Government and local authorities are pressuring homeowners to take climate change seriously by taking action to reduce household carbon emissions. A surprisingly simple method of reducing your carbon footprint, for a relatively small cost is by ensuring your windows are energy efficient.

Domestic housing is the leading CO² generator, accounting for a whopping 30 per cent of total carbon emissions. Heat loss from buildings as a result of poor insulation is a major contributor to household CO² emissions and can be dealt with easily. The major sources of heat loss are the fenestration products within the property, such as the windows and doors.

Local window installers Brackenwood Windows, who strongly support the Government carbon reduction initiatives, explain that the problem can be dealt with easily. Brackenwood’s Managing Director David Medcraft commented,

“Installing energy efficient windows is an important investment. Not only will they substantially lower your energy ratings, fuel bills and carbon footprint but also they will greatly improve your sales prospects. Buyers today are energy-savvy and are aware that a home’s energy rating affects the saleability of the house”.

The Government have put in place energy efficiency measures to ensure those buying and selling homes are carbon conscious. For example, since the 1st of August this year, the sale of every home with four or more bedrooms requires a new Home Information Pack (HIP) and is subject to HIP regulations.

When buying a new property the important part of HIPs is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC measures how energy efficient a property is as a building, allowing potential buyers to compare them to one another. The certificate provides the homeowner with an energy efficiency rating taking into account carbon emissions. It is ranked along a scale ranging from A to G. A is highly efficient and G is very inefficient.

HIPs packs and regulations will soon become obligatory, applying to all homes. It therefore essential that the homeowner acts now to improve their household energy rating, this way they save the planet and their pocket.

Innovations in the industry has advanced measurement of a window’s total performance using Window Energy Ratings, a scheme set up by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC). The Window Energy Rating scheme helps consumers to make a more informed decision when buying windows allowing homeowners to the opportunity to improve their household energy efficiency.

Local company based in Basingstoke, Brackenwood, stock the latest range of energy efficient windows and boast an extensive range of styles to suit all budgets. All the windows are BFRC accredited and thermally efficient enabling homeowners across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to be energy efficient.

In celebration of over 20 years of quality service, David Medcraft invites local homeowners to view their their comprehensive showroom in Basingstoke. David enthused,

“Come and ask our experts to view our fantastic range and don’t forget to enter our prize draw to win a luxury case of champagne”.

For more information about energy efficient window and doors come and visit us at Brackenwood House, Kimbell Road, in Basingstoke or call 0800 253545, alternatively visit the website www.brackenwood.com.

Brackenwood’s annual open weekend held on the 6th and 7th of October at their Basingstoke showroom proved a huge success with the residents across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.

This year, in celebration of their 20th anniversary, Brackenwood enchanted Hampshire with the world’s most famous and easily recognised car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Much larger in the flesh, the car is a gigantic the 17ft long and was polished to perfection by guest film star and car inheritor Peter Picton.

Still as popular as it was 40 years ago, the iconic car charmed adults and children alike, drawing in visitors from as far away as Twickenham.

From the moment the doors opened at 10 a.m., the showroom was inundated with potential buyers keen to take advantage of Brackenwood’s exceptional offer of 1987 prices on all windows for the first ten individuals who came to the door.

Outside the showroom, crowds flocked on the lawn to admire the car. Peter Picton explained “The car, as named by Ian Fleming in the story book is called Gen 11 and is based on the famous cars of the flamboyant 1920s racing driver, Count Louis Zborowski”.

Inside the showroom, throughout the day kids amused themselves colouring in pictures of Chitty and watching the original film. Whilst the kids were playing, adults indulged in the gourmet buffet and wine and admired the luxurious show room.

To top off the day three children won the once in a lifetime experience to win a ride in Chitty.

Die-hard Chitty fan Harrison Conner based locally in Popley was one of the lucky children to win a ride. Harrison’s mother surprised him by taking him to see Chitty. Eight- year old Harrison delighted, “This is the best day ever - better than scoring at football!”

The event gave visitors the chance to view Brackenwood’s exclusive colour matching service (1500 different colours!), innovative self-cleaning glass (provided by Pilkington) and extensive range of windows and conservatories to fit customers’ requirements, whatever the style and whatever the budget.

Neil Briggs, Sales and Marketing Manager enthused; “We are absolutely thrilled, it’s been a fantastic day. It was wonderful to share our 20th Anniversary with such an iconic and timeless car. We are especially touched that people came so far to see us.”

For Brackenwood, the open weekend was the perfect way to kick off their 20th Anniversary festivities, which will continue well into the winter months.

If you missed out on the open weekend and would like to find out more about Brackenwood, do come and see us. You will find us at Brackenwood House, Kimbell Road, in Basingstoke (just opposite B&Q). Alternatively call 0800 25 35 45 or visit our website www.brackenwood.com

Fasten your seatbelts! Brackenwood Windows are delighted to announce the guest appearance of the world’s most famous and easily recognised car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at their open weekend, to be held on the 6th and 7th of October.In celebration of 20 years of success, Brackenwood invite families across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to come and see Chitty, yes, the real deal, bona fide, original and still in pristine condition, engine humming, bonnet glistening Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at their modern showroom in Basingstoke.

Local families are invited to come on down ‘toot sweet’ to see Chitty, the original star from the 1968 motion picture who has amazed and inspired generations of children all over the world. Also known as ‘Gen 11′, Chitty is based on the famous cars of the flamboyant 1920s racing driver, Count Louis Zborowski.

The Chitty-tastic weekend honours the appearance of the star car with her original owner and famous member of the cast! Children will be able to watch the action-packed original motion picture on wide screen. There will also be ‘truly scrumptious’ nibbles for the kids. Whilst the children are entertained, adults are invited to indulge in a gourmet buffet and to leisurely browse the extensive range of windows and conservatories Brackenwood have on offer.

Adding to the excitement, the ‘flying’ car (who will be sporting her much-loved red and yellow wings) will take to the road. Brackenwood are offering three lucky individuals who enter their prize draw the exciting opportunity to win a thrilling ride in the marvellous car.

David Medcraft, Managing Director of Brackenwood welcomes local families to the event commented, “In celebration our 20th anniversary, we are giving the first 10 customers who bring in their window measurements on each day, the exclusive opportunity to buy any windows at 1987 prices!”

The fabulous weekend will begin with Chitty on Saturday 6th October. The celebrations will continue on Sunday 7th October, 10am-4pm. So come and celebrate with us! You will find us at Brackenwood House, Kimbell Road, in Basingstoke (just opposite B&Q). For more information call 0800 25 35 45 or alternatively visit our website www.brackenwood.com.