Improving windows is one of the most important measures home owners can take to improve their home¿s energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.  A typical home, which changes from single glazing to energy efficient double glazing saves ¾ of a tonne of CO2 each year and £134 a year on energy bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Levels of double glazing in homes have risen significantly over the last decade, a very high percentage of homes in the private sector are now fitted with replacement windows.   But in the recession uptake has declined steeply.  There are still significant numbers of homes ¿ particularly homes in poorer condition and those in the private rented sector ¿ where single glazed windows remain the norm.

Even where homes have been fitted with double glazing, the majority of these were installed prior to 2002 when significantly greater energy efficiency standards were not required by building regulations. Consequently, much of the installed window stock is performing well below its energy efficiency potential.

New materials and installation methods have extended the life span of window and door products, and this is likely to further inhibit replacement sales.

The Glazing Strategy Group is the only forum that consists of all the key fenestration stakeholders that work together to stimulate the promotion of the industry¿s energy efficiency rating scheme and resolve implementation issues.

The group seeks to make the glazing industry aware of energy efficient windows and the BFRC Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS). It also promotes energy efficient windows standards in building regulations and voluntary schemes, such as the Code for Sustainable Homes.

In 2009/10 the group made significant steps in highlighting the carbon reduction potential from high performing double glazed units to government and delivery bodies. In addition to facilitated discussions with the Energy Saving Trust on the role of the industry in the Pay as You Save (PAYS) pilots the group identified gaps in the provision of effective advice for windows. Further, the group fed in actively to the development of the Energy Saving Trust Recommended scheme and the development of industry wide marketing campaigns.

Going forward the group will continue its dialogue with HM Treasury on fiscal incentives.based on its ¿Financial Incentives¿ paper.

Discussions will also continue with the Energy Saving Trust to ensure the correct advice is provided by the advice centres, in particular the forthcoming interactive tools to be used by advisors for different products.

With regards to the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), the group will develop its proposition for an ¿Early Replacement Scheme¿. This will focus on the development of robust datasets to demonstrate effectiveness.