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U Value Explained

The document discusses U-values which measure the rate of heat loss through materials, with lower U-values indicating better insulation. It provides U-value information for various construction materials like single glazing, double glazing, walls, floors and roofs.

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Nidhi Mehta
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130 views3 pages

U Value Explained

The document discusses U-values which measure the rate of heat loss through materials, with lower U-values indicating better insulation. It provides U-value information for various construction materials like single glazing, double glazing, walls, floors and roofs.

Uploaded by

Nidhi Mehta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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U-Values explained

Thermal transmittance, also known as U-value, is the rate of heat transfer or heat loss.
The lower the U-Value the less heat loss or more efficient the product is.

U-VALUE OF Single Glazing 5.8 W/m2K. (watts per square metre per degree Kelvin)
U-VALUE of standard Double Glazing 2.4 W/m2K (pre 2004)
U-VALUE OF ENERGLAZE Double Glazing 1.1 W/m2K.
U-VALUE OF ENERGLAZE Secondary Glazing 1.3 W/m2K.

Thermal Insulation and A-Rated Windows 


The lower the U value, the greater the thermal insulation. However, the amount of free heat energy from the
sun, the solar gain or g-value can also have a big impact. New glass manufacturing standards which take
account of solar gain, were introduced by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) in 2006 and they can
provide a good indicator of how energy-efficient windows for homes can be. The Window Energy Ratings
Scheme is based on a scale of A through to G, with ‘A’ rated windows being the most energy-efficient. 

Thermally insulated glass units or double glazed units incorporate low-emissivity glass such as Pilkington K
Glass™ used in all Energlaze units can significantly improve the overall thermal performance of a window.
Therefore the thermal insulation value is just one aspect of how much energy can be saved.

U-Values

U-Value is the measure of the rate of heat loss through a material. 


Thus the lower the U-value – the less heat that is needlessly escaping. 

Typical sash windows 4.8 U-Value


Sash windows fitted with Energlaze 
secondary glazing 1.3 U-Value

So for example single glazed sash windows have a typical U-value of 4.8 while windows fitted with our heat
retaining secondary glazing units have a typical U-value of just 1.3. 

What is a U-value
To put it simply, U-Value is the measure of the rate of heat loss through a material. Thus in all aspects of home
design one should strive for the lowest U-Values possible because the lower the U-value – the less heat that is
needlessly escaping. So for example single glazed windows have a typical U-value of 5.6 while double glazed
windows have a typical U-value of 2.8. 

The calculation of U-values can be rather complex - it is measured as the amount of heat lost through a one
square meter of the material for every degree difference in temperature either side of the material. It is indicated
in units of Watts per Meter Squared per Degree Kelvin or W/m 2K. 

Note that Kelvin is used as the scale of temperature difference, but this is numerically equal to oC. So for
example, one square meter of a standard single glazed window will transmit about 5.6 watts of energy for each
degree difference either side of the window or a U-Value of 5.6. A double glazed window will be significantly
better with a U-value of 2.8 i.e. only transmitting 2.8 watts of energy in similar conditions.

Typical U-Values
Note: These U-values are provided as a guide. U-values may vary depending on the particular construction 
e.g. block or brick walls.
WALLS (Buildi ng Regulations: 0.45)
Cavity Wall Insulation U-Value
100mm Blown Polystyrene 0.30
100mm Blown Mineral Wool 0.30
100mm Blown Cellulose Fibre 0.30
60mm Extruded Polystyrene Insulation 0.40
35mm Polyurethane Foam Board 0.39
35mm Phenolic Foam Board 0.37
Timber Frame 150mm, Mineral Quilt 0.25
Timber Frame 140mm, Cellulose Fibre 0.19
Safewarm Home Construction 0.31

External Wall Insulation U-Value


60mm Moulded Polystyrene 0.44

Internal Wall Insulation U-Value


50mm Expanded Polystyrene 0.48
38mm Polyurethane 0.45
FLOORS (Building Regulations: 0.45)

U-Value
Note: U-values are based on concrete slab construction

60mm Polystyrene 0.45


38mm Polyurethane 0.45

ROOF, ATTIC AND ATTIC ROOM (Building Regulations: 0.25)

Pitched Roof with Attic Space U-Value


Note: To achieve these U-values, insulation must be between and over ceiling joists.

150mm Glass Wool 0.25


150mm Rock Wool 0.23
150mm Sheep's Wool 0.23
200mm Glass Wool 0.19
200mm Cellulose Fibre 0.16

Attic Room U-Value


70 mm Polyurethane 0.21
130 mm Expanded Polystyrene 0.25
WINDOWS (Building Regulations: 3.30)

U-Value
Single Glazing 5.6
Double Glazing 2.8
Double Glazing, with Argon 2.6
Double Glazing, Low-E 1.8
Double Glazing, Low-E with Argon 1.5

For further ideas on ways to save energy at home contact the Irish Energy Centre's Energy Hotline at 1850-
376.666 (for the price of a local call).
e-mail: info@energlaze.ie
web: www.irish-energy.ie

The Irish Energy Centre is funded by the Government under the National Development Plan with programmes
part financed by the European Unio

Special Offers
http://www.energlaze.ie/double-glazing/u-values-explained

down loade on 10/09/2013

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