A rated window is 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, uPVC and PVC 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.

This 'A' rating is determined by the combining factors that will contribute towards loss of energy. These are: Heat loss, Heat loss through air infiltration and Solar Heat Gain. The British Fenestration Ratings Council have put this scheme together for windows, Washing Machines, Vehicles and other products, to help buyers save both money and the environment. This scheme is recognised for a range of items.

The diagram used to measure the least energy efficient is G and the one that is used to measure the most energy efficient is A. These measurements are now used for all windows in order to facilitate the potential customer make a decision on their windows purchase. Not only can it save an enormous amount of money on energy bills, which today seems to be the most expensive payout for homeowners, as well as contributing to saving the environment.

Energy efficient windows or A rated windows, when correctly selected and installed, will help to minimise heating and lighting costs. They will also increase to the comfort and the amount of useable living space in your home. The A rated windows can also help the environment with fewer carbon emissions.

The production of A-rated window is UK based meaning that any raw materials are not shipped from elsewhere in the world, so that it contributes to carbon savings and supports the local employment and economy.

Average window uses little under 20 meters of profile and produces 6kg of carbon. The energy saved from installing A-rated window, could offset the carbon used to manufacture the profile within months.