Times they are a changing. Well, in the world of U-Values and WERs that is. Thanks to the door market promoting the use of U-Values, it appears that this more industry-accepted format of energy efficiency seems to be making inrodes into the world of WERs. So what makes me say this? It's Down To The [...]
[youtube_video id="5GIW8oUigMY"] Anyone pick up on something at the end of that ad? Hopefully, you will have noticed that Everest have now started saying that their windows are more energy efficient that A rated windows. Naturally, that got me scratching my head. Surely this meant that Everest were ditching WER's and selling against it? I [...]
As the standards of standard double glazing get higher and higher, so do the energy ratings. A rated windows on the A-G scale are now very common. It's odd if an installer isn't actually able to fit an A rated window! But this has led to manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what double glazing can [...]
It still amazes me how many companies still only offer a C rated window as their standard offering. In October 2010, as we all know, the law changed to make the new standard of energy efficient window a C, up from E. But with A rated windows being very readily available, I still think there [...]
>Whenever new initiatives are introduced, usually some market research takes place to see if the proposed idea is worth rolling out. So, when I found the following report published by Reuters in mid-March of this year, I started to question the strength of the foundations of the WER scheme:(Reuters) - British consumers are still thinking [...]
>There is a lot of speculation that come 1st October, those who haven't conformed to the new rule changes to Part L will go out of business. But is that a scenario that is likely to occur? I don't think so. Let's think about this realistically. Will manufacturers really not conform to the new rules [...]
>There are still many in the industry that report that only a quarter, perhaps a third maximum, of all companies are actually actively promoting and selling energy rated windows. We took the decision a while back to sell only 'A' rated windows as standard, which was made easier by our manufacturers dropping the energy rated [...]
>What is becoming quite obvious to me now is that customers are confusing energy efficiency with quality. This is a common misconception. We all now it is quite easy to achieve an 'A' rated window if you have the right ingredients; argon gas, super spacers, low iron, low E etc. But this doesn't mean that [...]
>One thing that I don't think companies are doing enough is making use of energy savings calculators. We have one we use at the minute and we find it a great help when trying to get across to the customer how our 'A' rated windows could save them significant amounts of money when compared to what [...]
>It seems to me that there is going to be a lot more scrutiny of the WER scheme to come. The big question going around is how reliable and accurate are the methods that are used to calculate all the facts and figures needed to judge how efficient a window actaully is. The last thing [...]
>WER's have done well for the window industry. I know there is an argument about how we actually come to get accurate values to come up with an eventual rating, but that aside, it's given the customer something quantifiable. Just like white goods have the same energy scaling, customers instantly recognise it. But how many [...]
>What would have happened to the window industry if WER's hadn't come along? Before window energy ratings showed their face, companies were trundeling along, selling their windows and doors on the same selling points: security and aesthetics. What used to split companies apart was the security that was used in their windows and doors. Luckily [...]
>I said on RCG's blog I wouldn't write a post about the changes to Document L because Kevin Ahern covered my point well. But I'm going to, and I'm going to be blunt!I think the BFRC and the GGF had all this planned months ago, it's all too convenient! The BFRC set up the OPTIONAL [...]
>Over the past week the news has been littered with reports and predictions of energy costs rises between 14-25%, with the worst case scenarios of a rise of up to 60%, over the next 5-6 years. All above inflation.Everyone's immediate reaction might be one of worry and concern. But if you’re in the double glazing [...]
>The WER supplement to the Glass Times magazine has provided information on the costs involved to join the Authorised Retailers scheme. They are as follows:There is a one off registration fee of £200To licence a single product (per annum): £199To licence multiple products (per annum): £399They do also point out however that between the 1st [...]
>As of the 1st September, installers will now be able to install their energy rated windows under their own labels, and not their supplier's. From the selling angle, this is great for installers, as I'm sure many would rather advertise energy rated windows under their own label, and not their supplier's. For a change there [...]
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