In May 2010, the UK Government published new revised upgraded Building Regulations for existing and new dwellings in England and Wales, which included documents L1A, L1B, L2A and L2B.

The crucial things that existing UK property owners need to be aware of are contained in the approved Government document L1B entitled “Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings”. This sets out the major changes that come into effect on 1st October 2010, as from this date, as a minimum, all property owners are required to fit “C” rated windows and energy saving double glazed doors if they replace any external window or door. Likewise, double glazing suppliers and installers, by law, can only install products that comply with these new building regulations in order for property owners to be able to receive the FENSA certificate required as proof that their replacement windows and doors comply with these new higher energy saving standards.

The main aim of the new higher level of compliance is to legally obligate England and Wales’s home owners and landlords to fit high performance energy efficient energy saving double glazed windows and doors after 1st October 2010 should they a) replace any existing windows and/or doors, b) have an extension or c) build 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 any new 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.

The big change affecting all property owners (and the double glazing industry) in the approved document L1B on conservation of fuel and power is that replacement windows and doors ordered on or after 1st October 2010 must 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 1.8 W/m2K max. There is an exception where replacement windows cannot comply for appearance or building character reasons. In these circumstances only a centre page U Value of 1.2 W/m2K will be accepted. The exemption applies only where the energy efficiency requirements would “unacceptably alter the character or appearance” of existing dwellings.

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 currently in the UK market place already achieve this high level of performance.

It had been proposed that new conservatories less than 30m2 should be subject to Building Regulations this time round, but thankfully they have not been included, so if you are considering building a conservatory in the next few years under 30m2, you will not need to apply for building regulations as long as you keep your existing external walls, windows and doors intact, plus use an independent heating system not linked to your existing one.

Fortunately, High Wycombe based Energy Saving Trust members, Hazlemere Windows has been fabricating, supplying and installing “A” rated aluminium windows since 2007, when they were the first UK double glazing and home improvement company to design and fit a dual frame “A” rated aluminium window certified by the BFRC.

Since then, Hazlemere have been supplying and fitting aluminium and UPVC “A” rated, “B” rated and “C” rated double glazed windows with high weather ratings, so are already ready for the switch on 1st October 2010 to double glazed windows that have a WER of “C” or above.

All of Hazlemere Windows C, B and A rated products have been certified, tested and approved by the British Fenestration Rating Council, who issue the Window Energy Ratings (WER’s). Hazlemere Window Company Ltd’s energy saving, thermally efficient products have also been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust.

For further information on Part L and energy saving windows, doors and conservatories from Hazlemere Home Improvements, visit www.hazlemere.co.uk

Author Bio: Home improvement UK specialists, Hazlemere Windows have the solutions for those looking for quality UPVC and aluminium replacement windows doors and conservatories. With 25 years experience in home improvement, we have the knowledge and expertise to handle the design, manufacture and installation of replacement windows and doors, conservatories and a host of other, bespoke home improvements. For more information visit www.hazlemere.co.uk

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Keywords: building regulations, building compliance, goverment document L1B, C rated windows,