Britons throwing millions out the window

British households are spending nearly £500 pounds extra on energy costs per year because their windows are not energy efficient.

Whilst we view ourselves as generally eco-aware, it seems that we are ill-informed when it comes to insulation. New research shows over a third of us believe a house loses most heat through the roof, when in fact heat loss through poorly insulated windows is the single biggest contributor to a home’s chill factor.

To put it into money terms, if you currently live in a single glazed house and install energy efficient windows, you could reduce your carbon emissions by almost a fifth and in doing so save as much as £470* per year on energy bills.

But how do you know which windows keep in the most heat and keep down the bills? Well look for an energy rated window with its energy rating label.

The BFRC (British Fenestration Rating Council) runs the energy ratings system for windows similar to the energy labels that are found on all new appliances like washing machines and fridges.

From October the 1st all windows will be rated from A to C with any replacement windows needing to meet at least a C rating.  A ‘C’ rated window loses 94% less energy than an ‘E’ rated window (current minimum rating).

Eco campaigner and TV presenter, James Strawbridge, is leading the campaign.   He comments, “If you live in a single glazed house and install Energy Efficient Windows, you could reduce the energy you use by 0.30 tonnes or 18% - almost reaching the Government target of 20% reduction per household.”

You don’t need to replace all your windows at once to feel the benefits of Energy Efficient Windows.  You could start in the rooms you most use, like the sitting room.  But I think the message is clear – Energy Efficient Windows mean lower energy bills, a warmer home and a reduced carbon footprint.”

For more information visit bfrc.org.

* In an electrically heated house taken from DTI Quarterly Energy Prices Dec 2007