A new label on window attachments such as blinds, shades and storm windows will be used to help consumers achieve the greatest energy savings for their climate. Like ENERGY STAR labels on appliances, these labels will show expected energy savings for window attachments in warm and cool climates and enable consumers to compare products based on energy efficiency. The Energy Improvement label, created by the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC), was designed for consumers and also for utilities and other efficiency program administrators for use in developing incentive programs.
Window attachments can reduce heating and cooling energy use by as much as 20%, which could add up given that 150 to 225 million window attachment products are shipped in the United States every year. A map developed by AERC, shows potential residential energy savings in Chicago at $153 and Minneapolis at $223 per year. ACEEE