A new Kitemark Window Energy Rating scheme operated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) provides specifiers and end users of windows with clear, dependable and independently verified data on energy performance, and windows suppliers with a convenient and cost-effective route to regulatory compliance.
Energy performance of windows is an issue of increasing concern for consumers and Government alike and, says BSI — and from 1st October this concern will be reflected in changes to Approved Document L1B of the Building Regulations. From this date, all windows for use in England and Wales must have at least a band C Window Energy Rating, and in Scotland at least a band A or C rating, or a combined U value of 1.6 W/m2K. In order to continue selling windows, suppliers must be able to provide evidence that they conform to the legislation.
The new BSI Kitemark scheme not only provides the necessary evidence of compliance, it also offers other important benefits. It allows licensees, for example, to use the respected BSI Kitemark, which is recognised and trusted by 88 per cent of the adult population as a mark of quality and safety. The Kitemark scheme is also recognised by the Energy Saving Trust, and licensees that achieve a B rating or better for their products are automatically eligible to apply for membership of the Energy Saving Trust Recommended (ESTR) scheme.
Licensees benefit from assessments that are carried out by BSI’s own experienced personnel, without recourse to third-party contractors, and from easy access to the full range of additional services available from BSI, which make the organisation a convenient and cost-effective one-stop-shop for all standards and testing issues related to windows.
Kitemark licenses for the Windows Energy Rating scheme are awarded only after a detailed evaluation has been carried out by BSI inspectors. This includes checking and reviewing simulations, which must be provided by the system supplier or a BSI accredited simulator, and assessing the business operations of the company applying for the licence. The assessments are repeated at regular intervals to ensure that standards are being maintained.
