Epwin Window Systems has urged all in the industry to make their voices heard over the Future Homes Consultation document’s proposals.
Speaking on the company’s launch of its guide to the document, technical director Phil Parry said: “These proposals are in the consultation period and everyone in the industry needs to continue to make their voices heard. It’s also important to remember that this is only the consultation document so there could still be changes made depending on feedback.”
Epwin says the consultation document has delivered some unexpected developments for the industry including the decision to retain the current notional values, keeping them at 1.2 W/(m²K) for windows and 1.0 W/(m²K) for doors. Phil said: “Whilst the proposal to retain the current thermal efficiency requirements has attracted the headlines, now is not the time to be complacent.”
He continued: “One important change that the consultation proposes is to remove the standard window configuration from new building dwellings. This means that each window’s U value will have to be calculated on their actual size. In other words, even the smallest toilet window will have to comply with the requirements, which is significant.”
The new guide is available to download from the company’s Connect digital portal, which also has a live forum where customers can submit their own questions to the company’s technical experts.
Phil added: “Given the intricacy of the consultation it is our responsibility to guide our customers through the complexities. This new guide, coupled with the online support via Connect, will deliver the clarity needed for our customers and give them the information they require to respond to the consultation document.”
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which is responsible for the Future Homes Standard consultation, gathered information from the industry about the future direction of Document L for this consultation. This included the Glass and Glazing Federation Document L Working Group, of which Epwin Window Systems is a part.
The consultation period is open now and runs until 6 March. Responses can be submitted via https://consult.levellingup.gov.uk/energy-performance-of-buildings/fhbs-2023-consultation/
