What does the energy efficient window ratings label tell you?
The BFRC Scheme is the UK’s national system for rating the energy efficiency of windows and is recognised within the Building Regulations as a method to show compliance for your replacement windows installation.
Window Energy Ratings use a consumer-friendly traffic-light style A-E ratings guide similar to that used on ‘white’ goods (such as fridges, freezers, washing machines etc…). This ratings label can be used by you to make more informed choices about the energy efficiency of the windows you are looking to purchase.
With carbon emissions high on the global agenda and the current high cost of fuel, we are all looking for ways to make our homes more energy efficient.
Each window rated by the BFRC has a unique label
This label will display the following information:
The rating level – A, B, C, etc…
2. The energy rating eg. -3kWh/(m²·K) in this example the product will lose 3 kilowatt hours per square metre per year.
3. The window U value eg. 1.4W/(m²·K)
4. The effective heat loss due to air penetration as L eg. 0.01 W/(m²·K)
5. The solar heat gain eg. g=0.43
Simply put this will determine how well a product will perform the functions of:
Helping you contain and conserve heat within your building in the winter
Keep out the wind
Resist condensation
Contribute to improved sound insulation
So what are energy efficient windows?
So exactly what are Energy Efficient Windows? They are windows that help to contain and conserve heat within the home keeping out wind and rain, resisting condensation and yet allowing natural “free” energy – the warmth of the sun – to heat the home. They can be made using any frame material – aluminium, PVC-U, steel or timber or even a combination of materials.
Energy Efficient Windows are easy to recognise – simply look for the BFRC Label.
The BFRC Scheme is the UK’s national system for rating the energy efficiency of windows and is recognised within the Building Regulations as a method to show compliance for your replacement windows installation.
Save Money
If your home is single glazed or your double-glazing was installed prior to April 2002 then you could be losing more heat than necessary, and therefore money, literally out of the window. However, by switching to Energy Efficient Windows you can save energy and reduce your household bills by as much as £461* per year.
Save the planet
If you live in a single glazed house and install Energy Efficient Windows, you could reduce the energy you use by 0.30 tonnes or 18% – almost reaching the Government target of 20% reduction per household. Add to this other simple energy saving measures – such as insulating your home and turning down the central heating by 1° C – and you could be making a real impact on reducing your carbon footprint.