12 Jan How Do Window Energy Ratings Work?

Energy ratings for windows help consumers make the right decisions when it comes to their home improvements. The different bodies that manufacturers are members of, also provide consumers with reassurance that their products are of a certain quality. Window making (aka fenestration) is a complex process that requires training. Not all windows are created equally however. This is why energy ratings and standards organisations are important for consumers to know about.

What Are The Benefits Of The Rating?

Rating systems for energy performance are common and it’s no different for windows and doors. The British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) have been rating windows since 1997. Their system includes a recognisable rainbow rating system with A++ at the top and E at the bottom.

The Energy Saving Trust say that windows with an energy rating of A++ could save as much as £235 and 405kg of carbon dioxide a year. The more energy efficient windows you have, the less heat is lost through them. The environmental impact you have also becomes smaller.

Using a rating system that is backed by a standards organisation such as the BFRC also delivers benefits for consumers. Unfortunately, there are dishonest people who may claim their windows are energy efficient when they are not. A fabricator who belongs to the BFRC will have proof their windows have been made to the right standards.

These standards can be traced back through the supply chain. Typically, windows are made of glass, the profile (or frame) and components such as sealant and spacers. The glass panels become double glazed by hermetically sealing them. Fabricators combine all the components, panes and profiles together then sell them to commercial businesses for sale to the public. Windows with BFRC ratings will come from manufacturers and fabricators who have agreed to certain standards across the whole supply chain. This means consumers know that the whole window is at the standard it should be.

How Is The Rating Decided?

According to the BFRC, the window energy rating is calculated through an “energy balance of positive contributions from solar gain minus the negative factors of thermal heat loss and air leakage”. This is referring to how much warmth the sun puts into the window, compared to how much heat is lost through the glass or tiny gaps in the window.

They also include the size of standard houses, numbers of occupants and climate of different locations around the UK in their calculations.

Why Does Energy Performance Matter?

The energy rating of a window is important. It not only guarantees how well the window will perform, but often has an impact on price too. The higher the rating, the more expensive the window is likely to be.

The ratings guide consumers to make the right choice based on their budget, as well as energy performance. Ideally, we would all like to be able to buy the most energy efficient windows but in reality, we buy the best for what we can afford. This guide can help consumers weigh up their options.

At Park Lane windows we understand that energy ratings are important for our customers. That’s why our windows are BFRC approved. We’re happy to answer questions about our windows, and if you come to our showroom, you can see them in person. Our showroom is located at Arthur Street, Kingsthorpe Hollow, Northampton NN2 6EG.