Clearwood Joinery has taken the first steps in achieving a British Fenestration Registration Council (BFRC) energy efficiency rating for its windows.
The BFRC rating system has been developed in line with government and international initiatives, including the Kyoto protocol, to reduce energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
As a precursor to the BFRC accreditation, Clearwood has put its Mk2 Flex windows through the British Standard weather tightness evaluation and, most recently, a TRADA simulation test, the first UK timber window maker to do so.
In line with stipulations from BFRC, the TRADA examination measured thermal transmittance (or the U-value) of the entire window. The Mk2Flex achieved a U-value of 1.3, qualifying it for a BFRC ‘C’ rating.
Under the BFRC rules, window manufacturers also have to implement an ISO quality management standard, such as 9001 and 14001, both of which Clearwood has. Next, under the guidance of TRADA, it has to complete an application procedure to the Council.
“It is a very demanding process, but we believe energy rating will be the next big thing in the window market,” said Clearwood head of technical Treve Temby. ” And it’s important for a timber window maker to go down this route as, so far, only plastic window makers seem to have achieved it.”
Once Clearwood has its ‘C’ rating, which it hopes to be within the next six weeks, it will be allowed to promote its windows as ‘Energy Efficiency Recommended’ and to use the ‘EER’ logo.
“Following this we also be looking to improve our windows further to achieve an even higher rating,” said Mr Temby.
