Jun 15 2010
Champion Window and Patio Room Company was approved on May 27 as one of 33 suppliers in The U.S. Department of Energy’s Highly Insulating R-5 Windows and Low-E Storm Windows Volume Purchase Program, part of a multi-year integrated strategy to transform the market for high-efficiency windows.
According to the Department of Energy’s website, the new Volume Purchase Program will facilitate the broader deployment of these windows by pairing manufacturers with buyers looking to purchase large volumes of windows and by setting performance expectations for energy efficient windows.
“Being involved in this program and knowing that the requirements to be at the top are constantly moving, it gets everyone—Champion and other major window companies—to push the envelope on what we can do to be more energy efficient,” said Danny Mickle, Champion’s Assistant Plant Manager in charge of Quality Control and Product Design.
The program includes both highly insulating R-5 (U value 0.2) windows and low-E storm windows. When replacing windows, R-5 windows can reduce heat loss through the window by 30% to 40% compared to a typical energy efficient R-3 window available today. The savings for R-5 windows are a significant improvement over products available today. With higher energy performance windows can become an even more cost-effective measure for building retrofits.
Windows that are part of the program must have National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) thermal performance certification and minimum structural certification in accordance with the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS).
The Volume Purchase Program received significant interest from manufacturers, the building industry, and other key industry stakeholders. More than 50 eligible proposals were submitted from suppliers; over 30 suppliers meeting all program requirements are currently listed on the Department of Energy’s website.
Volume purchasers of windows, including government agencies, builders, energy retrofitters, renovators, and weatherization providers, will gain online access to window sellers whose products are certified to meet the highly insulating R-5 and low-e storm windows specification. Buyers can then connect directly to the vendors' websites to purchase.
Source: http://www.championwindow.com/