New government regulations - Trickle Vents
New government regulations state that any windows installed after the 15th June 2022 will have to comply with the new trickle vent regulations. The aim of these new regulations is to ensure every home receives adequate ventilation.
All buildings have to be ventilated in order to maintain the health and well being of everyone using them. There are two kinds of ventilation: background and rapid. Background ventilation can be provided by trickle ventilators. Rapid ventilation by opening the window.
Over the years, homes have become better insulated and windows and doors have improved so that homes are no longer naturally ventilated as they have been in past decades. This means pollutants can build up inside a home, as can condensation and mould as a result.
Maintenance Tips
Keeping your newly installed windows and doors is simple when you use the correct method. If you would like some more information on window and door maintenance take a look at the maintenance brochure.
Glass Cleaning
Glass used in most double-glazed units is easily scratched and it is, therefore, recommended that hand jewellery is removed prior to cleaning.
Any proprietary household cleaner may be used with a soft cloth and it is recommended that heavy external grime be initially removed with a solution of soap and water.
UPVC Frame Cleaning
Wash frames with a soap and water solution periodically to remove any grime and atmospheric deposits.
Make sure to only use soap and water on coloured PVC frames!
Condensation
External condensation can be proof that energy efficient windows are performing well.
Modern windows that FENSA Approved Installers fit these days are so much more thermally efficient than those installed in decades past. As a result, the heat used to warm homes doesn’t escape through to the outer pane.
The outer pane of glass is therefore cooler and when its temperature falls below dew point, moisture in the air condenses on it.
The reason window condensation can be worse during Autumn (and Spring) mornings is that at these times of year the temperature of the glass can really drop overnight, yet the dew point remains relatively high.
Some windows can be affected more than others and slight changes in orientation or shelter can mean that windows or even panes next to each other can react differently.
There is not much that can be done to stop this phenomenon. It usually doesn’t last long and shows that the heat being used to warm your home is being saved rather than lost through your windows - thus potentially lowering your heating bills and reducing your home’s carbon emissions.