Smart Buildings

SB-4.1 Low Energy Window Organizations

Energy-Saving Windows: Survey of Policies and Programs to Promote Advanced Window and Glazing Technologies in APEC, Final Report


Short Description

This Energy Saving Windows report outlines information necessary for increased energy efficiency in APEC economies.

Energy saving windows may spread in an APEC economy when the necessary infrastructure is in place. A window energy rating and testing method can enable manufacturers to rate products, compete fairly in the market, and enable established energy policies and programs to make direct reference to these ratings. A few APEC economies have well-established testing and rating systems for windows:

  • AUS: Australia
  • CDA: Canada
  • PRC: China
  • CT: Chinese Taipei
  • JPN: Japan
  • PNG: Papua New Guinea
  • US: United States

Several other APEC economies may be able to increase the potential application of energy saving windows by adopting a rating and testing method. Some of these economies may have a building energy policy or program in place, but without a specific, referenced window testing and rating method, the policy or program cannot guarantee good window performance.

  • SIN: Singapore
  • HKC: Hong Kong, China
  • NZ: New Zealand
  • RUS: Russian Federation
  • CHL: Chile
  • MAS: Malaysia
  • MEX: Mexico
  • THA: Thailand
  • INA: Indonesia
  • VN: Viet Nam

A third group of APEC economies has significant challenges ahead of them. Without a rating and testing method, building energy program or policy, the chance for widespread adoption of energy saving windows is poor. These economies need to consider the
adoption of existing energy ratings in other APEC economies as well as building energy policies and programs appropriate for their needs. These economies may also consider developing their own ratings, policies, and programs, but this would likely further delay
their adoption of energy saving windows. Without the necessary infrastructure of software and equipment to test and rate windows, poorly performing products are likely to dominate the market place. The third group of APEC economies includes:

  • BD: Brunei Darussalam
  • PE: Peru
  • RP: Philippines
In APEC economies where the infrastructure for testing and rating windows needs to be improved, the following recommendations are provided:

  • Work with other APEC economies toward adoption of existing testing and rating methods. Many APEC economies have successfully pursued this path and have more quickly achieved a functioning energy saving window environment. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has worked with Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, the Russian Federation, and Thailand to help implement a window energy rating system.
  • Work with other APEC economies to develop or adopt existing policies or programs to facilitate energy saving windows in the marketplace. Frequently, programs and policies are written by third parties such as trade associations. These groups are eager to work with national, state, or local governments to help them adopt their documents. Examples of this include the US Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1 and 90.2, the Building Codes of Australia (BCA), and ENERGY STAR, a US Government voluntary program with international presence.

Abundant information is available right now for any APEC economy to move toward full implementation of energy saving window infrastructure. APEC economies interested in pursuing these goals may begin working with other APEC economies or some of the mentioned trade associations immediately