Energy-efficient conservatories: A guide to year-round comfort

A conservatory should be somewhere you can enjoy throughout the year, a place where you can observe the changing seasons from your sofa.

Whether you plan on a spot of reading on a spring morning, or a film night under the stars in the build-up to Christmas, a conservatory can only be enjoyed comfortably if it’s energy efficient enough.

Energy efficiency is vital because it helps control heat transfer. By reducing heat loss in winter and unwanted heat gain in summer, your conservatory can stay at a more comfortable temperature while using less energy, in turn lowering your energy bills.

At Premier Windows, our conservatories are supported by energy-efficient uPVC frames, alongside high-quality Planitherm glass and a choice of thermally efficient roofs. With the right specification, our conservatories can achieve an A energy efficiency rating.

Energy-efficient conservatories: What does it mean?

Energy efficiency simply means keeping your conservatory comfortable while using less energy. Efficient glazing, good insulation and a suitable conservatory roof create a thermal barrier between your home and the outdoors.

This is particularly important in conservatories, where large glazed areas can increase heat transfer, and they certainly have historically, which comes at a cost. We’ve all visited a friend or relative’s conservatory, or perhaps even owned one ourselves, that is far too chilly to enjoy in the winter, and that also plays the role of a greenhouse in the summer.

This is most often caused by older single glazing, polycarbonate roofing and poor insulation, resulting in excessive heat gain in summer and heat loss during the colder months.

A more efficient conservatory offers better temperature regulation, making the room usable throughout the year and giving you more value from your investment. We understand that you may well have been put off the idea of an extension because of these experiences, but rest assured that modern versions are far more comfortable.

What are the benefits of an energy efficient conservatory?

As mentioned above, improving conservatory energy efficiency can make your home more comfortable while reducing energy consumption.

A comfortable environment

Better insulation properties, efficient glazing and a thermally efficient roof help maintain a consistent temperature. This turns your conservatory into a genuinely comfortable living space.

Lower energy bills

Reducing heat transfer means your heating system does not need to work as hard to retain heat in the winter. Solar control can also limit solar heat gain in summer, helping reduce energy costs and heating costs.

Environmental benefits

Using less energy can reduce your household’s carbon footprint, making improved energy efficiency a practical home improvement with environmental benefits.

Greater resale appeal

A high-quality conservatory can be an attractive feature for buyers. They’ll no doubt be drawn to the added living space, and if thermally efficient, your home’s Energy Rating will be increased, leading to added interest.

Energy-efficient conservatories: What to look out for

At Premier Windows, we incorporate these features into our conservatories, supplied and installed across the Home Counties, to deliver excellent thermal performance.

uPVC frames

Our energy-efficient uPVC frames help reduce heat transfer while providing durability and security. They are available in a wide choice of colours.

Planitherm glass

Glazing plays a crucial role in thermal efficiency. Our Planitherm glass offers excellent thermal performance while allowing plenty of natural light into your conservatory.

It can also be paired with solar control glass to reflect excessive summer heat while retaining warmth in winter. We offer double glazing and triple glazing to suit different requirements.

Thermally efficient roofs

The roof is often the most critical element when upgrading an older conservatory. We offer three options:

• Tiled conservatory roof: Our Warmer Roof systems can achieve U-values as low as 0.14 W/m²K, providing outstanding insulation properties. U-Values measure the transfer of heat between inside and out, the lower the better.
• Glass conservatory roof: Advanced double glazing and solar-control technology provide a U-value of 1.0 W/m²K while preserving natural light.
• Solid roof: Combining insulated panels with high-performance glazing, our solid roofs can achieve U-values of 0.13-0.15 W/m²K without sacrificing daylight.

As you can see, tiled conservatory roofs are the best options if out and out thermal performance is your priority. But modern glass roofs still far exceed modern building regulations, offering competitive performance, but also allowing you more natural light and the opportunity to stargaze/birdwatch from your sofa! The best choice for you really depends on your own unique priorities.

Indeed, if your existing conservatory is poorly insulated, a roof replacement is a cost-effective solution that will likely solve your energy efficiency issues in an instant, without the fuss of a full rebuild.

Replacing old windows and doors

Old windows and doors can contribute to draughts and heat loss. Replacing them with modern products can improve the overall energy efficiency of your conservatory while also improving security.

We offer uPVC and aluminium windows plus uPVC, aluminium and composite doors, including bifold, French and patio styles.

Better heating and ventilation

Good temperature control involves more than insulation. We offer underfloor heating for comfortable warmth without using valuable wall space.

Roof vents can release excess heat and improve air quality during warmer weather, much like trickle vents do in modern windows.

Energy-efficient conservatories from Premier Windows

We tailor every conservatory to your property and specific needs, with a choice of windows, doors, glazing, frame colours and roof styles.

Available styles include:

• Victorian: A traditional, multi-faceted design with plenty of character.
• Edwardian: A symmetrical style offering generous floor space and clean lines, often rectangular.
• Lean-to: A simple and versatile option for properties with limited space.
• P-shaped: Combines two sections to create generous, flexible living space.

Our windows include casement, tilt and turn, flush sash, vertical sliding and Residence 9 styles. Our doors include bifold, French and patio options.

For the roof, our glass, tiled and solid options can all be tailored to your conservatory design. Whether you want the natural light of a glass roof or the impressive insulation of a tiled or solid roof, our team can provide expert advice.

Who are Premier Windows?

Based in Aylesbury, we have more than 30 years’ experience providing windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries and porches across Buckinghamshire. We have completed thousands of installations and built our reputation on excellent customer service.

We are accredited by DGCOS and Which? Trusted Trader. Every installation includes a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee and access to our dedicated aftercare service.

We also operate a strict no-pressure, no-obligation-to-buy policy.

Visit our showroom just off the A41 in Aylesbury to explore our products and discuss your project with our experienced team.

Call us on 01296 422 842 or email enquiries@premwindowsanddoors.co.uk.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday, 10am-1pm.