The White House released its 2019 budget proposal on Monday, and the popular Energy Star program is once again facing major changes. While Energy Star continues under the 2019 plan, it wouldn’t be funded by taxpayer money. Instead, the budget seeks to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer the program entirely through user […]
It’s been another busy year in the door and window industry, with legislation, company closings and more generating headlines. With that in mind, here are the stories that saw the most web traffic on DWM in 2017. 1. After Closure of B.F. Rich, What’s Next? In February, the sudden closure of window maker B.F. Rich […]
From a new administration in Washington that’s really shaken things up in the energy-efficiency realm to devastating hurricanes that tested the limits of impact products and building codes, 2017 was quite a year for the door and window industry. Some of the biggest changes came via the legislative and regulatory regime in D.C. The election of […]
Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass) has launched an online “Guide to Energy Star Criteria” page at vitrowindowglass.com to help consumers understand the Energy Star program, select windows to maximize energy savings in their homes and find Vitro Glass residential window dealers in their area. The portal details the most recent Energy Star criteria for […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to Energy Star stakeholders last week letting us know that it is re-evaluating Energy Star procedures and guidelines in “… the interest of fostering greater transparency and involvement.” The call to action is for stakeholders to provide feedback to the contents of the letter by Dec. 21, […]
“I’m pretty sure we’re not going to make everybody happy.” That’s how Debbie Scharf, Director of the Equipment Division of the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada, described the government of Canada’s proposals for boosting energy efficiency in buildings. She spoke at an educational session during last week’s WinDoor trade show at the […]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that it’s re-examining Energy Star’s guidelines and procedures for its specification-setting process. In a letter to stakeholders from Ann Bailey, the branch chief for Energy Star products, she said EPA has identified a number of potential improvements. The agency is inviting stakeholders to provide insights on these […]
The House Energy and Commerce Sub-Committee held a discussion hearing today on possible legislation that could lead to major changes to the Energy Star program. The bill’s biggest proposal would transfer the program’s leadership from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Department of Energy (DOE). “This hearing today is a starting point for reforming […]
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed an appropriations package that preserves the Energy Star program while slashing its budget for 2018. The collection of spending bills could wind up being part of the final federal budget for 2018. The 2018 spending bill would fund Energy Star at $31 million. That’s 53 percent less than […]
Earlier this month, the EPA and third-party expert D+R International held a webinar to introduce the first draft of the Energy Star for Exterior and Interior Storm Windows criteria. While the target seems to be the clear-glass segment of the existing storm window market, we all need to be aware of the proposal, its potential […]
