Watch out, watch out, changes to Part L of the Building Regulations are about!

In 2009 the Government outlined the proposed changes it intends to make to Part L of the Building Regulations in England and Wales in 2010.

You need to watch out carefully if you own your own home or property, as if these wide ranging changes to Part L of the Building Regulations do come into effect on 1st October 2010, as the Government intends, they will affect all existing English and Welsh properties which want to install replacement windows. The changes will also significantly effect anyone looking to build an extension or a new property, as energy efficiency wise, these new properties will "have to be at least 25% more efficient that current new buildings."

The implications are enormous, both financially and practically, as from 1st October 2010 these proposals will prevent property owners installing windows that have a BFRC energy rating of "D" or less. What this means is that the vast majority of double glazing products currently sold in the UK will only be able to be fitted up to 30th September 2010.

Consequently, property owners will only have until this deadline to legally install "matching" double glazed windows to any they have. When, as expected these proposals become law from 1st October 2010, there may well be prior to this, a rush by property owners to order replacement windows early enough to ensure they are both supplied and fitted before 30th September 2010.

So if you do want to fit less expensive, less energy efficient windows, you may want to get a move on, as lead times could soar as demand to get products that are due to become obsolete soon may go through the roof, as clearly the most energy saving, energy efficient windows do cost more, as they have a higher double glazing and thermal specification which enables them to comply with the energy rating criteria set by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC).

Fortunately, the company I work for, Hazlemere Windows, has already registered British Fenestration Rating Council "A" energy rated aluminum and "A" energy rated UPVC windows, and also offer band "B" rated and has been supplying and fitting "C" energy rated aluminium and UPVC windows for some time.

Depending on how long you stay in your property, you can get a decent return on your nvestment in terms of saving on your energy bills by installing replacement double glazed windows.

My personal view is that "C" rated windows offer you the best return on your investment as performance wise they are not far off "A" rated windows, but cost a lot less to install. If you want to you can find out more about Building Regulations by visiting the Governments planning portal or research the helpful overview of the current Building Regulations on Pilkington's website.