About the Attachments Energy Rating Council

Analysis conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has shown that window attachments (shades, shutters, storm windows, etc.) have the potential to save significant energy in residential and commercial buildings. The Window Coverings Manufacturers Association (WCMA) was awarded DOE funding to help capture these potential energy savings through the creation of a comprehensive rating, labeling, and certification program for window attachments, which is administered by the newly formed Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC).

The AERC is an independent, public interest, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide consumers with credible, relevant, and comparable information about window attachments and their performance. AERC serves the public interest by providing accurate and credible information about the energy performance of window attachments, which will help consumers, including homeowners, architects, and builders, make informed decisions about window attachment products.

The AERC is comprised of a diverse group of window attachment manufacturers, component manufacturers, public interest organizations, and utilities who are working together to deliver a successful energy rating program for the window attachment industry.

Mission

To provide accurate and credible information about the energy performance of window attachment products, as well as to rate, label and certify the energy performance.

Goals

AERC’s goal is to provide consumers and decision makers with credible, relevant, and comparable information about window attachments and their performances.

 

The AERC Rating and Certification Process

AERC’s Energy Improvement rating and certification program, developed with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has been designed to offer independent and accurate information about the energy performance of window attachment products.

Together, our many program stakeholders work to ensure that the information on the AERC Energy Improvement label is accurate, reliable and consistent. Each product that features the AERC Energy Improvement label has been measured according to stringent standards and have been reviewed and certified by AERC. How to read the label.

AERC Stakeholders

United States Department of Energy (DOE)

doe-logoThe U.S. DOE is a governmental department whose mission is to advance energy technology and promote related innovation in the United States.

The U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has provided $1.6 million in cost-shared funding to the AERC through the Building Technologies Office. DOE oversees AERC’s progress and development to ensure its goals are met on time and in line with DOE’s objectives.

Kellen

kellen_logo

Kellen, the world’s leading partner to associations, offers full-service management as well as support services including advocacy and government affairs, education and certification programs, marketing and communications, meeting and expo production, strategic development, and technology services. Kellen’s managed portfolio includes more than 130 of the world’s most impactful trade associations and professional societies representing and supporting more than 10,000 companies and 100,000 professionals worldwide. Kellen is headquartered in Atlanta, with additional offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Kansas City, New York City and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit kellencompany.com.

D+R International

aaeaaqaaaaaaaaiaaaaajdi2yjhhmji4ltmzm2mtnguwyy04mjliltnlowrjzjk0zdjioqD+R International, Ltd. is a consultancy focused on creating markets for energy-efficient products. D+R has an exceptional track record for bringing programs from concept to major market impact, most notably large appliances, windows, doors, and skylights, and energy efficient lamps through the ENERGY STAR program for DOE and EPA; solid-state lighting with the Lighting Facts® program for DOE and the DesignLights™ Consortium for the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships; the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program for DOE; and the National Fenestration Rating Council.

D+R has worked with stakeholders in the window attachments industry and the federal government over the past 5 years to develop and launch AERC. D+R serves as AERC’s program manager to plan, organize, and monitor organizational development, meeting and events,  membership recruitment, and interactions among stakeholders including DOE, LBNL, WCMA, and attachment manufacturers and retailers. D+R is providing ongoing support to AERC to accomplish its goals within its established timeline.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

berkeley_lab_logo_smallThe Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) Windows and Daylighting Group has worked with AERC to develop test methods, simulation models, optical and thermal measurements, and to develop the complex glazing database. These methodologies are the basis for developing AERC’s efficiency performance metrics and energy ratings.

Intertek-ATI

intertek_atiIntertek is a worldwide group of testing laboratories for a variety of industries. Based on its expertise in independent testing, product certification, and quality assurance, Intertek-ATI partnered with AERC to lead the development of the AERC Certification Program.

AERC FAQs

Frequently asked questions including what is a window attachment, what is AERC, certification and membership. Go to FAQs.

If you have a question not addressed in the FAQs, please email us at [email protected]