Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Pilkington energiKare™?
- What is different about Pilkington Optiwhite™ glass ?
- Why should I be interested in Pilkington energiKare™?
- Where can I buy windows containing the Pilkington energiKare™ system?
- How do I know that the windows containing Pilkington energiKare™ have been installed?
- Does Pilkington energiKare™ comply with Building Regulations ?
- Is Pilkington energiKare™ compatible with internal Georgian Bars, applied leads or applied bevels?
- Is Pilkington energiKare™ applicable to aluminium and timber framed as well as uPVC framed windows?
- What is the lifespan of Pilkington energiKare™?
- Can I combine Pilkington energikare™ with tinted glass?
- Why is it important that the double glazing in my windows is Pilkington energiKare™?
- Is Pilkington energiKare™ suitable for use in conservatories?
- Just how much will my home energy bill be reduced through the installation of Pilkington energiKare™?
- Is Pilkington therefore guaranteeing the quality of the windows I have installed? [ top ]
1. What is Pilkington energiKare™?
It is a double glazing system designed for highly energy efficient windows. With suitable frame materials Pilkington energiKare™ can help achieve a Window Energy Rating in the range A – C showing the scale of this energy efficiency in the same way as domestic electrical items are rated.
The unit has a back pane of Pilkington K Glass™ to keep heat in and a front pane of Pilkington Optiwhite™ which lets more of the sun's heat in than ordinary glass. This means that your home can benefit from free heat from the sun. It also uses either Argon gas filling or a special warm edge spacer bar to provide extra heat insulation.
Reputable window companies around the country have been invited to use Pilkington energiKare™ in their windows and join the installer scheme so that energy efficient windows can be made available in your area.
2. What is different about Pilkington Optiwhite™ glass?
Purer raw materials are used to manufacture Pilkington Optiwhite™ resulting in a clearer, more colour neutral glass. When used in Pilkington energiKare™ higher levels of light and solar heat transmission are achieved enabling the home to benefit from free heat from the sun.
[ top ]3. Why should I be interested in Pilkington energiKare™?
There has been widespread news interest about global warming and the damage to our environment as well as in the escalating costs of energy for the home in terms of the prices of electricity, gas and oil. Therefore, when replacing your windows it is a good idea to consider more energy efficient windows so that you can save money on fuel bills and do your bit for the environment. [ top ]
4. Where can I buy windows containing the Pilkington energiKare™ system?
Registered partners are listed in the supplier finder on our website. If you live in the UK simply enter your postcode to see a list of companies who will install in your area. If you live in Ireland click on your county in the drop down list. Please note that these companies are registered with us and have met our partnership requirements however we are not in a position to recommend or guarantee their work. Click here to link to the supplier finder.
[ top ]5. How do I know that the windows containing Pilkington energiKare™ have been installed?
Every Pilkington energiKare™ double glazing unit is labelled during manufacture. These labels will be on the windows as they arrive at your home but will be removed on final cleaning. You will also be given an Installation Certificate stamped and dated by your installer. This has a tear off card for return to Pilkington for the chance to win a monthly prize. If you have any problems with the fitted windows they should be taken up with your window installer direct.
[ top ]6. Does Pilkington energiKare™ comply with Building Regulations ?
Yes. Building Regulations compatibility is guaranteed for all areas of UK by meeting the requirement of a minimum BFRC Window Energy Rating of band C.
[ top ]
7. Is Pilkington energiKare™ compatible with internal Georgian Bars, applied leads or applied bevels?
Yes.
[ top ]
8. Is Pilkington energiKare™ applicable to aluminium and timber framed as well as uPVC framed windows ?
Yes. The performance may differ for the various types and designs of frame as well as frame materials. The minimum performance requirement is that the complete window achieves a Window Energy Rating of a minimum of band C in the frame used.
9. What is the lifespan of the Pilkington energiKare™ system?
As per other double glazed units according to the guarantee offered by your window installer.
[ top ]10. Can I combine Pilkington energiKare™ with tinted glass ?
No, this is not appropriate. Tinted glass is designed to reduce the amount of heat from the sun which comes in and stop overheating of areas such as conservatories. Pilkington energiKare™ is specifically designed for windows and or North facing areas of homes which would benefit from more heat from the sun coming in.
[ top ]11. Why is it important that the double glazing in my windows is Pilkington energiKare™?
The Pilkington energiKare™ system is available only from Pilkington and from other companies who have entered into a partner agreement with us. This agreement means that they make and supply according to the specified design which meets the latest European Standards.
12. Is Pilkington energiKare™ suitable for use in conservatories ?
It is ideal for North-facing conservatories, the verticals could be glazed with Pilkington energiKare™ for additional warmth. However, for South-facing conservatories and roof-glazing applications we would recommend the use of solar control products such as tinted glass, Pilkington Activ™ Blue or Pilkington Activ™ Neutral instead.
13. Just how much will my home energy bill be reduced through the installation of Pilkington energiKare™?
Over the typical lifetime of windows it is possible to save up to thousands of pounds as well as reduce the CO2 emissions by millions of tons. Take a look at our quick calculator to get an idea of how much you would save.
[ top ]14. Is Pilkington therefore guaranteeing the quality of the windows I have installed?
No. The contract for installation of your windows is between you and your window company. Since we do not install windows ourselves, we are not in a position to audit the work of any installer who uses our double glazing. We recommend that in choosing your installer you take recommendations from other satisfied homeowners in your locality or use a company which is a member of the Glass & Glazing Federation hence covered by their insurance scheme. For more details visit www.ggf.org.uk .
[ top ]If you have any further questions please contact us using the following link:
pilkington@respond.uk.com .