The use of high performance windows representsa promising opportunity to reduce energyconsumption and summer electrical demand in homesand commercial buildings in Texas and neighboringstates. While low-e glass coatings and other energyefficiency features have become standard features inwindows in states with building energy codes, theirsales in the Texas market remain limited.This paper presents findings from a pilot energyefficiency program sponsored by American ElectricPower Company (AEP). The Texas WindowInitiative (TWI) has conducted over 160 on-sitetraining sessions for hardware store sales personneland builders across the AEP service areas in Texasover the past two years. Companion promotionalactivities have also been completed.The past one and a half years have witnessed avery significant increase in the market penetration ofenergy efficient windows in the AEP service area;from about 2.5% of total window sales in early 2000to roughly 25% (according to preliminary data) bythe end of 2001.1 Some of this increase isattributable to TWI's activities, although other factorsmay be responsible for a portion of this increase aswell.The market for windows in Texas is described.TWI's approach to promoting energy efficientwindows is reviewed. Initial impact estimates fromTWI's activities are presented. The technicalpotential for energy savings and utility peak demandreduction from the installation of energy efficientwindows in Texas is presented. The paper alsoprovides some speculation on how the windowmarket might be impacted by the adoption ofbuilding energy codes in Texas.
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