Building Regulation Changes - Part L Compliance

As of October 1st 2010, it is a requirement of  New Building Regulations Part L for replacement windows to achieve a Window Energy Rating of at least 'C', or a whole window (not centre pane) U-value of 1.6w/m2K.

Window Energy Ratings use a simple colour coded 'A-G' ratings guide similar to the ones you might have seen on domestic appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers. The consumer friendly labels are easy to understand and display the particular Window Energy Rating alongside other important information such as the U-Value of the product and the effective air leakage.

Building Regulations have controlled glazing in new buildings for many years. However, new buildings alone represent only a very small percentage of the total UK building stock. It is essential therefore to improve the performance of the much larger number of existing buildings if we are to meet increasingly stringent national and global energy saving targets.

In 2002, all replacement glazing came within the scope of the Building Regulations.

As part of the Government's strategy, all installations of replacement windows or doors require compliance with these regulations and thermal performance standards, in order to reduce energy loss in UK homes and to reduce harmful CO2 emissions, 50% of which are generated from heating, lighting and cooling buildings. The performance standards were tightened further in 2006 and the current standard came into force on October 1st, 2010.

The current regulations took effect on 1st October, 2010.

Part L of the Building Regulations 2010 concerns the standards of energy efficiency in buildings and inevitably affects the specification of both new and replacement windows. Part L aims to ensure that almost every window and door installed in houses achieves a better level of heat insulation.

How is Part L regulated? 

FENSA stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. The FENSA scheme was set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) at the request of the CLG to allow registered companies to self-certify that their installations comply with current Building Regulations, to provide the practical controls needed for the implementation of the new Part L Building Regulations. The responsibility to demonstrate compliance with the new regulations has been placed with the installer of the windows.

Capital Windows is a registered installer under the FENSA scheme for residential Installations and all products are Part L-compliant.

Did you know...

FENSA does not apply to commercial premises or New Build properties. In both of these instances you are required to go through the Local Authority Building Control process. FENSA Registration is also not applicable to the Installation of Conservatories or Porches by a FENSA Registered Business.

Window energy performance can be measured in terms of "U-value". "U-value" is the unit of measurement for the rate at which heat is lost through a building material. Generally speaking, the lower the U-Value the more efficient the product.