Are You Ready for New Energy Star Criteria?

There's still a transitional phase to go through, but with the new year, new criteria for Energy Star windows, doors and skylights quietly went into effect last week. A lot of companies, no doubt, have invested a lot of time and money into making sure their products could carry the new label.  There's probably still work being done, too.

For our poll question this week, I thought I'd see where the industry is at with the new criteria.  I also want to hear from you.

Personally, I've been wondering, given the focus on the .30/.30 energy efficient tax credit criteria and now DOE efforts to increase demand for R-5 windows, is the Energy Star label almost in danger of becoming an afterthought?  I certainly haven't many press releases from manufacturers saying, "Our products meet the new 2010 Energy Star criteria."

Is Energy Star taking a temporary backseat to tax credit requirements?  Does legislation tying tax credits to Energy Star have a chance? Is this just a temporary lull and will the EPA, which is taking control of the program from DOE, come roaring back with a new set of criteria? Where do you see Energy Star going?  Where do you think it should go?  Email me and share your thoughts.

With the new Energy Star criteria in effect, my company is: 100 percent changed over. still in process, but we'll be ready by end of transition period. probably not going to be ready by the transition deadline. not planning to carry the new label. If poll form doesn't work in your email, Click Here.

Contact John G. Swanson, editor & associate publisher, at john@glass.org.

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