A way forward for Window Energy Ratings

As Technical MD of Certass and creator of the Thermal Rating Register (TRR), I have been working hard to ensure that the TRR scheme offers the optimum level of flexibility to all aspects of our industry.

It became apparent early in the TRR development that the ‘one size fits all’ approach of the other WER schemes were not right for the industry and that the cost was far too high for the majority of small to medium size businesses. From this premise I created a range of options for different segments of the industry.

The newest aspect of the scheme is specifically designed for IGU fabricators. Feedback from current scheme members showed how some IGU fabricators were losing their customers due to restrictions within other WER schemes.

By listening to our IGU customers, we created a corporate installer scheme which puts glass unit manufacturers back in the centre stage and allows them to issue A, B, and C WER labels to their customers at an affordable cost.

We have been able to implement this scheme after creating our own WER calculator for the majority of uPVC profile systems. We hope to have metal framed windows added over the coming months.

As the IGU scheme develops and we have a good national coverage of IGU fabricators we will be recommending to all Certass Installers who want a simple WER solution, that they can buy their IGU from a TRR registered IGU scheme member (a list will be available on our website), who can in turn issue A, B, & C WER labels to their customers at an affordable rate.

Each IGU Scheme member will have the facility to access our own TRR WER calculator, to assess the performance of their IGU’s with the window profiles of their customers, and issue licences accordingly.

To become an IGU scheme member, all you need to do as an IGU fabricator is register with Certass as a “Corporate installer administrator”, you will then be asked to supply details of customers you wish to register with Certass for TRR WER licences. As a “Corporate installer administrator” you will be able to use the TRR WER calculator to identify the whole window’s WER performance for your customers using their frames and your IG units. This can then be used as evidence to issue a licence to your customer for their WER’s.

Finally an auditable trail will be identified between you and your customer to confirm the windows meet WER & Building Regulation compliance.

For more information on the “Corporate installer administrator” scheme and details on prices please go to www.thermalratingregister.org or call on 0845 838 8580.