Hazlemere Home Improvements Highlights Building Regulation Changes
In May 2010, the UK Government published revised upgraded Building Regulations for existing and new dwellings in England and Wales, which included documents L1A, L1B, L2A and L2B.
Hazlemere Home Improvements wishes to inform customers and existing UK property owners of the crucial elements they need to be aware of, that are contained in the approved Government documents L1B and L1A and will come into effect on 1st October 2010.
Major changes in approved documents L1B entitled “Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings” and L1A “new dwellings” require property owners to install even higher performing energy-saving products than currently required if they a) replace their existing windows or b) have an extension or c) build a new house etc.
From 1st October 2010, it will only be legal for window companies to sell windows with a Window Energy Rating (WER) of band C or above, or a combined U Value of 1.6 W/m2K for installation into existing dwellings. Doors will have to have a maximum U value of 1.8 W/m2K (U values are a universal method of measuring thermal insulation). These major changes have massive implications for both our industry and all property owners, either immediately or in the future (see PDF information factsheet).
“The major changes in Building Regulations have significant practical, legal and cost implications for property owners, developers and the double glazing industry,” says Mark Austin, Marketing Director at Hazlemere. “So substantial are the changes, they are something every property owner really needs to be aware of, as they do have massive implications if anyone wants to install windows and doors to match the ones already in their property, given the vast majority of products currently in the UK market will become obsolete from 1st October 2010.”
“The best performing energy rated windows have a higher specification, so by definition cost more, so in effect, whilst property owners will benefit from energy savings (assuming the rest of their property is properly insulated!), after 30th September 2010, they will have no choice but to pay for the best thermally efficient products money can buy.”
For further information on Part L and energy saving windows, doors and conservatories from Hazlemere Home Improvements, visit http://www.hazlemere.co.uk
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Further information
Hazlemere Home Improvements is a major division of the Hazlemere Group, whose 56,000 square feet head office, factory and showroom are based in High Wycombe, Bucks.
Tel: 01494 897600
Web: http://www.hazlemere.co.uk
Email: M.Austin@hazlemere.co.uk