Guest post by Kevin Ahern
As the trade press is full of the BFRC and the WER scheme, I thought a little lighthearted quiz was in order to keep everyone up to speed. There are no prizes, there are probably no correct answers, but there is a multiple choice format that helps keep it simple.
Good luck, and have fun!
What does WER stand for?
a) Wobbly Energy Rantings
b) Window Energy Ratings
c) Wonderful Easy Revenue
Why do we need WERs?
a) To help consumers compare window performance
b) To help customers insulate their houses
c) To fudge the window insulation issue, so that glass U-values lose their significance
Why are WERs to be the only method of compliance to the proposed 2010 building regs part L?
a) for the sake of simplicity
b) U-values just aren’t trendy anymore
c) To fudge the window insulation issue, so that glass U-values lose their significance
d) To provide a cash cow for the certificate providers
How can you prove compliance to the proposed building regs part L
a) You can’t, the formulas aren’t public thus you can’t assess your own product
b) purchase the right to supply windows from the BFRC
c) use someone else’s certificate
How does FENSA fit into the WER equation?
a) Oh , err , umm
b) FENSA take the Low E test machine from their inspector’s briefcase
c) FENSA will commission a new printing press and will take subcontract work for all the industry certificates
d) FENSA will now rename to Office for Legal Development, Ratings Or Performance Excluded, so at least we know what we are giving money for
How is the WER applied to assess the window heat flow performance on different orientations?
a) It isn’t, it can’t
b) It doesn’t need to because it simplifies the complicated process of thinking, thus A is better than C, easy
c) It is a marketing tool
What monetary benefits are there by choosing an A rated window over a C rated window?
a) £26.48 per year
b) £80.00 per year
c) If your A rated window faces north, west or east you may be better off fitting a D rated window which could well have a lower U-value (whoops forgot part L)
What orientation is used to calculate the WERs
a) North
b) South
c) East
d) West
e) A thought out combination of all 4 ……………..sorry only joking, there is no option e
How much Solar gain (in Kwhr/M2) is included in the BFRC calculation?
a) Bucket Loads
b) 5 sunrays per second
c) The sun shining from Messrs Pilkingtons derrier
d) It’s top secret, so we can’t tell you
If DG units are being made with low iron glass and frames are being made with slimmer sightlines, does that mean more sun gets though?
a) Oh yes , lots of free energy
b) Hang on to your furnishings ladies, the patterns will disappear before your very eyes
c) Absolutely, you will be able to sell loads more of those aircon units for the summer, top added value (for the retailer)
How long will it take before a disgruntled householder complains that his A rated windows don’t seem to be heating his house?
a) never, customers believe everything they are told
b) never, because they don’t care
c) 1 good winter, but get fobbed off by the installation company
With the Energy Saving Trust, Building regs, and James Strawbridge all on board, who will be the next organization to sing the virtues of the WER?
a) The Tufty Club
b) Trading Standards
c) Citizens Advice Bureau
d) None of the above, although some may be interested in the claims being made.
If Trading Standards were to ask, “under what conditions will your A rated window be a net heater of a customers house?”, what will the response will be?
a) I have no idea, I just sell what the certificate says
b) It doesn’t matter, these windows are magic, the laws of nature don’t apply
c) Don’t tell anyone, but we have sunshine all year, if the customer can’t store this free summer energy for the winter that’s his problem.
d) Look, it is just a marketing tool, chill out man
After consideration, the verdict, so who has to pay the customer compensation for mis-selling?
a) The installer
b) The certificate holder
c) The certificate issuer
Finally, the BFRC Window Energy Rating scheme is being rolled out so that everyone has enough time to pay their money for some certificates, what would be your overall view of the scheme?
a) A great marketing tool for the proliferated installation end of the window market.
b) A simple and accurate way for the consumer to assess his energy needs.
c) A cynical manipulation of the building regs, by and for, the benefit of the industry big hitters, resulting in the bullying of the vast majority of the industry by a minority that might claim to represent it.
Ok, it is now time to work out your score
Mainly A’s
You are on the marketing bandwagon big time, I guess the scheme has you licking your lips for the added value you can get out of your customers.
Mainly B’s
Get off the fence, and either go for A or C, B is a daft choice of no real value unless you fell on it by accident and the spec is generally what you already offer.
Mainly C’s
I guess you have made the “fall in line” choice. It will enable you to trade and sell a product that will keep a market for big float glass manufacturers who haven’t invested in cutting edge low E technology as yet.
A broad mix of ABCD and E’s
Well you are pretty disgruntled that you are having to sell products that the industry declares are the best, but in reality, may not be for each individual customer. You are probably also a little miffed at having to pay for a certificate that only shows a notional rating in a marketing scheme, that perversely grants you permission to sell these products and thus contributes financially to the whole merry-go-round.
Just a little bit of fun, I hope you enjoyed it!
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