In the UK, energy-efficient windows and doors are rated according to their thermal efficiency. The rating indicates the energy performance of your triple or double glazing, which can give you a helpful gauge on what impact the product will have on your energy bills after installation.
Provided there are no existing problems with heat loss in your home, rated windows can give you an accurate indication of how much of an energy saving you will make.
Where Does the Window Energy Rating System Come From?
The rating system is provided by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BRFC), which is responsible for the UK’s main energy-rating scheme that proves the thermal performance of all types of glazed windows and doors. The BFRC uses a ‘Window Energy Rating’ (WER) system.
By using an equation of kWh/m2/year, which shows you how much energy (in kilowatts) over the size of your window (in square metres) you will consume per year, the BFRC rates how efficient products are. The windows energy rating scheme has the following rating labels:
- A++
- A+
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
It is important to note that a structure must be complying with all building regulations for the rating to be indicative of the actual performance of the window, or any other glazed product.
What Are the Benefits of Window Energy Ratings?
The BFRC is a helpful organisation for consumers looking to buy glazed windows and doors, but the use of a rating system also benefits the manufacturers and installers too. Some of the key advantages of the BFRC including the WER labels on products include the following:
- Manufacturers can prove their product will perform: Most people do not trust a brand they do not recognise, and glazed doors or windows are not a product most consumers focus on! As a result, lesser-known manufacturers can show their quality through an independent third party by getting a product rating from the BFRC.
- Consumers know how much energy they will save: People thinking of installing a glazed product will want to know what return on their investment they will get, as a larger installation can cost a bundle. Provided the structure is complying with current building regulations, WER ratings give the buyer an accurate estimate before buying.
- Installers can fit products with guaranteed results: If an installer has a WER rating as a guide, they can have complete faith in what their handiwork can deliver for a customer. Fitting home improvements means you have to rely on your tools, products and skills, so windows energy ratings take the unknown factor out for an installer.
The BFRC also has special ratings for a product’s noise performance, which is another key reason why people install triple or double glazing. As a result, BFRC rating systems can make it easier for people with either benefit as their priority to choose the best glazed windows or doors.
What Other Types of Window Energy Ratings Are There?
Additional ratings exist that relate to different jurisdictions, which may be shown on a product label alongside the WER. Examples include ENERGY STAR windows ratings, which are a similar consumer-protection body that offers a rating system for glazed products in the United States.
As many glazed window and door products are sold internationally, it is common to see an ENERGY STAR windows rating on the label too. This system is similar to the WER, measuring a product’s thermal performance, but it uses a slightly different method of calculation for the U.S.
Additional UK bodies that assess the technical performance and specification, health, safety or environmental impact and best practices for the training of glaziers include the Glass Glazing Federation (GGF) and the Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme (FENSA).
Install Windows & Doors With a Rating You Want on the South Coast
With heating bills getting higher and the threat of extreme weather becoming worse by the year, triple or double glazing is an in-demand product that many people want to install for their homes. Window energy ratings are an excellent, trustworthy way for consumers, manufacturers or installers to have complete faith in their product’s performance.
We work hard to provide a wide range of home improvements for people across the south coast region of the UK, so we understand the importance of window energy ratings and the emphasis you place on getting a high-performance result. Please feel free to fill out our short form and get a free quote on double or triple-glazed windows with a rating of your choosing today.
