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.