Certification Program

Window Attachment Manufacturers
Window attachment manufacturers can rate, certify, and label the energy performance of residential window attachment products through the AERC Certification Program.

Material Manufacturers
Material manufacturers participate in the AERC Certification Program by having an approved test lab measure the performance properties of their materials and submitting the performance data for listing in the Complex Glazing Database (CGDB) Materials Library. Materials used in window attachment products must have material properties data listed in the CGDB or International Glazing Database (IGDB) prior to simulation and certification of the window attachment product.

ACEs/ Simulators
An AERC Accepted Simulator works for an Accepted Calculation Entity (ACE). The simulator performs modeling and simulation services on behalf of window attachment manufacturers to generate window attachment ratings for AERC certification. ACEs review the work of their simulators and attest to the accuracy of the work product.

Test Laboratories
Test labs can participate in the AERC Certification Program in two ways – either through testing material properties or by testing performance properties of window attachments. In order to test and submit thermal and optical properties for the CGDB Material Properties Library, test labs must participate in the most recent inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) managed by LBNL. Test laboratories can also participate in the AERC rating and certification program by physically testing the performance properties of window attachments. Test labs must submit documentation supporting their ISO 17025 accreditation to conduct this testing.

Independent Inspection Agencies
AERC Accepted Independent Inspection Agencies perform annual inspections of AERC program participants, which may include Window Attachment Manufacturer Participants and Accepted Calculation Entities.

Rating and certification procedures for eligible window attachment categories are being developed in three phases.

Phase 1
Products include cellular shades, blinds, roller shades, storm windows, solar screens and pleated shades.

Phase 2
Products include awnings, roller shutters and window quilts.

Phase 3
Products include drapes, louvered shutters, applied window films, roman shades and sheer shades.

Learn more about window attachment product types

Detailed window attachment certification instructions are listed on the Window Attachment Manufacturers page. Material manufacturers have a different process – see Material Manufacturer page for more information.

For manufacturers, simulators, ACEs, and Independent Inspection Agencies there are annual participation fees to help cover the costs of administering the certification program. Manufacturers also have scaled fees for listing products in the Certified Products Database. One of the benefits of being an AERC member is discounted fees for AERC certification.

Window Attachment Product Certification Participation Fees

*Subsidiary companies with separate manufacturing locations are considered individual Manufacturer Participants and must pay separate fees based on their Participation Category (Type 2 or Type 3).

†Fee includes cost of annual inspection.

Window Attachment Certified Products Database (CPD) Listing Fees

Complex Glazing Database (CGDB) Listing Program Fees

#May be prorated if enrolled in second half of calendar year.

ǁListing fee excludes cost of material testing. Covers first year listing costs.

∆Covers annual per product listing fee after the first year and until a listing has to be updated with new performance information at which point a new submission fee would need to be paid.

CGDB Early Adopter Discount

Effective August 1, 2018, AERC is offering its members a significant discount in CGDB submission fees to encourage participation in the program. Discounted fees will remain in effect for listings submitted six months from the final approval of grouping rules in AERC 1.1 (date TBD). To access the discounted fees listed in the table below, AERC members must meet the following requirements:

1. Be an AERC member in good standing.
2. By December 31, 2018, submit a signed letter using the AERC template committing to a number of listings that the manufacturer will submit under the early adopter discount.
   1. Manufacturer will only be eligible to receive the early adopter discount for the amount of listings committed to in this letter.
3. Pay a non-refundable deposit in the amount of half the cost of the total number of listings committed.
   1. As listings are submitted, AERC will track the number of listings for which it has already received a deposit and will invoice for the balance due on the listings submitted in excess of the deposit until either:
      1. The manufacturer reaches the number of listings to which they committed; OR
      2. The early adopter discount period ends. At which point AERC will begin to charge at the normal submission and listing fee rates.

Visit the Approved Program Contacts page for contact information.