Over
the last four years there have been many articles written about Window Energy
Ratings. Some singing the praises of the new simplified system, with which consumers and specifiers can easily compare competing products.
They talk about how using a simple and easy to understand ranking and labelling
system makes buying new windows far less daunting for the average homeowner.
They also talk about how energy efficient windows will save you money on your
household bills and can even put heat back into your home by means of
solar gain.
On the flip side other parties have written about the
failings and limitations of the Window Energy Ratings and believe that these
new ratings are simply made up rubbish aimed at trapping the general public
into believing that one window is vastly superior to any another just
because of its energy rating. They state that Window Energy Ratings provide
no true measurement for energy performance, and urging people not to be duped
by the British Fenestration Rating Council, and their WER Scheme. They call the
WER system just another double glazing sales trick and a way to increase
competition and profit margin within the glass fabrication industry. One blog
even referred to WER’s as ‘The Emperors New Cloths’.
Many people are concerned that the potential energy savings,
and reduction in CO2 emissions may not be fully realised due to the ambiguous
nature of these WER calculations, but many also believe that overall they are a
step in the right direct and stop so called ‘cowboy double glazing’ firms from
specifying outdated products with compliant double glazed sealed units.
The facts about Window Energy Ratings
In October 2010 the WER rating scheme was introduced as a new
method by, which windows could comply with the Building Regulations. It was
made mandatory for all companies within the window industry to test and rate
their products, if they wanted to be a part of it. Since it was in many cases
easier to achieve the minimum WER ‘C’ than the minimum U value of 1.6, now
required by the Building Regulations, many companies did exactly this. The
ratings are much the same as white goods, used to prove the energy efficiency
of a product. Windows are rated A to G, and contrary to popular opinion a D - G
rated window could still comply to the building regulations so long as it had a
U value of 1.6 w/m²k or lower. Window Energy Ratings are an alternative method
of compliancy, to the humble U value, but how can a window be energy efficient
if it doesn’t consume energy in the form of gas or electricity? Its all very confusing isn’t it.
Even now years later many people still do not understand
Window Energy Ratings, what they are and confuse them with thermal efficiency
(U values) and even believe that they provide a measure of manufacture quality or
security. Some people even talk about A rated glass, which is simply a term used
in the industry to describe a sealed unit with a certain specification. This
specification will in most cases (but not all cases) result in an overall Window
Energy Rating of ‘A’, so it kind of makes sense. But glass cannot itself have a
Window Energy Rating and this sort of terminology or industry slag, muddies the
water and further increases ignorance and confusion.
But what purpose do Window Energy Ratings serve, if any? What
are they, and how are they calculated?
If you are confused about Window Energy Ratings, We Can Help?
We have devoted an entire section of our website, in an attempt to clarify and answer
exactly this. If you wish to get to the bottom of the Window Energy Rating
scheme then it’s a very good and unbiased view to Window Energy Ratings. It
will provide you with just the facts; without any speculation into Government Agenda
and the glass fabrication industry. Nor does it try to use WER’s as a tool to
try and sell you new energy efficient windows. We believe that it is certainly worth
reading before you decide to buy yourself some new windows.
Read More »
Our Download Our Window Energy Rating Guide »
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Our Download Our Window Energy Rating Guide »
