Conservation of Fuel and Power
Part L / Window Energy Ratings
In England and Wales, Building Regulations for the conservation of fuel and power are covered by Part L and its accompanying "Approved Documents". The current Part L regulations came into effect on April 6th 2006 and the next stage of future changes have recently been announced.
To help you understand the implications of changes to the Building Regulations Part L 2010 (England and Wales), we have produced a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation which is now available to view by clicking here . Also, a summary of the changes, which come into force on 1st October 2010, can be found in our latest update - Bulletin 10.
In response to requests from the Industry for a clear long term framework, the Government Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has subsequently publicised a roadmap for future changes in Part L. Changes are to be introduced in 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019 gradually improving the energy efficiency of buildings. By 2016 new homes are intended to be zero carbon.
One of the most significant changes in the regulations was the introduction of Window Energy Ratings (WER) as an alternative to U values as a criterion for compliance. Window Energy Ratings are a much more accurate indicator of the energy performance of a window because they take a range of factors into account, including the useful solar heat gain. We have explained Ratings in more detail in our our Window Energy Ratings Bulletin 3.
Window Energy Ratings are administered by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC), Thermal Rating Register (Certass) and the BSI. Detailed information on obtaining BFRC Ratings for windows can be found on:
www.bsigroup.com/en/ProductServices/energykitemark/WER/
To view details of the full Pilkington range of Thermal Insulation glass please click here.