Experts predict the Federal Government will introduce Mandatory Disclosure for the residential sector in the near future. That means you will need a current energy rating when selling or leasing your home.

Window film can positively contribute to a building's energy rating while increasing the value of the building.

Once a WERS rated film is applied to your windows by an accredited installer, you are given a WERS For Film certificate. Energy assessors use this certificate to ensure you get the highest energy rating possible. Anecdotal evidence from Canberra suggests each energy star your house receives in an energy assessment could add as much as $15,000 to the value of your home. 

To be able to certify WERS For Film energy ratings, the film applicator must have a current WERS For Film licence, in other words they must be a WERS For Film Accredited Individual. Without this licence, a valid certificate cannot be issued.

WERS stands for the Window Energy Rating Scheme. Through WERS for Film, applied window film products are rated and labeled for their annual energy impact on a whole house, in any climate of Australia. These ratings allow you to accurately and confidently compare the energy implications of different window film products.

2011 WERS For Film Ratings

Below is a listing of WFAANZ Members who have Applied Film products that have been tested through WERS For Film for their energy efficiency performance.

The tables accessed by the WERS Ratings links below use codes for glazing, for a full description simply hover over the code. These descriptions are a guide only, Glazing ID is the primary code to be used.

The following ratings are for residential applications only. Click on WERS Ratings in the table below to see the entire list of WERS rated films for each manufacturer who are WFAANZ members.

More about WERS For Film

WERS is the window industry's energy-rating program, endorsed by the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA).

WERS conforms to the alternative solution path for energy efficiency within the Building Code of Australia, and the ratings will be included in the customs database for Accurate.

To participate in WERS For Film, window film manufacturers obtain energy ratings from an independent organisation accredited by the Australian Fenestration Rating Council (AFRC). WERS-rated window film must meet all relevant Australian standards.

Film is applied to and simulated on four different generic window types. These include:
 
* Standard Generic Aluminium Window with 3mm Clear Glazing
* Standard Generic Aluminium Window with 3mm Clear / 6mm Air Gap / 3mm Clear Glazing
* Standard Generic Timber / uPVC Window with 3mm Clear Glazing
* Standard Generic Timber / uPVC Window with 3mm Clear / 6mm Air Gap / 3mm Clear Glazing

For more information please visit www.wers.net/wersforfilm.

Training

WFAANZ will be conducting a WERS For Film training program throughout 2012 to enable window film installers to gain a WERS For Film licence.

Next Training Date  

      Date        :  Wednesday 29 February 2012

      Location : Country Comfort Greenway, 46 Rowland Rees Crescent, Greenway, Canberra 2900

      Time       : 8.30am - 12.00pm  

Contact WFAANZ at info@wfaanz.org.au to register for training.

Installer Q&As

QUESTION: I am a flat glass window film business that employs salespeople and installers. Who should get their WERS For Film certification - me as the owner of the business, the salespeople or the installers? 

ANSWER: The owner, salesperson or installer can be certified. We recommend, however, that the person quoting the job is the one who gets certified.

The reason for this is there are two key steps in any WERS For Film project -

1) The WERS For Film accredited individual visits the site and goes through a checklist of questions with the client. A film type is selected accordingly.

2) Once the film has been installed, the WERS For Film accredited individual visits the site again. If all the requirements specified in the checklist have been met, a WERS For Film certificate can be issued and provided to the client. A copy of the checklist should be attached to the certificate.

QUESTION: I have just qualified for WERS For Film certification. What do I need to do now?

ANSWER: Once you become accredited you are sent a package of materials from WFAANZ. This includes a checklist and a fact sheet. The checklist is for you to use and fill out during the quote. This outlines the easy steps you must take during a WERS For Film project. The fact sheet will help you explain WERS For Film to your client, as it's important they are aware of its many benefits.

QUESTION: I have taken the Flat Glass Accreditation Exam in the past, do I need to sit for it again to get my WERS For Film licence this year? 

ANSWER: No, if you have taken and passed the exam you do not need to take it again. You will need to attend a WERS For Film training session though.

QUESTION: I attended WERS For Film training back in 2009, do I need to take it again?

ANSWER: Yes you do, but you will not have to pay the full training fee. The program and the market has changed considerably over the last few years so it's important you attend the new WERS For Film training session again in 2011. Anyone who has already attended WERS For Film training is eligible for a discount though.

QUESTION: I would like to get all six of my salespeople WERS For Film certified, can I get a group discount?

ANSWER: WFAANZ does offer group discounts. If six or more people from one company are certified they will receive a 15% discount on the exam, training and licence fees; if four to five people from one company are certified they will receive a 10% discount on the exam, training and licence fees.