The Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) announces certification is now available for products with automation. AERC’s Energy Performance rating and certification program, developed with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is designed to offer independent and accurate information about the energy performance of window attachment products.
A recent report from Baltimore Gas & Electric has shown that shade automation can yield substantial energy savings. On average, customers saved 13.5 percent on electricity and 3.4 percent on gas over the installation period.
U.S. climates are becoming increasingly unpredictable and energy costs continue to rise. The use of automated window attachments is a proven solution to address both. Automated window attachment products provide optimal energy savings and comfort due to the ability to schedule opening and closing throughout the day and according to weather.
To illustrate the energy performance of automated products, the AERC Energy Improvement Label and the AERC Consumer Product Database will now indicate the improved energy rating with automation as well as the standard energy rating number. This shows what the product’s energy rating is if used with automation, providing consumers with the data on a product’s performance best suited for their environment.
About 30 percent of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76 percent of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows will enter to become heat, according to the DOE. This means many homeowners are spending more money than necessary on heating and air conditioning. Investing in window coverings with a maximum amount of potential energy savings can have substantial impact on consumers utility bills for years to come.
A variety of product types such as shades, screens, draperies, awnings, and shutters can be motorized, automated, and integrated with smart home technologies or energy management systems in residential or commercial settings. Shades can be scheduled and accessed through manufacturers’ apps or integrate with smart home technologies, including Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Nest thermostat, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Control4, and others. They can be programmed to operate automatically based on the weather, temperature, sunrise/sunset, and can be personalized to your schedule.
Automation provides a smart solution to increase energy performance and comfort which can be easily integrated with many of today’s in-home technology systems, said Ralph Vasami, Executive Director, AERC. “With AERC’s automation rating, the products performance is clearly communicated, providing consumers with the information needed to make informed decisions about their window attachments needs.”
Automation offers a significant opportunity to address energy performance and comfort but are advantageous for a variety of reasons. Automation provides added security, access to hard-to-reach windows, safer cordless options for homes with small children and benefits those with swaying climates.
