When it comes to energy saving and sustainability, an often underestimated but fundamentally important step is replacement of fixtures. This intervention can have a significant impact on the energy class of a building, improving not only energy efficiency but also living comfort.
But what is the actual improvement that can be expected? And what are the factors to consider to maximize the benefits of this choice?
In this article, we will focus on the key role that windows and doors play in the energy efficiency of homes, exploring how their replacement can actually translate into a leap in energy class.
What are energy classes?
Energy classes constitute an evaluation system that aims to quantify the energy efficiency of a building, offering a clear picture of its environmental impact and its performance in terms of energy consumption.
This system categorizes buildings into classes, from A4, indicating almost zero energy structures, up to G, which identifies those with the highest energy consumption.
The determination of the energy class of a building is done throughBEE and is based on a comparison between its energy performance and that of a standardized reference model, considering various parameters such as thermal insulation, the efficiency of the systems and the quality of the fixtures.
This evaluation is fundamental not only for those who intend to buy or rent a property, but also to guide renovation choices towards interventions capable of optimizing living comfort while reducing energy costs.
How many energy classes are earned by replacing windows and doors?
Replacing fixtures can be a key intervention to improve the energy efficiency of a building, but how much this actually contributes to the jump in energy class varies based on various factors.
A significant change can be observed when moving from old and ineffective fixtures to modern, highly efficient solutions, which they drastically reduce heat losses. However, the number of energy classes gained will depend not only on the quality of the fixtures chosen but also on the integration of these with other building systems, such as wall insulation and the efficiency of the heating and cooling systems.
It is important to underline that the class increase is never guaranteed a priori and requires a specific energy assessment, conducted by professionals in the sector, which takes into account the peculiarities of the building and the local regulations in force.
In some cases, replacing fixtures alone may not be enough to achieve a significant improvement, requiring additional interventions to maximize the effectiveness of the energy upgrade.
What should the fixtures look like to increase the energy class?
To effectively contribute to increasing the energy class of a building, the selected fixtures must incorporate a series of advanced design features.
Firstly, it is essential that they offer excellent thermal insulation, allowing heat loss to be minimized in winter and overheating to be contained in summer. This result is achieved through the use of low-emissivity glass and frames designed for interrupt thermal bridges. At the same time, it is essential to guarantee good air tightness to avoid infiltrations that could compromise the energy efficiency of the building.
Water resistance also plays a crucial role, as fixtures must effectively protect against rain and humidity, preserving structural integrity and internal comfort.
From the point of view of durability and maintenance, it is important to choose materials that resist environmental stress over time, maintaining their insulating performance unchanged.
Finally, to be sure of making an informed choice, it is useful to prefer fixtures that have obtained energy certifications from recognized bodies, a guarantee of their ability to improve the overall energy efficiency of the building.
Considering these aspects when choosing fixtures can make the difference in whether or not you achieve the desired energy saving and living comfort objectives.
How to increase by 2 energy classes: what alternatives are there?
Increasing the energy class of your home by two levels is possible through simple interventions. In addition to replacing windows, there are several strategies that can be adopted to significantly improve the energy performance of a building:
- Installation of a thermal coat
The application of an external insulation system and the addition of insulation to the roof often leads to an advancement of two energy classes. The original lack of thermal insulation in the areas of the building, such as walls, floors and roofs, makes the reduction of their thermal transmittance particularly effective, producing significant energy improvements (find out more: Thermal Coating: how does it work, when is it convenient, how much does it cost?) . - Sealing of infiltrations
It is crucial to eliminate air infiltration through cracks and cracks in the frames and structure of the building. The use of quality gaskets and insulating materials can reduce heat losses. - Installation of insulating roller shutters or shutters
These solutions can improve the thermal insulation of windows, reducing heat losses in winter and protecting against excessive caloric intake in summer (find out more: Replacing shutters and shutters: can be facilitated by modifying materials and fixtures). - Use of thermal curtains
Insulating curtains can provide an additional layer of thermal protection, particularly useful during the night or in the absence of natural lighting. - Improved internal insulation
Even without applying an external thermal coat, it is possible to intervene on the internal insulation of the walls, roof and floor, using insulating materials that can be installed with fewer structural interventions (Learn more: Thermal microcoat: what it is, how it works and advantages) . - Plant optimization
The revision and possible replacement of heating, cooling and hot water production systems with highly energy efficient solutions contribute significantly to improving the energy performance of the building (find out more: Replacing the heating system with a new boiler: what incentives).
These measures can lead to a significant improvement in the energy efficiency of the building. However, it is essential to evaluate the building as a whole, considering the architectural specificities and local climatic conditions, to choose the most suitable and effective solutions.
