Not Losing Heat with Sternfenster’s Energy Efficient Products

Sternfenster’s Sales Director, Nathan Court, explains why we shouldn’t take the demand for energy-efficient products for granted.

“When it comes to energy efficiency of windows and doors, companies cannot afford to slip up, because if you can’t demonstrate low U-values or Window Energy Ratings of A and above at the point of sale, then you may as well go home.

Thanks to our retail arm in Lincoln, Starglaze, we have our finger on the pulse when it comes to market drivers, and energy efficiency currently sits at number one. Also, homeowners recognise that a small investment up front will result in lower energy bills over a longer period, and as a result we are selling more triple glazed units than we ever thought we would.

If we were not in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, if energy bills weren’t still too high, and if the volume market was back up to its pre-Covid highs, then we would probably be talking about something else, such as security or flush, etc.

But, right now, people are choosing to invest in new windows and doors because – for the most part –they are thermally efficient, and they help to lower bills and help maintain a comfortable environment.

Maybe you’ve seen some of our video case studies, where a handful of Starglaze customers talked about why they had new windows fitted? Without being prompted to give a ‘right’ answer, they all talked about the improvements new windows and doors made to their homes’ energy efficiency, and how they’ve seen their energy bills come down. And they all chose to have triple glazing installed in part or all of their homes.

At Sternfenster, we’ve always made energy efficiency (alongside sustainability) a central pillar of product development, customer support and our relationship with suppliers, and right now our customers are capitalising on that investment.”

Sternfenster Launches A New Website

Sternfenster’s new website is now live. Our main criteria when designing the site was to create something that was interactive and central to our relationship with customers. And homeowners who visit our site can use our Energy Savings Calculator to see how much they can save by installing new windows.

Installers can also use this tool as part of the sales process, alongside other sales tools like the online showroom and online window configurator.

These can also feed into EasyAdmin+, which produces professional quotes for homeowners and helps our customers have greater control over their account and relationship with Sternfenster.

Our Investment in Energy Efficiency

When it comes to new products, we continue to invest in the very latest machinery to ensure we stay one step ahead of demand. Our new Forel fully automated glass line is a case in point. Recently installed in our glass factory, the new line can produce triple glazed units accurately and quickly, helping us to meet an expected uptick in demand as the Building Regulations demand ever warmer homes.

We’ve also recently launched our new Alitherm 400 aluminium casement window, which achieves a Window Energy Rating of A with a double-glazed unit, making it fully compliant with Building Regulations for refurbishment projects.

The Alitherm 400 can achieve a U-value of 1.2W/m2K with a triple glazed unit (with a centre-pane U-value of 0.8W/m2K), making it ideal for newbuild properties.

Available in as few as five days, the 70mm thermally broken aluminium window also boasts leading weather performance, successfully passing: BS EN 1026 (air permeability); BS EN 1027 (water tightness); and BS EN 12211 (wind resistance). It also comes with a flush sash option and can meet PAS24 or Secured By Design requirements thanks to optional sash claw locks.

Reliable & Long Standing Partnerships

We are not doing this in isolation. We are working with our industry leading partners – including Deceuninck, Smarts, Saint-Gobain Glass, Edgetech and DoorCo – to constantly develop new products, and we work closely with our customers to ensure they have the products and support they need to capitalise on this demand.

Crucially, though, we are not taking the demand for energy efficient products for granted, which is one reason why we’ve been in business for 50 years.

For more information on our energy efficient products, browse our range today. You can also get in touch with the team over the phone or through our online messaging service.