Pilkington North America Applauds DOE
Decision to Delay New Energy Star® Windows Criteria
The U.S. DOE has delayed implementation of new Energy Star® Windows criteria. Glass maker Pilkington North America and others applaud the delay and are seeking to reverse the proposed change.
TOLEDO, Ohio, U.S.A., Jan. 2, 2002 - Officials at Pilkington North America are pleased with the recent decision of the U.S. Department of Energy to delay the implementation of the new Energy Star® criteria for windows in order to further review the changes that are being made in this important program.
Pilkington was just one of many in the fenestration industry who requested that the Department of Energy reevaluate its decision to lower the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for Energy Star® Windows in the central region of the U.S.," said Paul Gore, Pilkington North Americas business segment leader for Building Products. Upon review and additional information, were confident that the DOE will recognize the need to raise the SHGC criteria in the central region to at least 0.55."
On Oct. 19, 2001, the DOE announced that the SHGC criteria for all Energy Star windows sold in the central region of the U.S. would be lowered from 0.55 to 0.40 as of Jan. 1, 2002. However, as stated in its Dec. 21, 2001 letter, the DOE has delayed the implementation of the criteria for three months.
In its letter, the DOE states three reasons for the delay in implementing the change and its reevaluation:
1. To allow more time for partners to incorporate the necessary changes into their manufacturing, marketing and sales activities;
2. To review additional information about the energy savings implications of the new criteria; and
3. To reevaluate the energy analysis in support of the new criteria, which was found to have a mathematical error.
Pilkington, along with other glass manufacturers and window makers have stated that, for the northern and central regions of the U.S., a high SHGC is favorable for homeowners.
Windows with a relatively high SHGC allow the suns free solar heat to enter the home, reducing both heating needs and utility costs," Gore explained.
Pilkington, with North American headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A., is an international company and is a leading producer and supplier of float glass for architectural, residential, furniture, mirror and specialty applications. Visit www.pilkington.com/northamerica for more details.
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The U.S. DOE letter referenced in the news release is below:
Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
December 21, 2001
Dear ENERGY STAR Windows Stakeholder:
On October 19, 2001, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced revised criteria for ENERGY STAR® windows, doors and skylights. That announcement stated that the new criteria would take effect for products manufactured starting on January 1, 2002.
Numerous partners have asked the Department to delay the implementation of the revised criteria to allow more time for partners to incorporate the necessary changes into their manufacturing, marketing and sales activities. Some industry members have also requested further information about the energy savings implications of the new criteria. Additionally, the energy analysis conducted in support of the new criteria was found to have a mathematical error. While a re-evaluation of the analysis may not change the final outcome, the Department has considered these requests and concluded that deferring the introduction of the new specification by three months will result in a more successful transition.
The effective date for the new ENERGY STAR windows criteria is now April 1, 2002. Products manufactured on or after April 1, 2002, must meet the revised criteria in order to qualify for ENERGY STAR labeling. Product labels and sales materials that reference ENERGY STAR produced on or after April 1, 2002, must conform to the revised criteria.
From January 1, 2002, until April 1, 2002, partners should use the current qualification criteria when delivering their products to market. However, ENERGY STAR will not treat any early use of the new criteria or label implemented in early response to the October 19 announcement as a violation of logo use or product specifications. Effective April 1, 2002, all products must meet the revised criteria.
The Department recognizes that consumers will still find ENERGY STAR labels on products meeting the old specifications after the new criteria take effect. During the transition period, retailers may continue to use existing product labels and marketing materials. We anticipate, pending our final analysis, the transition period to end on June 30, 2002. Therefore, retailers will remove or cover ENERGY STAR labels on products not meeting the revised specification, and cease using marketing materials displaying the old climate map, no later than June 30, 2002. To minimize confusion and reduce customer complaints, partners should keep sales associates informed of the new specification.
Questions related to the qualification criteria may be directed to Gary Curtis at 503-364-4127 or via e-mail to gcurtis@drintl.com.
Sincerely,
Richard H. Karney, P.E., Acting Manager
ENERGY STAR Program
Office of Building Technology Assistance
Building Technology, State
And Community Programs
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