones is a great home investment that can help offset uncertainty with the price of energy in the future. In this video, we'll look at the costs and benefits of replacing your windows, as well as various options available to you, including window repairs and how you might get financial help to pay for replacement windows. Let's start with the basics: how double glazing works. SECTION: HOW DOES DOUBLE GLAZING WORK? Double glazing uses two panes of glass separated by a layer of argon gas which insulates and makes your home more energy efficient. Argon gas is a poor heat conductor and therefore prevents the heat from escaping - as well as coming in during hot weather; the second pane of glass will also reduce sound. Windows can be customised with different types of glass which can - for example - improve energy efficiency, sound proofing, security, and to filter out sunshine and reduce glare. SECTION: HOW MUCH DOES DOUBLE GLAZING COST? A typical UK home has 10 windows and will cost between 3 and £7,000 to fully double-glaze. There are lots of factors that can affect the price of course, such as the materials that the frames are made from - UPVC is the most-affordable with wood as the most expensive - as well as the size and style of the windows and the type of glass used. SECTION: HOW MUCH CAN I SAVE? If you're replacing single pane windows with double, then you'll see the biggest benefit and can expect to save up to £235 a year on a typical household energy bill, depending on usage and the price you pay for your energy. In the next part of this video, we'll take a look at your options when it comes to choosing the best double glazing for your home. SECTION: CAN YOU DOUBLE GLAZE EXISTING SINGLE-PANE WINDOWS? OR REPLACE JUST THE GLASS IN DOUBLE-GLAZED WINDOWS? It's certainly possible to swap single-pane glass with double glazing; this can be a good option for people living in a period property. It's a specialist service, though, so we would recommend seeking out a local builder if you want to go this way. If you're thinking about replacing just the glass in existing double pane windows, then, yes, this is possible too but not recommended because a window can be damaged in the process. You could lose some of the window's energy-efficiency. It's better to simply replace the whole window - glass and frame. SECTION: IS IT WORTH REPAIRING UPVC WINDOWS? Repairing windows, rather than replacing them, is usually cheaper and is often the best option for traditional homes, where modern frames might ruin the character of a property. Of course this does depend on the issue you're having with a window. Let's take a look at some common double glazing problems. If your window has condensation in between the panes, then this can be fixed by replacing the glass-sealed units, and is unlikely to need a full window replacement. If a window is cracked or broken, then you should get this replaced as soon as possible, as it will compromise your home's security. But, as with the condensation issue, you will only need the glass unit replaced. If water is leaking in through your window, then this is likely to be a problem with a seal and would need to be assessed to see if a replar is possible or a replacement is needed. Over time, UPVC windows can become difficult to open or close, the handle doesn't shut properly, or the lock gets broken. These problems are usually fixable - hinges can be adjusted or new handles installed - but sometimes, where a window has lost shape for example, it will need to be replaced. SECTION: IS IT CHEAPER TO REPLACE ALL WINDOWS AT ONCE? There's no way around it - replacing all your home's windows is expensive - so you may be tempted to replace them in stages and spread the cost over time. While it's certainly possible to do this, there are plenty of benefits for people who can afford to replace all their windows at once. First off, you'll reap the benefit of the energy efficiency of your windows right away, lowering your heating bills more than if you were to replace just a selection. A full set of matching new windows will boost your home's kerb appeal, making it more desirable on the house market. And, finally, companies will often have deals for replacing all your windows at the same time - so this will save you money in the long run. SECTION: WHAT'S BETTER - DOUBLE OR TRIPLE GLAZING? As you might expect, triple glazed windows - where an additional pane is inserted between the two panes in double glazing - gives you more insulation. Triple glazing generally costs around 20% more than double glazing and offers 20%-30% better energy efficiency, which will be reflected in your energy bills. Triple glazing also has a few more benefits over double - such as better noise reduction, they can reduce condensation, are harder to break, and can add more value to your home. That's not to say that double glazing isn't worth it - it's a great option for most use cases. But if you can afford the premium price, then triple glazing will give you the best energy efficiency and save you more money in the long run. SECTION: CAN YOU GET A GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR DOUBLE GLAZING? While there isn't an official government-run double glazing grant scheme, you might be eligible to apply for an energy saving benefits grant called the ECO - the Energy Company Obligation - which can potentially be used for double glazing upgrades. You'll need to be a core group customer under the Warm Home Discount Scheme to qualify. To find out more, Google "Energy Company Obligation scheme" and click on the Ofgem link. If you don't qualify for the ECO, and live in England, Scotland or Wales, you can apply for the Green Deal loan scheme. While this must be paid back, it can be used for a variety of energy efficiency upgrades including boiler replacements, solar panels, and double glazing. SECTION: OUTRO We hope you've found this video useful. For more information on double glazing, go to www.fmb.org.uk/homepicks/windows or, if you're ready to replace your windows with double glazing and get a quote from our trusted partners, click on the button below this video.