Adrian Barraclough, Chairman of Quickslide, continues his Onsite with Ade series, this time dealing with energy efficiency
We are all confronted with HUGE increases in our energy costs. But putting a bit more effort into selling windows and doors with improved energy performance, will get you extra sales and happy customers.
Every one of us is faced with massive hikes in our energy bills. And every time you turn on the radio, television or pick up a newspaper, there is something about the hardships faced by people, how families are going without their heating. The stories are heart-breaking.
Realistically, of course, the customers you are building an extension or refurbishment for, are not going to be in that bracket, or perhaps you’d better get the money up front! But what this constant barrage of news about energy does is serve as a reminder to everyone, that energy bills are growing and that we all need to do something about it.
And that provides you with opportunities – free promotion, in effect. And opportunities for you to upsell your customers, leaving them with superior products and, literally, a nice warm fuzzy feeling because you’ve looked after them and saved them even more energy. And you with a bit more money in your pocket to boot.
So where do you go with this? The Building Regulations were improved in June of last year, with the U values of all doors and windows improved across the board. But the improvements made were minimal from the previous requirements and after all, they apply to everyone: All of your competitors are more likely to take whatever their window and door supplier provides and, as long as they comply…well, that’s all you need right?
Well, yes. But a little knowledge and effort when talking your customers through a spec, can easily provide them with windows and doors that are significantly better performing than the standard spec, with results that will be appreciated where they count most – in their energy bills.
As a tangible guide to performance, windows installed to the current standard requirements will save as much as £500 per year for an average house, compared to windows installed twenty years ago. That is for windows produced to the minimum performance required by the Building Regs, which is classified as an ‘A’ energy rating on the rainbow charts used to compare the performance of one product against another. But why not nudge your customers towards the best they can buy for their home – triple glazing?
These can give ‘A++’ under Energy Ratings, with the extra pane of glass also improving home security and sound deadening. As a comparison, Part L of the Regs calls for a U value of 1.4 W/m2K as a minimum for refurbishments; our triple glazed casement windows offer 1.0 W/m2K, which is pretty much as good as it gets without getting into quite specialised – and expensive – options.
Triple glazed windows are simply the best and will up the cost by around 30% per window. Which means that your margin will increase pro rata. A word of caution: an extra pane of glass does not mean 33% better U value and they will be heavier to move around site and, of course, to install. But triple glazed windows always feel amazing to operate and will kill noise from a busy road as well as give the homeowner an extra feeling of security.
And don’t forget the front doors: 44mm composite front doors with their PU foam cores, provide excellent thermal performance and draughtproofing. We produce our own, energy rated B, that are fitted with superior hardware as standard, with ‘smart’ options that can monitor if the door is properly closed or not. But that is for another time….
For now, make the most of the obsession with energy efficiency!
For further information on triple glazed windows from Quickslide, click here.
For further information on the Quickslide doors range, click here.
