Please turn your device to portrait.
WincovER, the BMAA’s long awaited energy rating program for window coverings and sun shades, is set for a soft launch to run from March 2020 to June 2021.
WincovER is based on a vision that at the time of purchasing, end consumers will understand the energy savings benefits they can gain when using window coverings and sun shading devices. The program uses stars to visually express the performance rating of materials, with a maximum of 10 stars for summer and 10 stars for winter.
According to BMAA Director Robert Mayer, who is overseeing the program, the soft launch will allow suppliers to start populating the database with the technical data that is required to calculate the star ratings.
“From the 31st of March we will begin to start loading information into the database and hopefully by mid-year we will have the marketing tools ready including updates on the BMAA website, a POS brochure and online training videos for retailers.”
Mayer says the soft launch will be with selected suppliers and a limited retail network, in order to gain feedback from all stakeholders, including consumers.
“WincovER ratings require material suppliers having their products tested to international standards, then computer simulated into a home environment to determine their energy savings performance,” Mayer told WFA.
“WincovER requires an investment on the suppliers part to test and rate their materials, as well as communicate the results through their distribution chain. Retailers play a key role in explaining the test results to end-consumers.”
Last year the BMAA conducted a survey of retailers which showed pleasing results about the level of knowledge consumers had around the energy saving abilities of window furnishings.
Overwhelmingly, retailers confirmed that end-consumers understand that window furnishings can act as a good insulator with around 50% of end-consumers asking how they could save money with window coverings.
90% of retailers surveyed said they would be willing to explain energy savings to customers and that this should be supported by product labels and an accreditation program for those wishing to use the WincoveER program.
The first version of the WincovER technical program was prepared with the support of the Australian Window Association. This program has been recently updated by Dr Peter Lyons, working in close collaboration with USA counterparts at the Attachment Energy Rating Council and the Lawrence Berkley Laboratories.
Both internal and external products will be included in the soft launch, including roller blinds (blockout, screen, translucent), cellular blinds, pleated blinds, sheer blinds, vertical blinds, venetian blinds, panel blinds, straight-drop awnings, louvres, external venetians, roller shutters and internal and external plantation shutters.
