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New Regulations Challenge the Industry
AHEAD OF THE CHANGE
PHIL PARRY , BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS
The latest changes to Part L of the Building Regulations in England follows on from the Government ’ s Future Homes Standards 2019 consultancy as part of the progress towards their target to deliver zero-carbon ready homes by 2025 .
Part L is an amended building standard that decrees all new dwellings should be built with the aim to increase conservation of fuel and power .
In December 2021 , the government announced new goals of 31 % less CO2 than current standards and a 27 % reduction of emissions as part of their ambition to achieve net zero . The new regulations have also been designed to pre-emptively prepare for the 2025 Building Standards
As such , the construction of new dwellings must now comply with the increased energy performance standards set out in these new regulations , which includes fenestration products . These new changes are designed to deliver a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions .
What ’ s interesting about these new regulations is that , on the face of it , nothing too much has changed . Limiting U Values for existing dwellings and new dwellings are 1.4 W /( m ² K ) and 1.6 W /( m ² K ) respectively . However , delve a little deeper and businesses soon discovered that everything has changed and implications are especially significant for some frame materials .
As of now , the way window U values are calculated has become more demanding as part of these new regulations . U values must now be calculated as per the Glass and Glazing Federation ’ s Glazing Manual Data Sheet 2.3 , Guide to the Calculation of Energy Ratings for Windows , Roof Windows and Doors . Therefore , U values can no longer be calculated on the CEN standard window .
The GGF ’ s calculation uses a window with an opening light next to a fixed light
with a central mullion . The CEN standard window doesn ’ t have a mullion , which increases the glazed area and makes it easier to achieve a U value .
This change makes it much harder for windows that use workarounds in their construction to meet the new requirements . This is particularly true for aluminium systems , many of which use a dummy sash or rebate adaptor to create an internally beaded fixed light next to an opener . This results in more frame , which impacts the U value .
Our Stellar Aluminium System uses a patented reverse butt joint , which means there ’ s no need for dummy sashes , reverse profiles or adaptors so it ’ s more thermally efficient by design . Plus , its thermal break technology can be upgraded to meet the demands of thermal regulations that will only get stricter over time . It means Stellar was already ahead of the market .
We were already ahead of the changes when it comes to our multiple PVC-U Systems too , with all products complying with the new regulations . This includes the Optima Window & Door System ,
Spectus Window & Door System , PatioMaster Sliding Door System , Flush Casement Window System , Flush Tilt & Turn Window System , Vertical Sliding Sash Window System and the Fully Reversible Window PVC-U System . To help support our customers by assisting them get up to speed with the changes we produced a useful guide to the new regulations which is available to all customers on our Connect digital portal . We have also been running a live discussion stream on Connect where fabricators and installers can get immediate answers to all their questions about the new regulations from Epwin Window Systems ’ technical experts . It has proved very popular and helped clear up any ambiguities and misunderstandings regarding the new regulations .
The regulations are the first uplift on the road to meeting the government ’ s Future Homes Standard . The aim is to achieve a 75 % reduction in CO 2 emissions for existing builds and a reduction of 31 % in CO 2 emissions for new builds from
2025 .
Epwin Window Systems has been leading the way in the industry for nearly 40 years . It ’ s why all our systems were ready for the introduction of the new Part L on 15 June 2022 and it ’ s also why they will be ready for any future regulations too .
www . epwinwindowsystems . co . uk
CLEARVIEW-UK . COM JULY 2022
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