For Manufacturers
Over the past year, the Windows Volume Purchase Program has developed significant interest from the window industry, and after the Windows Volume Purchase RFP process (released December 18, 2009 and closed on February 19, 2010), more than 50 qualified manufacturers are eligible for the DOE Windows Volume Purchase Program. This great success demonstrates the nation's enthusiasm for more readily available energy efficient products in the mainstream marketplace and for the next step toward zero-energy buildings across the country. See resources for manufacturers for additional information.
"Window of Savings": The High Performance Windows Volume Purchase Program Grassroots Marketing Campaign
The Windows Volume Purchase Program Offers a "Window of Savings" with New Ways for Consumers to Save Money and Energy
High Performance Windows Offer Superior Cost Savings:
Example of R-5 Savings at Work: In a typical new 2,400 sq. ft. Massachusetts home, simulations show that R-5 windows save about $100/year even when compared to energy-efficient, code-compliant double-pane low-E windows. In addition to lifetime savings, R-5 windows may offer up-front savings by allowing for smaller heating and cooling systems. In addition, much greater saving can be achieved when an R-5 window is used to replace a degraded window in an existing home.
The Chicago low-E Storm Window Study: DOE, along with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), HUD's PATH program and industry partners, sponsored a field evaluation to investigate the performance of low-E storm windows. The local weatherization agency in Chicago identified six older homes with single-pane windows to use in the study. The study concluded that low-E storm windows reduced heating load by 20% with less than a five-year simple payback.
High Performance Windows Offer Superior Energy Savings:
R-5 windows (a U-factor of around 0.2), compared to cold and mixed climate ENERGY STAR® windows with a U-factor of around 0.3, reduce average heat loss through the window by more than 30%.
Low-E storm windows can reduce heat loss through single-pane windows by over 50%. Low-E storm windows can offer additional benefits by reducing air infiltration.
Boots on the Ground
A strong grassroots organization will be crucial so that the message of the windows volume purchase is delivered to the decision-makers at the local level. This "Boots on the Ground" strategy will consist of national, state, and local partnerships with key stakeholders.
Over the past year, the volume purchase program has developed strong working relationships with various stakeholders that represent key buyer groups. These key stakeholders will help develop our "Boots on the Ground" strategy with their members, partners, and stakeholders. Please see our partners who wrote program letters of support.
Regional Workshops and Conference Presence
Three regional workshops took place in targeted regions throughout the summer and fall of 2010: The Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and the Mid-Atlantic.
Each facilitated workshop included key presenters, industry and marketing partners, as well as represented buyer groups.
Members of the Windows Volume Purchase Team will also be regular attendees at specific annual conferences that attract our target buyer groups. Buyer groups include home builders, contractors, weatherization agencies, apartment owners/operators, nonprofit agencies, state/local governments, light commercial building owners, public and private education facility managers, public housing authorities as well as the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
See examples of the Windows Volume Purchase Program in the media.
In the Future
The Buildings Technology Program (BTP) will be providing additional support to help successfully transform the market for high performance windows. This support will include a follow on manufacturer production engineering solicitation to further improve performance and drive down costs, addition of commercial-grade high performance windows, a Phase II volume purchase, and visibility and recognition mechanisms for builders who routinely install high performance windows.