The one thing I’ve found at Hazlemere Windows, is that they faithfully communicate with the growing numbers of customers, year on year, keeping them up to date with the many technological advances and legal changes (constantly occuring it seems!) affecting the double glazing industry.
The Hazlemere Group wrote to every single customer/household on their database in June 2010, informing them of the significant changes to the building regulations after 30th September 2010. Property owners now only have 30 days including today to purchase our most affordable windows that meet current legal requirements. From 1st October 2010 onwards, we will only be able to provide them with windows that have an energy rating of C or higher.
I do however think it is important to point out that our double glazing that has less than a C rating still delivers excellent benefits, and is without doubt a much better option than sticking with old timber or single glazed crittal windows. Not only do you need to purchase these windows on or before 30th September 2010, but you must have had them installed by 5th April 2011 in order for them to be issued with a FENSA certificate. Hazlemere Windows are currently able to promise that we will have them installed and ready in your home well well before this final deadline, so there is no need to panic as long as you do request a no obligation quotation very very soon, and sign/date an order before the end of this month!
It is worth remembering that the cost of having new windows and doors put in your home is a much less costly option compared to moving house. When you add up all the costs of moving home such as paying stamp duty, estate agents fees, removal vans, solicitors and legal fees (most of which attract VAT as well), it can often make real financial sense not to change property, enabling you to stay in your current residence for a fraction of the cost.
Another reason it is worth considering ordering replacement double glazing now, is because as long as it is installed before Christmas 2010, you will avoid the 2.5% Valued Added Tax increase from 17.5% to 20% VAT that comes into effect on Tuesday 4th January 2011.
CATAGORY|Retail, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
A typical UK home affected by the new Building Regulations
New building regulations mean the cost of major home improvements is set to rise significantly from 1st October 2010. The current turbulent state of the housing market has led to many home owners choosing the often more cost effective option of improving, rather than moving. Unfortunately home owners planning to take this route are in for an expensive surprise in October when the current Building Regulations are updated. Help is at hand though, as Hazlemere Windows is highlighting, there is one last opportunity for consumers to get their hands on less expensive double glazing; as long as they order on or before 30th September 2010.
After the 30th September 2010 double glazing suppliers will be forced, by law, to sell windows that meet the new regulations strict criteria. Part L of the Buildings Regulations states that windows sold from October onwards must have a minimum Window Energy Rating (WER) of C or higher. Although these windows will provide better heat efficiency, the extra costs in production means that they will be more expensive for manufacturers, suppliers, installers and therefore ultimately for the consumer.
The next two months present a final opportunity for home owners all across the country to grab themselves a bargain before the last remaining stocks of less expensive double glazed windows are snapped up by property owners looking to save money on replacement double glazing before the new laws come in.
Under Part L of the Building Regulations, double glazing that only satisfies the existing legislation criteria has to be sold before 30th September 2010 and installed before the 6th April 2011 in order to receive FENSA Certification which is required on all new replacement windows and doors (unless otherwise approved by Building Control). After these cut off dates, any remaining stock will be useless to suppliers, so right now is a unique one-off opportunity to purchase more affordable double glazing before several product ranges become obsolete.
Currently the cost of installing aluminium double glazing for a semi-detached three bedroom house is currently around 15%-20% less than it will be after 1st October 2010. Plus, by ordering before 30th September 2010, and ensuring new double glazing is fitted before the 2010 Christmas shutdown, property owners will save themselves the 2.5% price hike when VAT increases to 20% on 4th January 2011.
The cost of carrying out any home improvements, needs to be weighed against the average cost of moving house which is currently £13,500 when both selling and buying a £250,000 property. This takes into account estate agent fees, stamp duty, solicitor’s fees, survey costs and the price of hiring a moving company to transport all of your belongings.
The next six weeks offers a final window of opportunity for property owners to purchase less expensive double glazing while they still can.
For further information on the imminent changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, as well as solutions if looking for quality UPVC and aluminium replacement windows doors and conservatories, request a a free no obligation consultation by a Hazlemere Windows experienced expert or Freephone 08000 825825. Alternatively, click here for more about energy rated windows
CATAGORY|Saving Money, Windows & Doors
According to an article on the Greenbuild News Website entitled “Energy efficiency grows in importance“, research from glass manufacturer Pilkington has found that 76% of homebuyers believe energy efficiency is a key consideration when deciding whether or not to buy a property. But according to the article only 27% of these would actually know how to judge a home’s energy efficiency.
Greenbuild News states that “Architect and TV presenter George Clarke is working with Pilkington to highlight the benefits of energy-efficient glazing, which can mean significantly lower energy bills. Replacing single with double glazing can save over £400 a year in fuel, while insulating your pipework and loft could save householders a further £150 a year.”
Pilkington’s Julia Berkin said: “It’s reassuring that energy efficiency is creeping up the wish-list of key considerations for house buyers, particularly as simple steps like turning down your thermostat and fitting energy-saving light bulbs, can really make a difference to energy bills. Installing Pilkington energiKare glazing, for example, can reduce heat loss by up to 90%, compared to single-glazed windows – it also features solar control properties, keeping homeowners cooler in summer and snug during winter.”
The Pilkington Glass survey also found that garden size (64%), attractive exterior paintwork (53%), the appearance of neighbours’ houses (52%) and the state of a property’s windows (51%) were the top four factors that contributed towards a positive first impression when looking for a new property.
Find out more about licensed Pilkington energiKare Partners Hazlemere Window Company Ltd whose retail operation is primarily in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
CATAGORY|Pilkington Glass, Saving Energy, Saving Money
One way you can save money and save energy according to the Footprints Ecoshop website is by fitting thermally efficient windows, as energy efficient double-glazing cuts heat loss and also reduces noise and condensation problems. According to the Energy Saving Trust installing energy efficient double glazing could mean savings of around £135 on bills annually if whole-house single glazing is replaced with Energy Saving Recommended double glazing.
There are of course other ways to ways to save energy and running costs. Key ones include cavity wall insulation, loft insulation door and floor insulation, whilst reducing draughts.
Statistics from the Energy Saving Trust
* The amount of heat lost in homes annually through uninsulated lofts and cavity walls is enough to heat over 1.6 million homes for a year.
*If everyone in the UK that could installed cavity wall insulation, we would cut CO2 emissions by nearly 4 million tonnes. That’s enough CO2 to fill over 22 million double-decker buses or fill Wembley stadium 500 times.
*If every household in the UK, that could installed cavity wall insulation, it would save around £700 million a year or enough energy to heat 900,000 homes for the same period.
*If everyone in the UK installed loft insulation up to 270mm thickness, the financial saving would pay the gas bills of around 770,000 families for a year.
*We would also save nearly 3 million tonnes of CO2 per year, the equivalent saving of taking nearly 1 million UK cars off the road.
It is obviously up to property owners to invest in insulating their premises to reduce running costs, reduce their carbon footprint and save energy. As the saying goes “no pain, no gain”, as capital outlay is required if one wants to address heat loss, improve energy efficiency, thereby saving long term on energy bills.
CATAGORY|Carbon Footprint, Saving Energy, Saving Money
It may seem a long way off, but I do genuinely worry about how many UK property owners are actually aware they only have until Thursday 30th September 2010 to order windows and doors to match their existing ones, that comply with the current building regulations, but cannot meet the higher thermally performing requirements of Part L of the new Building Regulations that come into force on 1st October 2010.
Likewise, are all UK home owners aware that if they want cheaper double glazing they only have until 30th September to order it? As, after this final deadline, UK double glazing manufacturers, suppliers and installers are not permitted by law to take orders for non-compliant product (i.e. a vast number of existing products), and even if ordered before 1st October 2010, no window or door that only complies with the current standards can be installed after 6th April 2011. All replacement window orders dated on or after 1st October 2010 can only be for “C”, “B” or “A” rated products or those that can achieve a combined U-Value of 1.6 W/m2K
The regulatory facts are that FENSA will not issue a certificate for non-compliant products (i.e. those that are “D” rated and below) ordered after 30th September 2010 or installed on or after 6th April 2011. This has implications for property owners wanting to sell, as without the certificate, it may well affect the value of their homes, or incurring the cost of having to replace the new replacement windows, with “C” rated windows that do comply with the new higher thermally efficient standards required by the Government.
HM Government do not appear to have notified UK home owners of the impending changes, which not only affect windows, but also doors which need to have a maximum combined U Value of 1.8 W/m2K, plus new build/extensions have to be overall far far more energy efficient, meaning the thermal efficiency of the entire property has to be greater through more efficient boilers, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, higher specification products, energy rated windows and doors etc.
The building industry, double glazing industry and home improvement market, seem to have been left to advise UK property owners of the substantive changes, as they will have a major financial impact on any home owner who builds an extension or new property after 1st October 2010, as the higher costs of making the new building compliant to the new Building Regulations will be significant.
Consequently, property owners who want to beat the 30th September 2010 deadline, save money and install decent replacement double glazing (like Sapa Monarch Monaframe aluminium windows and doors) that will do a perfectly good job (which, after all meet the current building regulations), whilst it is still available, must order it in writing before 30th September to achieve their goal. As long as these double glazed windows and doors are installed on or before 5th April 2011, then they will be FENSA compliant, so I can only hope that property owners who were planning to replace any of their existing windows a) find out about the Government’s deadline, and b) take advantage of the last remaining “window of opportunity” before it closes forever!!
CATAGORY|Saving Money, Windows & Doors
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
Property Double Glazed With Heritage Range Buttermilk Coloured Aluminium Windows
During recessionary times, the usual trend is for property prices to fall, which if all your investments are in property, can be rather depressing and restrict your options. With more and more people needing to sell their homes in difficult economic times to release their investment capital, or to downsize to a property they can afford, it is therefore harder to sell properties, especially if they are not in good nick to be able to compete against the better presented fully refurbished homes.
Consequently, if you have plans to sell your home at some point in the near future, it is wise to do it up before you put it on the market, so when you do, you are in an excellent position, not only get the best price for your property by ensuring it is in tip top condition, but also to sell it quickly. Imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking round your home. Think about the features of your house that may need addressing to present it as comfortable, well maintained and in good decorative order. Likewise, the external fabric of your property needs to genuinely provide long lasting protection against harsh weather conditions, providing a warm and secure family home. If it doesn’t it will be highlighted by your purchasers survey, who may well want to either walk away or at best re-negotiate hard on the agreed selling price.
Since the doors and adjacent windows are the entrance and exit paths going in and out of your property, potential buyers are likely to notice them particularly, especially if they are not double glazed and secure. It is a fact that decent double glazing with frames that blend in with the property and area make a house more saleable, and therefore add value. This is never more so than nowadays, with Government Building Regulations legally obligating property owners to fit highly energy saving energy efficient replacement windows and doors. Double glazed windows are essential in making homes warm and secure, whilst delivering significant savings on your heating bills.
Why is Double Glazing Such an Asset?
Double glazing protects properties from the extreme cold during winter whilst keeping the heat inside, so quality of life wise, double glazing is one of the best assets a home could have. The keyword is insulation, as double glazing insulates homes, cutting down heating bills, and by having the right glass fitted, stops unwanted heat gain on sunny days. Decent double glazing works by preventing the dispersion of heat through windows and doors because the second layer of glass that is laid upon over the first layer of glass in simple terms prevents the heat from escaping. These two pieces of glass trap the air that is in-between and act as insulators. These insulators prevent the heat from escaping out through thin walls such as the windows and doors, plus prevent condensation from getting inside your property. Basically the heat generated by the property’s heating system, is virtually all kept in, optimizing your heating system’s performance, reducing energy consumption and cutting down your running costs.
Another advantage of installing double glazing is that it keeps out unwanted noise, especially important if your property is near a road, railway, school, industrial estate or source of noise. This is another reason why double glazing serves as a wise long term investment for property owners and why it is so sought after by home buyers.
Double Glazing Helps Towards a Decent Energy Rating
Finally, if you are selling your home you are legally required to supply potential buyers with an Energy Performance Certificate. This is an important document, as an Energy Performance Certificate delivers buyers an independent assessment on the energy efficiency rating of your particular premises, another reason why fitting double glazing will help you sell your home as is lets face it, it is one of the essential things you will want your new home to have!
CATAGORY|Saving Money, Windows & Doors
1. Remember nothing is “free”
Nothing is free, so whatever the inducement be it “free” installation, no VAT (which of course legally has to be paid by the company you buy from if they are VAT registered), even scrappage schemes, they all might sound good but they all have to be paid for, so will therefore be built into the price of the windows or the “extras”. Ensure you compare a like for like final fitted price.
2. Negotiate
Whether it is on price, or on specification, negotiate to get the best product within your budget, it is always worth trying to explore the options to ensure you are comfortable with the investment decision you come to.
3. Trade windows and doors
If you don’t mind taking a risk, there is a real saving from buying from trade counters and getting a builder to install your windows. However, if anything does go wrong, it is likely to be the fitting, so if you prefer peace of mind then “supply only” is not the way to go, as you should get a far better and longer guarantee on both the product and installation, if you have your windows supplied and fitted by a manufacturer.
4. Be wise about energy savings
You don’t have to get the most expensive windows to get a decent return on your investment, energy savings wise, which is why I personally always recommend buying band “C” energy rated windows. According to Pilkington Glass the money you will save on energy, by buying “A” rated windows rather than “C” rated, is around £600 over 20 years, depending on the size and type of property you have. It is likely your initial outlay to buy “A” rather than “C” rated windows will be greater than £600 anyway, so unless you are happy paying the extra to reduce carbon emmissons (as whilst “C” and “B” are highly thermally efficient, “A” rated windows is obviously the best in that regard), then “C” is currently your better financial option.
5. Conservatories
If you are prepared to do your own groundworks, or know a good trustworthy local builder it may be cheaper to either, do the base yourself, or get a builder who will offer you a guarantee to do the foundations, concrete floor and any dwarf brick walls. If you do go down this route, ensure the base and walls are built exactly to the conservatory manufacturer’s drawings and specifications, as it will end up costing you a packet if they are not, so again weigh up if you are prepared to take the risk or pay a premium to deal with one well established double glazing supplier and installer who offer you the peace of mind you will get by ensuring you get a high quality long lasting product and a decent guarantee that actually means something.
6. Be very wary of cheap windows
Avoid cheap windows, look at the window company, ask yourself how long have they been around and if you are 100% certain they will be around to correct any manufacturing defects or problems with the fitting. It is always a false economy to buy cheap, instead go for a high quality product at the best price you can.
7. Get it right first time
Changing your windows is costly, potentially slightly disruptive and can be time consuming if anything goes wrong, so make sure you get the design and style right first time to avoid changing it in a few years or having problems selling your home if you opt for a frame colour or look that does not suit the house/road. If you are staying in the property for some time it make be worth investing in energy efficient windows or acoustic glass if you live next to a noisy road, railway, school or airport.
8. Bargain, bargain, bargain
This may seem obvious, but I am afraid if you don’t ask (i.e. the right questions, in the right way) you often will not save as much as you could.
9. Buy at the best time of year
If you can wait for new windows, doors, or even a conservatory, the best time to buy is usually around the beginning of December, as this is the quietest time for most UK double glazing companies.
10. Be wary of representatives who put you under pressure
Most national double glazing companies build in massive discounts (and margins!) into their prices to help them afford to advertise and market nationally, whilst paying huge commissions to their commission only sales forces. It is likely the representative you first see will be under pressure to get you to sign before leaving your home. If you do manage to avoid signing on the dotted line expect a call from the sales manager, who normally is also on commission, who may well offer you part of the reps commission to “encourage” you to order.
It is better for you to look for an established local firm with a good name who a) do not use sub-contractors, b) do not build in discounts, and c) whose first price will often be a genuine quote, with anything you can negotiate off, coming out of their smaller margins. Remember, whilst there is always a deal to be done, it does not always have to be on price, it can be on specification.
CATAGORY|Conservatories, Saving Money, Windows & Doors
In 2009 the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) petitioned the Government to introduce a national windows scrappage scheme, whereby householders would be encouraged to scrap their old poorly insulated windows in return for a £1000 grant towards the installation of new, professionally installed, energy efficient ones.
The petition has been signed by over 4,000 people to date, via ePetition, on the Official website of the Prime Minister’s Office – number10.gov.uk.
The GGF maintains that consumers would save approximately £1000 and enjoy a facelift to their homes, as well as lowering fuel bills and becoming more energy efficient homes. The Government would also benefit from reduced emissions from the existing housing stock, helping it to meet the necessary greenhouse gas emissions targets. In addition that would also reclaim some of the grant money in VAT.
GGF chief executive, Nigel Rees, is encouraged by a similar scheme that has been launched in the heating industry, where home owners receive a £400 grant to install an energy-efficient boiler. Replacing a home’s single glazing with energy-efficient windows could save on average £150 and 0.3 tonnes of carbon!
“There are thousands of homes in the UK with single glazed windows, which could benefit from a scrappage scheme,” he said. “This would have numerous other benefits. Not only would the household save money in the long term, but the scheme would help the UK to meet its carbon emissions targets.”
See how Hazlemere home improvement’s energy rated windows can help reduce your carbon footprint, as well as imparting your support for the national windows scrappage scheme – saving us all energy and money in the long term.
For more information visit: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/windowscrappage
CATAGORY|Carbon Footprint, Saving Money
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
