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The Window Market in Texas: Opportunities for Energy Savings and Demand Reduction
Abstract
The use of high performance windows represents
a promising opportunity to reduce energy
consumption and summer electrical demand in homes
and commercial buildings in Texas and neighboring
states. While low-e glass coatings and other energy
efficiency features have become standard features in
windows in states with building energy codes, their
sales in the Texas market remain limited.
This paper presents findings from a pilot energy
efficiency program sponsored by American Electric
Power Company (AEP). The Texas Window
Initiative (TWI) has conducted over 160 on-site
training sessions for hardware store sales personnel
and builders across the AEP service areas in Texas
over the past two years. Companion promotional
activities have also been completed.
The past one and a half years have witnessed a
very significant increase in the market penetration of
energy efficient windows in the AEP service area;
from about 2.5% of total window sales in early 2000
to roughly 25% (according to preliminary data) by
the end of 2001.1 Some of this increase is
attributable to TWI's activities, although other factors
may be responsible for a portion of this increase as
well.
The market for windows in Texas is described.
TWI's approach to promoting energy efficient
windows is reviewed. Initial impact estimates from
TWI's activities are presented. The technical
potential for energy savings and utility peak demand
reduction from the installation of energy efficient
windows in Texas is presented. The paper also
provides some speculation on how the window
market might be impacted by the adoption of
building energy codes in Texas.
Citation
Zarnikau, J.; Campbell, L. (2002). The Window Market in Texas: Opportunities for Energy Savings and Demand Reduction. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /4586.