Advice for homeowners

BFRC has responded to requests from its registered businesses to launch a homeowners window and door energy rating certificate. The certificate will be specific to the property and the products installed and will feature the installers name and date of installation as well as the well-known 'rainbow' colour label. It is the only such certificate available in the UK glazing sector.

If an installer uses BFRC energy ratings as the route to compliance for ADL (rather than U-values) then this Homeowner Certificate can be issued for the client. At the point of notification on the FENSA website installers will now be asked if they would like this BFRC Homeowner Certificate issued and dispatched with the FENSA certificate.

This new certificate will give homeowners proof of the level of energy efficiency their new windows and doors have achieved as verified by the premier, independent authority on window and door energy ratings. It can be kept by the homeowner and presented to an Energy Performance Certificate surveyor and any prospective purchasers when it comes to selling the property.

This certificate is a valuable new marketing tool for installers. Issuing of the certificate can be promoted by the installer to the homeowner as a value added benefit of using that company, as window energy ratings are highly important to homeowners. It will also link the new windows and doors supplied with the installation company and could facilitate 'word of mouth' recommendation. It is issued at the same time as the FENSA certificate and can be supplied with no extra administration for the installer.

This new BFRC Homeowner Energy Rating Certificate will cost the installer just £1.50 (ex VAT). As it is not mandatory homeowners will also be able to purchase this certificate direct in the event that the installer does not provide it. In that case the cost will be #10 (ex VAT) and will be charged to the homeowner. Replacement certificates can be purchased in the event of loss. This helps to give homeowners peace of mind regarding their window energy ratings. 

'BFRC recently surveyed its registered businesses about a number of issues ranging from technical support to marketing,' commented BFRC Operations Director Chris Mayne, '80% requested a BFRC Homeowner Certificate that clearly sets out the energy rating of the products installed. We have quickly responded to that demand and launched this new certificate.'

The certificate will feature the energy efficiency label that recent research found was recognised by 82% of homeowners. The recognisability of this, coupled with the actual benefits of improving window energy ratings, means that homeowners will actively seek installers who can provide this entry certificate (or similar) to show they are getting the most out of their investment. 

The BFRC Homeowner Certificate is just the first of several marketing support initiatives that will be launched by BFRC.

For further information, please contact: Lis Clarke, BFRC, tel: 0207 939 9120, email: lclarke@bfrc.org.

Energy Efficient Windows with FENSA

The FENSA certificate is awarded by FENSA Approved Installers upon completion of an installation. It shows that the replacement windows and doors were fitted in compliance with Building Regulations and using energy efficient products. This helps homeowners to know that their window energy ratings are as good as they can be. 

For compliant, energy efficient windows and doors, find a FENSA Approved Installer near you. Homeowners can search by postcode to find local installers or search by company name if they are looking for a specific company, following a recommendation or review from a friend or family member. 

The BFRC Homeowner Certificate helps to bring clarity to window energy ratings and what these mean for homeowners and their homes. Awarding an energy certificate gives a company's customers peace of mind that they have made the right choice. For more information about this and other important factors for homeowners and installers, visit our advice section.