Energy Efficiency

GGF SPEAKS OUT ON BUILDING REGULATIONS

CONTRADICTORY MEASURES WILL COST HOMEOWNERS

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has expressed its concern that two government guidance documents, due to come into effect in June 2022, contradict each other and will increase the cost of heating to homeowners at a time when energy bills are already at an all time high.

The changes, which require the majority of replacement windows and doors to be fitted with trickle vents, contradict regulations which will come into force at the same time that require such products to be more energy efficient. Chris Beedel, Head of Government Advocacy at the GGF said: “From the 15th June 2022, Approved Document L requires the majority of replacement windows and doors to be more energy efficient, which will help keep people warm by ensuring less heat escapes their home. But in a cruel twist, Approved Document F, will require that holes are punched into the new windows and doors in order for them to provide sufficient additional ventilation to meet the government’s new standards.” Chris Beedel continued: “Whilst there are many occasions where better ventilation in homes will be good for the health of the occupants, we must trust in homeowners to open windows to ventilate their properties. After all, that was the guidance issued by the government during the COVID pandemic.” The window and door industry is in an impossible position where the new regulations will not have homeowner support. In a FENSA survey undertaken in 2021, 94% of responses said that homeowners will not want trickle vents in their windows.

GGF Group Managing Director John Agnew MD said: “This is an overwhelming majority and whilst we have shared this information with the policy makers, the government are resolute that the changes will come into force regardless. For many years consumers have taken steps to reduce drafts in their homes and make them easier to heat, this change to the building regulations is a complete U-Turn! Other concerns passed to the government about these changes include: • Increased fuel costs for those in fuel poverty • Trickle vents are often taped up or closed by occupants to reduce drafts, rendering them pointless • An increase in noise from outside the home

• Vehicle emissions and particulates may enter people’s homes John Agnew finished: “Clearly we would like to see the introduction of Approved Document F deferred until such time as these issues have been properly addressed. Once again it will be the average working family that will be impacted through additional heating costs, which could cost up to £500 per year.

Chris Beedel, Head of Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations, Glass & Glazing Federation

GUARDIAN GLASS INTRODUCES CLIMAGUARD® NEUTRAL 1.0: DEVELOPED TO MEET THE NEW PART L UK BUILDING REGULATIONS FOR WINDOWS IN NEW AND EXISTING RESIDENTIAL BUILDS

Developed specifically to meet the new UK Building Regulations Part L for windows in new and existing residential builds, Guardian Glass has introduced Guardian ClimaGuard® Neutral 1.0, a thermal insulating coated glass for double-glazed windows that has a Ug-value of 1.0 W/m2K and offers improved aesthetics with a more neutral colour and a lower reflection compared to other 1.0 U-value glass products for residential windows.

ClimaGuard Neutral 1.0 is a single product solution which can be used in its annealed form or can be heat treated for use in safety applications. This means glass processors do not need to stock two different glass products (a heat treatable version and an annealed version) to meet the demand from window makers.

Changes to the UK Building Regulations were published in December 2021 and will come into force on 15th June 2022. One of the five new Approved Documents, Part L (‘Conservation of Fuel and Power’), introduces new minimum efficiency standards for both new and replacement thermal elements, windows and doors. New build schemes will be assessed under the new SAP 10 (Standard Assessment Procedure) method. From June this year it will be mandatory for all new windows including roof windows and glazed doors, to achieve an improved maximum U-value of 1.6 W/m2K compared to 2.0 W/m2K previously. Taking into account the complete window system (frame, sealant, spacer bar, etc.), this means the notional U-value target for windows in new dwellings is now 1.2 W/m2K. This means that window makers and glass processors will now require a glass product with a Ug-value of 1.0 W/m2K to meet these new regulations. Gary Frakes, Regional Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Guardian Glass comments: “In order to achieve a Ug-value of 1.0, Guardian Glass has taken a very different approach, believing that the glass should help bring as much natural daylight as possible into people’s homes, with clearer, less reflective view. Thanks to Guardian knowledge in coated glass innovation ClimaGuard Neutral 1.0 is more colour-neutral with a lower reflection”.

ClimaGuard Neutral 1.0 achieves 74% light transmission for a double IGU 4-16-4 panel (coating on surface #3, 90% argon fill), 14% light reflection and a solar factor of 52%. The product is available on Guardian ExtraClear® float glass as standard, on Guardian ExtraClear laminated glass and on Guardian UltraClear® low-iron float glass, offering better colour neutrality and a higher transparency for even more natural views of the outside.