Commercial Fms Can Access DOE Window Purchase Program

Builders, contractors, architects, schools and universities, lodging, public and senior housing, 2nd weatherization and public agencies in search of more energy efficient windows at cost-effective prices will now have additional options available to them as the Department of Energy (DOE) High Performance Windows Volume Purchase Program expands.

A triple pane window (Photo courtesy of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

On May 3, 2011, the DOE program’s managers will announce new products and vendors and launch the next phase of the program at the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City, UT. High performance windows, such as triple pane windows, can reduce a building’s heat loss through windows, improving occupant comfort and overall energy efficiency.

The expanded program will offer windows for commercial and residential buildings, and an expanded web site designed to make finding window products, prices, and vendors easier. The volume purchase program was launched in May 2010 to bring new and emerging technologies to the market at competitive prices. Although highly insulating windows have been available for several years they have existed primarily as niche products that have been too expensive for widespread market adoption.

With a minimum order requirement of only 20 windows, buyers can select an appropriate window or low-E storm window from more than 30 vendors who have met the requirements of this DOE program. Buyers interested in pricing and specifying highly insulating windows can access the website to begin a search.

“The high performance windows and low-E storm windows in the program can offer significant energy efficiency at attractive prices that make them cost effective in heating-dominate climate zones,” said Graham Parker, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory senior staff engineer who manages the program for DOE’s Building Technologies Program. The high performance windows also qualify for federal and utility incentives and rebates being offered across the country, he said. In addition, the program has been expanded to offer commercial windows that also are high performance.

The rate of heat loss determines the window surface temperature and the need for perimeter heating. (courtesy of U.S. DOE)