Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty the Queens main residence in London
I am delighted to hear that our beloved Queen Elizabeth II seems to be well aware of this, as I have read reports on the Energy Saving Trust website suggesting
Her Majesty is planning install double-glazed windows in Buckingham Palace.
As the Energy Saving Trust website states “Not only will this bring down the British Royal Family’s energy costs by keeping heat inside the building, but it will also allow them to improve their green credentials.”
According to the Energy Saving Trust’s calculations, the average household can save around £135 a year on their heating costs by fitting double glazing.
But the typical family home is miniscule in comparison to Her Majesty the Queen’s central London residence, Buckingham Palace, which has served as the official London home of all Britain’s monarchs since 1837.
Buckingham Palace comprises of no less than 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and an incredible 78 bathrooms. Given the massive costs of maintaining and heating all these rooms, if the Queen does fit double glazing, she will certainly see some massive savings on her energy costs, thereby reducing her Royal carbon footprint.
CATAGORY|Carbon Footprint, Saving Energy, Saving Money
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has published its advice about the implementation of the major Part L changes. In summary the GGF has stated there are three main transitional provisions:
ONE – Where building work has started before 1st October 2010, it may continue as if the new changes had not been made. Where a building contract has been agreed, as long as the work commences before 6th April 2011, then this is OK. If full plans have been submitted before 1st October 2010, then as long as work starts before 1st October 2011, then this is an allowable exception.
TWO – Replacement window and door companies/property owners must commence installation before 6th April 2011 on all contracts signed on or before 30th September 2010. For the avoidance of doubt, any contract signed on or after 1st October 2010 must comply with the new Building Regulations.
THREE – For the new build and replacement market (domestic and non-domestic) where Building Control provided approval before 1st October 2010, the installation can comply with the 2006 edition of the Part L after 1st October 2010 as long as work commences by 1st October 2011. Any notices issued on or after 1st October 2010 must comply with the 2010 Approved Document L guidance.
For a more detailed GGF summary download a PDF entitled “Transitional Arrangements for compliance with Approved Document L Conservation of fuel and power 2010”
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
I don’t know about you, but in an ideal world where money was no object, and it was morally OK to do, I’d always prefer to have the most up-to-date model car of my dreams. The truth is I cannot really afford my mid range car, and was thrilled when I first got it until 4 months later the Government upped the Car Tax on it from £300 to £400 a year, all because it was 6 g/km CO2 emissions over the 225 g/km car tax band limit. If you buy a vehicle with 231 g/km CO2 emissions today, 12 months Road Tax on it is now a staggering £750 a year!
The newest model of my car now has lower emissions than my current car, is more energy efficient and has cruise control as standard, which mine doesn’t. However it also costs more than I can afford, plus I’d be paying higher car tax, so I learnt a long time ago to be content and extremely grateful, and very thankful for my little car as it has yet to break down and gets me from A to B.
It is a very similar to the double glazed windows I had fitted to my Buckinghamshire home. In 1994 Hazlemere Window Company replaced every window and door with Monarch powder coated white aluminium windows and doors. All the sealed units were fitted with the latest (at the time) Pilkington “K” Glass and the bathroom and toilet windows with Pilkington Cotswold obscure glass. At the time these Monarch double glazing products were highly energy efficient for their day, and my wife and I have been thrilled with the high quality of both the products and the installation every since. However, the Part L changes to the Building Regulations that come into effect on 1st October 2010 will make our windows and doors obsolete on 30th September 2010. If we had been planning an extension, so still had windows to replace, we would only have till then to purchase and more importantly, have them installed before this Government deadline.
Obviously in 1994 I had no idea I would end up in the double glazing industry on 1st March 2008, or foreseen the year on year advances in thermally efficient window technology, to the extent that if money was no object and we had no intention of moving home, I would now replace all my windows and doors with the latest Sapa (Monarch) “A” energy rated aluminium windows, simply for the fantastic energy saving performance the most up-to-date double glazing products can now offer in terms of quality of life, security, aesthetics, insulation and heating bills.
The new Part L legislation does not just affect windows and doors, but many other constituent parts of property, something any property owner should now find out about before embarking on any rennovation, extension or new build project. The double glazing industry faces a major challenge, with the new Building Regulations effective making the vast majority of double glazed windows and doors obsolete overnight. Already window and door manufacturers like Hazlemere Windows are running down their stocks of the “old” soon to be discontinued aluminium profiles. Similarly, extruders like Sapa Building Systems are running down their stocks of the soon to be obsolete aluminium profiles, as no double glazing manufacturer or supplier wants to be left with extrusions that can not legally be made into windows and doors installed on or after 1st October 2010. There is one bit of good news, aluminium can be 100% re-cycled, so hopefully all obsolete extrusions will not go to waste!
Although demand for existing double glazing products is expected to be high until 30th September 2010, supply could become a real issue in terms of both availability of the product and indeed the very short time that property owners have to not only order replacement windows (that do not have a WER of “C” or above or have a combined U Value of 1.6 W/m2K), but also to have them surveyed, manufactured and installed before 1st October 2010, when they become non-compliant with the new stricter Building Regulations aimed at ensuring property owners fit the latest most thermally efficient windows and doors.
There is actually nothing wrong with our 1994 Monarch double glazing, in fact, give it a quick rub down with a damp cloth every few years and it looks as good as new. Whilst it complies with the existing Building Regulations, and we can order new matching replacement windows and doors to the same specification and have them fitted up to and including 30th September 2010, no property owner or double glazing installer will be legally allowed to install them after this date. The other factor is that of course the existing windows in our home do not cost so much to produce as the new generation “C”, “B” and “A” energy rated windows, so consequently currently cost less to buy and install, so if you are in the middle of a replacement programme – now is the time to act before it is too late!
Download a PDF Factsheet about the 2010 Part L Building Regulations Changes
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
Earlier this year, the then Labour Government Housing and Planning Minister John Healey announced that the Government were going to be intoducing new building regulations, which they hoped, would make the domestic housing sector more conscious of environmental issues.
As a consequence, UK property owners planning to rennovate or extend or update the look of their premises will now legally from 1st October 2010 have to ensure they install energy efficient windows in order to reduce the amount of heat being wasted, and reduce carbon emissions.
With the current Building Regulations expiring on 30th September 2010, builders working on new housing will also have to ensure the properties they build after 1st October 2010 are greener, as part of an effort to save two million tonnes of carbon a year – equivalent to three million vehicles being taken off the country’s roads.
When making the announcement earlier in 2010 Mr Healey said: “More than one in three of the buildings we’ll be working in and living in by 2050 have not yet been built, so action now can make a real difference in the future.”
As ususal, it seems the British home owners and taxpayers are going to have to fund the Governments commitments made in the Kyoto Treaty to cut the UK’s carbon emissions. As of October 2009, 187 states had signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at combating global warming
No grants, encouragement and incentives to get property owners to take long term energy measures, only legislation and taxation to ensure that if any property owner does want to improve their property by replacing any windows or doors, they now have no choice but to pay for the best most energy saving thermally efficient products money can buy, without any sort of Government assistance, and probably at a higher VAT rate – great!
CATAGORY|Carbon Footprint, Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
Following an announcement by FENSA yesterday, if you are a commercial or domestic UK property owner you really do need to be aware of important imminent changes in legislation that will affect what glazing products you legally must buy if installing on or after 1st October 2010, plus the fact that the double glazing industry has only just found out that it and property owners only have until 30th September to install products that comply with current standards.
Major Building Regulations changes come into effect on 1st October 2010, as published by HM Government earlier this month in approved document L1B entitled “Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings” (and L1A “new dwellings”). Just in fenestration terms alone, these changes to Part L of the England and Wales Building Regulations require property owners to install even higher performing energy saving products than currently required if they a) replace their existing windows or b) have an extension or c) build a new house etc.
Consequently, from 1st October 2010 it will only be legal for window companies to install windows with a Window Energy Rating (WER) of band C or above, or a U Value of 1.6 W/m2K for installation into existing dwellings. Doors will have to have a maximum U value of 1.8 W/m2K (U values are a universal method of measuring thermal insulation).
There is now a legal deadline of 30th September 2010 for UK property owners to install windows and doors, that whilst not conforming to the new higher standards, do comply with the current Building Regulations thermally efficient standards.
These changes means that if part of your home is double glazed you only have a few weeks to order “matching” windows and doors to be certain they get installed by 30th September, as no double glazing installer will be legally allowed to fit windows and doors that do not comply with the new regulations after this deadline. FENSA will not issue you a certificate unless you use the new more thermally efficient glazing products, so check that every double glazed window you order for installation on or after 1st October 2010 has a Window Energy Rating of “C”, “B” or “A” or a U Value of 1.6 W/m2K and that you have seen an authorized and approved British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) Rating Label and certificate as proof that the particular window and glass combination you are purchasing will qualify for a FENSA certificate.
You need not do anything if the windows installed in your property have an energy rating/label/certificate of “C” or above. If they were installed before 2007, it is very likely they might not be “C” rated or above, so if you were planning to replace windows or doors, and want them to be an exact match, you will need order them soon in order to ensure that they are manufactured AND more importantly installed before 30th September 2010. At present, even if you have rotten single glazing, there is nothing in the current new legislation to force you to spend money replacing these, however, I would not be surprised if this is introduced in the future!
This is a major change, with major implications for any property owner planning to carry out improvements, as on or after 1st October 2010 these will have to be done under the new Part L Building Regulations, which does not only affect windows and doors, but the thermal performance of the entire property.
If you would like to speak with an expert windows and doors consultant at Hazlemere to get free professional help and advice FREEPHONE 08000 825825 or email info@hazlemere.co.uk especially if you would like to know more about the potential legal and cost implications for you and your property of these significant and far reaching Part L changes.
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
This week finally saw the publication by the UK Government of the new Building Regulations for existing and new dwellings. I downloaded the online version of L1B “Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings” as these major changes come into effect now for all property owners in England and Wales who will be installing windows and doors from 1st October 2010. The main purpose of these far more onerous requirements is to legally obligate UK home owners to fit high performance energy efficient energy saving windows and doors if on or after 1st October 2010 they a) replace existing any windows/doors, b) have an extension or c) build a new premises. There is currently no obligation to replace existing windows, even if old highly inefficient single glazed rotten windows, although who is to say that the incoming Government will not introduce a requirement for property owners to install energy rated double glazed windows in order to help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, cutting energy consumption and heating bills.
Having had a brief look at the approved documents L1B on conservation of fuel and power, the big change as far as replacement windows and doors is concerned is that any windows installed on or after 1st October 2010 must now have a Window Energy Rating (WER) of at least band C (currently E) or a combined U Value of 1.6 W/m2K, and doors a combined U Value of a maximum of 1.8 W/m2K. There appears to be a (yet to be fully explained) exception where replacement windows can not meet above for appearance or building character reasons, where a centre page U Value of 1.2 W/m2K may be accepted. The exemption applies only where the energy efficiency requirements would “unacceptably alter the character or appearance” of existing dwellings. However, I suspect this will literally be the exception, rather than the rule!
Another requirement of L1B for existing dwellings is that insulated cavity closers should be fitted by installers where appropriate. Other things that are of note include the fact that whilst the Window Energy Rating method of compliance is now established as shown in both the HM Government L1B and L2B approved documents for new and existing dwellings there is an additional U value method added to L1B as requested by the double glazing industry. However this has been set at 1.6 W/m2K which is extremely stringent given that most A rated windows are at this level.
At one time it was proposed that conservatories less than 30m2 be included in this revision of the building regulations, but thankfully for anyone looking to build a conservatory next few years it looks like common sense has prevailed and conservatories under 30m2 still keep their exemption, conditional on all the existing external windows, doors and walls being retained or replaced, plus the property’s existing heating system not being extended into the conservatory.
Fortunately, Buckinghamshire based Energy Saving Trust members, Hazlemere Window Company has been manufacturing, supplying and fitting “A” rated aluminium windows since they became the first UK double glazing company to design and install a dualframe “A” rated aluminium window back in 2007. Since then Hazlemere have been supplying and installing both UPVC and aluminium A rated, B rated and C rated double glazed windows – all of which have been certified, tested and approved by the British Fenestration Rating Council who issue the Window Energy Ratings (WER’s). These energy saving, thermally efficient products have also been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust. Download a Factsheet about the 2010 changes to Part L of the Building Regulations explaining how these affect you and your property now
If you would like free expert help and advice regarding the implications for your particular property of the higher energy performance standards required by any fenestration products you need to install in your property (be they replacement double glazed windows and doors or windows and doors for an extension/new build) on or after 1st October 2010, why not Freephone one of Hazlemere Windows and Doors experienced consultants on 08000 825825
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
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Reveal Fixed Secondary Sliding Window Example
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Horizontal Sliding Secondary Window
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Vertical Sliding Secondary Window Example
When looking to improve the existing windows your property, your preference in my opinion should always be high quality energy rated energy efficient UPVC or aluminium replacement double glazed windows, as these are not only better looking aesthetically than secondary glazed windows, they add more residual value, given they are more thermally efficient than single glazed windows that have been retro fitted with secondary glazing.
Consequently, my first choice would always be modern energy rated replacement double glazed windows, as their performance if “C”, “B” or “A” rated can not be matched by existing windows that can not achieve one of these energy ratings awarded following testing by the British Fenestration Rating Council, then endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust. If however, circumstances dictate that your local authority planning department will only allow you to replace the existing windows in your property with like for like windows (i.e. single glazed wooden sash or crittal windows) because it is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, or in a conservation area or it is a listed building, then secondary glazed windows are an essential option which will enable you to reduce heat loss and cut down on external noise.
So although double glazing or even triple glazing is preferred for sight lines alone, secondary glazing is a good second choice when external double glazing is not “allowed” as your first choice because of the current UK planning restrictions. Secondary glazing to match your existing window configurations as far as possible is nowadays available, as has been designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. Consequently, Bucks based Hazlemere Window Company supply and fit secondary glazed window systems that are horizontal sliding, vertical sliding, side hinged, lift out, fixed, butt hinged, clip in, clip out or combination units (i.e. side hinged and lift out secondary glazed window systems). Also available is a heavy duty double glazed secondary glazed window system, where noise and/or heat loss is a particular problem and added insulation for a particular property is needed. Find out more about the benefits and types of secondary glazing
CATAGORY|Home Improvements, Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
A Modern Double Glazed House
By installing modern energy saving double glazing we cut massively down the energy lost through single glazed windows. Fitting high quality thermally efficient double glazing saves money on heating during colder periods of the year as double glazing is designed to keep the warmth in as well as the cold out.
In addition, double glazing gives added security when installed in any property, as double glazed glass is a lot more difficult to break through, making the job of burglars more difficult. This is often down to toughened glass, combined with robust frames and locks.
House purchasers expect double glazed windows as a pre-requisite, not only for the above reasons, but the value and saleability they add to the property. Properties without modern energy efficient double glazing will not only have a poorer Energy Performance Certificate rating, but be less likely to sell for the full asking price, given the purchaser will have to factor in the amount of investment required to fit double glazing to make the property better insulated and secure, so if they do make an offer to buy, it is likely to be a much lower one than you would like if you have not invested in double glazing.
There is also the cost of on-going maintenance and redecoration, which is vastly reduced if double glazing is already fitted, as modern double glazed windows and doors require very little maintenance to keep them looking like new. All in all, why on earth would home owners not want energy saving double glazing that cuts heating bills down, insulates and protects the home, thereby making it a) warmer and safer, b) a better long term investment and c) consequently easier to sell in the future?
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
If you are not already, I am hoping you will soon be aware of the Government proposals to drastically revise Part L of the Building Regulations in 2010. As, if these proposals do come into effect on 1st October 2010 as the Government plans, they will affect all existing English and Welsh properties, whose owners wish to install replacement windows in the future.
In addition, property owners looking to build an extension or a new property after 1st October 2010 will have to ensure that the extension or new building is at least 25% more efficient than current new buildings have to be, which will obviously have a cost implication, although not every component of a building will have to improve by 25%, but overall it will have to, so some elements clearly are going to have to be made/built to a higher specification to deliver the substantial energy efficiency savings these proposals are looking to achieve.
Pilkington published “Bulletin 9″ in September 2009 as a “guide to help architects, specifiers and the glazing industry to understand the new proposals and how these changes affect their industries.” It would certainly be worth your while to read Pilkington’s Bulletin 9 which summarizes all the proposed Government Building Regulation Part L changes to existing/new dwellings, existing/new buildings, listed buildings, new conservatories and building in a conservation area.
If these proposed changes are adopted (which given the Government’s carbon reduction targets seems likely), the implications for homeowners, as well as commercial and public buildings are enormous, as from 1st October 2010, no property owner will be legally allowed to install windows that have do not have a British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) energy rating certificate of “C” or above.
Currently therefore, the vast majority of retail double glazing products being sold in the UK (which are band “D” or below) will become obsolete overnight, as property owners will only have until a deadline of 30th September 2010 to have completed their installation with these less energy efficient products. Many homeowners who may have started their window refurbishment programme using these double glazing products, will only have until 30th September 2010 to install “matching” windows to those they already have if these proposals go ahead as planned.
Consequently, there may well be a rush by property owners to order replacement windows in time to ensure they are supplied and fitted before the deadline. Demand in this situation would be likely to outstrip supply, so it will be worth keeping a close eye on whether or not these proposals are adopted, the decision on which will hopefully be announced by the Government by Easter 2010, giving property owners the time to order aesthetically matching identical products before the cut off point should they wish to.
Normally having “C” rated or above double glazed windows does cost more, so these Government proposals will have the effect of overnight pushing up the cost of replacement windows for everyone in the land, as the most energy saving, energy efficient windows are more expensive due to the higher specification required, so that they comply with the strict energy rating standards set by the British Fenestration Rating Council.
Although higher rated energy rated windows cost more (than less well rated ones), they do have significant environmental benefits as they reduce your carbon footprint by cutting emissions, save on your energy consumption (consequently reduce your energy bills). So, although the initial outlay may be a bit more, the long term gain offers a decent return on your investment in terms of saving money on your heating bills when you install energy efficient double glazing.
You can find out more about the current Building Regulations in England & Wales on the Pilkington website as well as on the planning portal.
CATAGORY|Saving Energy, Windows & Doors
When it comes to reducing our own carbon footprint or reducing our energy consumption, we all have to start somewhere. Doing nothing yourself just because other people do nothing to reduce climate change is obviously not the answer, but leading by example is always a good way to go.
We can all start by being more efficient by using energy-efficient light bulbs, turning down the thermostat on our central heating or night storage heaters. We can get a Home Energy Check done, run our fridges at 3-5°C, plus heat hot water to only 60°C, draw curtains earlier in the day thereby retaining more heat indoors. We can also set the washing machine to 30-40°C, dry clothes naturally, recycle, switch electrical equipment we are not using off as soon as we have stopped using it and print less emails and literature.
An important and effective way to reduce our carbon footprint is to insulate our homes and workplaces. We can do this by improving loft insulation, insulating cavity walls, laging boilers and pipes, insulating hot water tanks, installing solar hot water systems, along with energy efficient, energy saving double glazing.
We can choose to travel less, work from home wherever possible rather than commuting, car-share and fly less. Other ways to reduce our carbon footprint and help the environment include eating green, cutting down on meat consumption (farming animals for food leaves a huge carbon footprint), buying as much local produce as possible therefore reducing “food miles”.
We can also opt to think rainforest and shop “forest-friendly” (look for the logos of the Forest Stewardship Council or the Rainforest Alliance) when buying wooden things as deforestation accounts for 20 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. It is never too late to start to reduce your carbon footprint, which at the end of the day is your call, but whatever your actions (and those of others), we will have to all live with the consequences in the short, medium and long term.
CATAGORY|Carbon Footprint, Saving Energy
