If your home is single glazed or your double glazing was installed before April, 2002 then you could be losing heat and therefore money, literally out of the window.

Switching to Energy Efficient Windows (EEWs) can save energy and reduce your household bills by as much as £461 per year.

To help make choosing Energy Efficient Windows easier for householders, the British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC), has launched a ratings system, based on the energy label found on all new washing machines and tumble dryers.

All windows are rated ‘A’ to ‘E’ with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient. This labelling allows householders to simply and quickly compare the energy efficiency of competing products.

So what are Energy Efficient Windows? They are windows that help to contain and conserve heat within your home during the winter, cool it in the summer, keep out wind and resist condensation. They can be made using any frame you choose, timber, PVCu or aluminium.

If you live in a single-glazed house and install EEWs, you could reduce the energy you use by 0.30 tonnes or 18 per cent – almost reaching the Government target of 20 per cent. Add to this other energy-saving measures and you could be making a real impact in reducing your carbon footprint.

FOR MORE INFO

For details on Energy Efficient Windows and details of suppliers and fitters in your area visit the Glass and Glazing Federation website – www.ggf.co.uk or call 0870 042 4255. For information on the BFRC and its energy ratings system visit www.bfrc.org or call its advice line, 020 7403 9200.