WHS Halo Website

Our homes account for approx 27% of the UK's carbon emissions, a major cause of climate change. Windows installed using WHS Halo products are designed to conserve fuel and power in buildings, by limiting heat loss through the fabric of the building (U-value). They can be central towards the achievement of a zero carbon home which requires a category six under the energy element in the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Low Carbon Company

WHS Halo works closely with the Carbon Trust to reduce energy consumption and our carbon footprint. As a result of the recommendations made by Carbon Trust and the energy awareness programme that we have underway within the company, we have managed to save some 11,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide between March 2005 and March 2008. We have achieved this reduction as follows:

• Every member of staff attended energy awareness training
• Members of staff carried out energy audit, of their working area to identify energy and carbon savings
• We now only install EEF1 motors
• Work smarter and more efficiently.

Towards the end of 2008 we started our plan to make additional savings to our carbon footprint, by replacing our existing chillers with energy efficient chillers. By replacing our chillers it is estimated that we will save a further 1,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

We also measure carbon emissions on our fleet, and reduce the carbon impacts of delivering products to customers. As part of the work that we have done with our transport company, since 2002 we have reduced carbon emission per stillage of product delivered by a massive 53%.

Based on our calculation of carbon emissions per tonne of product extruded, we can calculate how much carbon is emitted as a result of extruding profile for an 'average' window frame. The average window frame uses little under 20 meters of profile, which generates 6Kg of carbon. By specifying and installing an Energy Rated Window, the carbon used to manufacture the profile can be offset within months of installing the frame. Thus demonstrating a truly 'Low Carbon Window'.

In February 2007 Bowater Building products launched its WER, A-rated frames with double glazed sealed units. To achieve this rating a thermal enhancement product, was designed, that is fitted into the outerframe of the window. The introduction of the patented new product means that expensive triple glazing units can be avoided and in real terms the costs to the market and consumer are significantly reduced.

Energy and cost savings to the tenant can be achieved by Specifying System 10, WER-rated window, please see examples below:

Example is based on replacing timber casement 4mm single glazed frame with a WER B-rated System 10 window:

Example is based on replacing timber vertical sliding window, with a WER C-rated vertical slider

Please note that the example shown above is based on replacing a glazing area 12 sq meters, using gas for heating, having a 5% increase on energy prices and not knowing the boiler efficiency rate.