NorDan has once again proved that its timber windows can be much more energy efficient than virtually every other timber, aluminium or PVC-U window by achieving an impressive A +20 BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) window energy rating for a special-build NTech Passive tilt and turn window. Across the thousand-plus other certificates with an A-G rating awarded by the BFRC only one other window has achieved a higher rating, of A +29. The NTech Passive tilt and turn window also scored a high A +4 rating, making it one of the three top rated timber windows. The A +4 BFRC rating was achieved using a standard produced NTech Passive window, readily available now for architects and specifiers. The triple glazed window incorporates two layers of super low-E coatings, warm edge silicon spacers and argon gas-filled cavities. Donnie MacNeill, NorDan technical co-ordinator, says: While we are extremely proud of scooping such a fantastically high rating, the highest ever for a timber window, were in fact more proud of achieving the A +4 rating on our standard, nothing extra added, NTech Passive tilt and turn. This is because we know the A +4 rated NTech Passive window is already in production and has been specified and incorporated into the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 Kingspan Lighthouse and the Code Level 5 Stewart Milne Group Sigma Home. But more importantly the A +4 standard NTech Passive window has a very low embodied energy. Astute architects are already fully au fait with the implications and legislation surrounding Zero Carbon Homes and will not only consider energy efficiency ratings, but will also take on board other energy considerations from low U-values to a products embodied energy. This means considering how raw materials are produced, how much energy is used in the manufacturing process through to finished product as well as transportation. Donnie continues: The standard NorDan NTech Passive was specifically designed to combine low whole window U-values at point of use, with low whole life energy use. High A ratings can be achieved by adding extras to a window, but this is usually at a compromise to the energy efficiency of the life cycle of the product. It is for this reason we are most proud of the high A +4 rating for the standard NTech Passive timber window. Whats more, the NTech Passive window also has a PEFC chain of custody certificate meaning the high quality timber used comes from sustainable sources and can be traced from forest to factory.