Who to trust?

When seeking advice about anything it’s always difficult to know who to trust. It seems that when it comes to energy savings, consumers are really struggling.

According to a recent survey by the Energy Saving Trust only 17% of consumers trust the energy saving advice of those tradespeople who are undertaking work for them. 

It’s problematic.

We’re not going to sit here and tell you that you should trust us. There are an awful lot of cowboys out there and to be perfectly honest, you’re right to be suspicious.

What are the motivations of those people trying to sell you an energy saving solution? Are they just trying to sell you a more expensive product that you don’t really need?

Unfortunately this hesitancy could cost you dearly. Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said “Real cost savings - in terms of labour and minimising disruption - are on offer to householders who employ tradespeople to install energy-efficiency measures when they are in doing other work.”

So, on balance - what’s a green consumer to do if they’re not sure who to trust?

Well, we’d recommend that you take the time to educate yourself. According to the Energy Saving Trust you could save up to £340 annually on your household bills. Plus as all homes for sale or rent now need to have Energy Performance Certificates, a low rating may make your home harder to sell or rent in the future.

So, where to start?

We’ve pulled together a list of impartial resources which we think you might find useful:

The Energy Saving Trust are a non-profit organisation set up to provide free impartial advice on how to save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from your home. On their website you can compare products, read more about how to reduce carbon emissions and search for grants.

The BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the glazing industry’s trade association, the Glass and Glazing Federation. It is the UK’s national system for rating Energy Efficient Windows and on their website you’ll find everything you need to know about the ratings, the labels and what they mean.

The Government also provide guidance and further information on energy savings - offering tips, further explanations and useful links.

You might also like to have a look at the National Energy Federation website - there you can learn more about climate change and how to cut your carbon emissions. They’ve also got a great page where they bust some energy myths - interesting reading.

Finally, check out FENSA, they partner with the Energy Saving Trust and the British Fenestration Rating Council, from an energy savings perspective, so make sure your selected supplier is registered with them - if they’re not, our advice would be to find yourself an alternative supplier.

Obviously if you are looking for help and advice, we’d also be happy to help, why not visit one of our show centres, call us on 0800 666 444 or book a home visit.

Image credit phauly

Here at SEHBAC we’re really excited about Pilkington’s new K Glass™ OW launch.

This new development is particularly important in terms of energy efficiency ratings for windows. You may remember last week we wrote a post about Energy Efficient Window Ratings - essentially, all new double glazed window units are assigned an energy efficiency rating from A-G (with A being the most efficient and G being the least).

Pilkington’s launch of K Glass OW is an improved form of Pilkington K Glass. Designed to be used as part of the Pilkington energiKare system, K Glass OW offers increased light transmission and improved solar gain.

Andy McDowell, Pilkington spokesperson, said:

“Pilkington energiKare™ is going from strength to strength – Pilkington K Glass OW is an invaluable addition to the range.

The increase in solar gain helps to improve window energy ratings meaning lower heating bills, whilst the increased light transmission helps to create a brighter environment reducing the need for artificial lighting and further reducing energy costs.”

So it’s excellent news for those interested in safe-guarding the environment!

If you’re interested in replacing your windows, why not drop into one of our show centres and speak to a member of staff - they’ll be happy to advise you on all the options available. Alternatively, call us on 0800 666 444, or book a home visit online.

The label pictured to the right is an energy efficient window rating label.

The energy efficient window labelling scheme was created by the BRFC (the British Fenestration Rating Council). It’s aim is to rate the energy efficiency of windows in the same way as household appliances are now energy rated.

As with household appliances, the most energy efficient windows are rated A to C.

A to C rated windows also carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo which is issued by the Energy Saving Trust.

To find out more about the scheme, read on, or visit their website.

What Does the Energy Efficient Window Ratings Label Tell You?

Each window rated by the BFRC has a unique label which contains the following information:

1. The rating level - A, B, C and so on
2. The energy index
3. The thermal transmittance
4. The solar factor
5. The air leakage

In plain English, each of these factors will determine how well the window will perform in terms of:

- Helping you contain and conserve heat within your building in the winter

- Keep out the wind

- Resist condensation

- Contribute to improved sound insulation

Does the Energy Efficiency Rating Apply to the Glass or the Window?

The scheme rates the whole window (i.e. including the frame and any casement) not simply the glass.

How Much Money Can I Save?

By installing energy efficient windows a typical homeowner could see their household energy bills reduced by as much as £461 per year*. Of course the amount you save will depend on the size of your home, and the size and condition of your current windows.

How Much Carbon Can I Save?

Energy efficient windows can assist you in reducing your carbon footprint by up to 18% - so it’s a worthwhile change both from a financial and environmental perspective!

How Do I Know if the Windows I’m Buying are Energy Efficient?

Firstly, be sure to check that the company providing and installing your windows is registered with the BFRC - you can easily check this by clicking on this link: http://www.bfrc.org/Consumer/search_companies.aspx

Additionally, when speaking to your chosen supplier / installer, ask them about their BFRC rated products - if their windows carry the energy efficient label, then you can rest assured that you are getting an energy efficient window.

How Much do Energy Efficient Windows Cost?

The cost of energy efficient windows depends on a variety of factors including the frame materials used (i.e. timber, aluminium, PVCU), and the sizr and style of the window.

Additionally, the higher the energy efficiency (i.e. the more energy efficient a given window is) the more it costs - so an ‘A’ rated window will cost more than a ‘C’ rated window; but this cost can be off-set by the savings you will make on your energy bills. 

SEHBAC & Energy Efficient Windows

Here at SEHBAC we understand the importance of energy efficiency when considering replacement windows. As such all of our windows are energy rated. We’re also very happy to talk you through the various options and their associated costs.

View our full double glazing range, or call us on 0800 666 444 to discuss your needs, we’re here to help you.

*in an electrically heated house, taken from DTI Quarterly Energy Prices. December 2007. Calculation provided by the BFRC.

Increasingly, consumers are thinking ‘green’ and are looking for more information on the environmental impact of their purchases. As such, many people are concerned about the use of PVC, and as such seek alternative materials for their replacement windows and doors; or if they are planning to have a conservatory built.

However, a recent press release from PVC Aware aims to highlight the environmental creditials of PVC, and address the concerns of those consumers. 

Jon Skinner who chairs the PVC Aware committee says “PVC’s environmental credentials are well proven, but as yet, they are little known, in part because the majority of the tests are relatively new. Equally, few people are aware how recyclable PVCU is. The double benefit is that it has environmental advantages and is affordable.”

The Facts about PVC:

1. It’s 100% recyclable.
2. It’s manufactured using 57% chlorine (sea salt) and a comparatively small amount of oil.
3. Very low maintenance (i.e. unlike wood, it never needs re-painting!)
4. The PVC Industry has committed to recycle 100% waste by 2010.
5. Old PVC window frames can be recycled to fabricate new ones - with a minimal impact on the environment. Plus, PVC window frames may be recycled up to 10 times - offering a potential lifespan of more than 350 years!
6. PVC windows are energy efficient and will help you cut your carbon footprint and your utility bills.
7. PVC is available in a wide choice of colours and finishes so you’re bound to find something to suit the style and character of your home.
8. PVC manufacture releases very few dioxins into the air. In fact the average European PVC plant would need to run non stop for 30,000 years to produce the same level of emissions as are released on a single Bonfire Night!
9. PVC is totally inert in the environment.
10. Today’s advanced PVC products already include a high proportion of recycled content.

The good news is, that today’s advanced performance PVC windows and doors can deliver significant energy savings. As such they can play a positive role in making homes more sustainable by cutting carbon emissions, not to mention heating bills. And while glass remains the most important single factor in window energy efficiency, PVC remains far more thermally efficient than alternative materials.

Here at SEHBAC we offer a wide range of PVCU double glazing, doors and conservatories. We’ve over 38 years experience and we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and providing them with the ideal solution for them.

We’d be happy to talk to you, and explain the options further - why not give us a call on 0800 666 444, request a brochure so you can view our full range, arrange a home visit or get a quote today.

PVC Aware is an organisation set up to promote the sustainable values of PVC as a material for window frames and other building applications. They are committed to implementing and promoting procedures to ensure that all off-cut and post-consumer PVC material is recycled into new products, thus preventing waste.

All images, and stats from this post were sourced from the PVCAware.org website.

According to an article in the Daily Mail last week, Buckingham Palace is the least energy efficient building in London. It was awarded the worst possible score 0 out of 10 (!)  in terms of energy efficiency, and branded London’s most environmentally damaging building. You can read the full article here.

So what was all the fuss about?

Well, Buckingham Palace is without a doubt a beautiful building, and it is only appropriate that it’s looks and heritage should be preserved.

However it is unfortunate that buildings of this type are typically not very energy efficient. You can see that there are lots of windows - and as they are only single glazed; and indeed perhaps because the frames have warped over time, they let in draughts.

A member of the team responsible for measuring the energy efficiency of the buildings surveyed said:

“So much energy is being lost through the windows… It appears the building is better at heating the air outside, than inside”

In terms of environmental impact, the message is clear - if you’re home is not energy efficient you are wasting energy, and harming the environment.

Of course, in addition to this, you are also wasting money. In 2008 the Buckingham Palace spent £2.2million on utility bills - so the benefits of making this building more energy efficient are clear.

The top twelve worst offenders (in terms of energy efficiency) of the buildings surveyed were as follows:

1. Buckingham Palace
2. DECC (Defra)
3. Ministry of Defence
4. Horse Guards Barracks
5. Shell Building
6. Home Office
7. Houses of Parliament
8. Treasury
9. Portcullis House
10. MI6 HQ
11. Albert Hall
12. St James’ Palace

The Mail call them the dirty dozen, and we’d have to agree!

If you’re interested in making your home more energy efficient, there are some fantastic resources out there for you to learn more.

We’d recommend the following sites:

The Energy Saving Trust - a non-profit organisation that provides free impartial advice on how to save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from your home.

Directgov - information about energy efficiency grants and offers to help you make energy saving improvements to your home. These grants and offers come from government, your local council or your energy supplier.

Here at SEHBAC we too believe in the importance of making homes as energy efficient as possible. As such we’ve written a few articles which may be of interest:

Can Fitting Double Glazing Save Money on Heating Bills?

Pilkington energiKare - Energy Efficient Glazing

If you’d like to talk to someone about double glazing, with specific regard to making your home more energy efficient, please give us a call on 0800 666 444.

Image credit dbaron