By: Ryan Marley

A rated windows are now considered best practice by the Energy Savings Trust and automatically awarded the coveted Energy Savings Recommendations logo. The reason why they are awarded with this logo is they exploit much less energy and therefore have less of an environmental impact. Also, they are cheaper to run. In order to win this logo, the product needs to pass through the strict criteria set by an independent panel.

When the PVCu, uPVC, PVC window have this logo, it makes it quick and easy to spot the most energy efficient windows on the market. These ratings have been created by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC). The A rated Windows, A rated PVCu, PVC and uPVC windows mean that these are the products that help conserve heat in the winter and cut back on heating bills. The windows also keep your property cool in the summer as well as reducing mist and condensation which has often been a problem with existing double glazing.

The rating is based on u-value, solar factor and also air leakage value. To obtain the rating all factors must be balanced such as minimal air leakage through existing windows as well as the amount of solar heat that gets through the glass. Currently, the British Fenestration Council's Window Energy Rating scheme is a non-mandatory system, calculates the overall energy efficiency of glazing products. Shoppers have been benefited by this system as it is easier for them way to distinguish between less eco-friendly alternatives and the top energy saving A rated window.

Looking at the A rated windows may be useful, as they can save you a lot of money and maybe worth putting that initial investment in.