AERC-certified Cellular Shades Added to Minnesota Technical Reference Manual for Energy Conservation Improvement Programs
NEW YORK (April 5, 2023) – The Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) announces AERC-certified cellular shades have been accepted to the Minnesota Technical Reference Manual (TRM) for possible inclusion into Energy Conservation Improvement Programs throughout the state. This is the first inclusion for shading products in a Technical Reference Manual.
AERC demonstrated that AERC-certified cellular shades provide energy savings to consumers leading to the inclusion in the TRM. The Department of Energy national labs, Pacific Northwest National Lab and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, provided analytic support to the Minnesota TRM process while a recent Oak Ridge National Lab field study helped support and validate the value of energy efficient cellular shades in homes and buildings. This study showed cellular shades achieved up to 24% heating energy savings compared to generic venetian blinds. In addition, the study demonstrated that carbon emissions could potentially be reduced up to 3 million tons on the national level.
Thermal losses and gains through the windows can substantially drive up a home’s heating and cooling costs. Energy-efficient shading, especially with automation, can enhance comfort and save energy in both new and older homes and should be an essential component to energy-efficient and smart home designs and retrofit measures.
“This is a huge accomplishment as AERC Board members along with national energy lab staff worked on the Minnesota TRM working group for over four years to get cellular shades implemented into the TRM,” said Stacy Lambright, Hunter Douglas Energy Efficiency Program Manager and AERC Board Member. Eligible cellular shade products must be energy rated and certified through the AERC with the following energy performance: Warm Climate rating of at least 36 and Cool Climate rating of at least 9.
AERC will work with Minnesota utilities to implement future incentive programs. As a key product for reducing energy and consumer energy bills, this measure is complimentary to many of the heat pump electrification and decarbonization efforts happening throughout the U.S. and should be considered by other states to amplify their energy efficiency efforts.
For more information on the energy savings and ratings of window attachments or about the AERC Commercial Secondary Window Program contact [email protected].
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About the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC)
The AERC is an independent, public interest, non-profit organization whose mission is to rate, label and certify the energy performance of window attachments such as blinds, shades, shutters, and storm windows. AERC is made up of a diverse set of stakeholders, which include product and component manufacturers, non-profit organizations, government bodies, testing labs and utility companies. Partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), AERC provides accurate and credible information about the energy performance of window attachments, which helps the public–including homeowners, architects and builders—make informed decisions when it comes to buying window attachment products. To learn more about AERC certification or the AERC Energy Improvement Program, visit www.aercenergyrating.org.