As part of the Department of Energy's Partnership for Advanced Window Solutions (PAWS) collaborative, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Affordable Window Retrofits campaign aims to increase adoption of energy-efficient window attachments, such as storm windows, cellular shades, and solar screens. It builds strategic partnerships with utilities, energy efficiency organizations, weatherization organizations, and housing portfolio managers. 

With a focus on equitable access and affordability, the campaign encourages window retrofit solutions that cost-effectively improve window performance, enhancing comfort while reducing utility bills for homeowners and renters. It also offers targeted resources, provides technical assistance, and recognizes partners for successful implementation of the technology.

How Do Windows Impact Energy Efficiency?

According to the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC), windows make up 30% of a typical home’s heating and cooling energy, and 64% of U.S. homes have inefficient windows. Based on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), over 80 million U.S. homes have low-performance windows (i.e., either single pane or clear glass double-pane) that would benefit from an energy-efficient upgrade.    

More-efficient window options are now available to minimize thermal transfer, but only 2% of homes replace their windows each year. 
 

How Can Window Attachments Help?

Window attachments are products—such as storm windows, insulating panels, cellular shades, solar screens, and roller shades—that can be installed over the interior or exterior of existing windows to help reduce heat transfer. This helps keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which increases a home’s energy efficiency and makes the home more comfortable. Many window attachments also come with the added benefit of outside noise reduction for occupants.

According to the AERC, window attachments can improve the performance of existing windows enough to save up to 13% of a household’s annual energy use, without requiring the homeowner to adjust their daily routine. There are also several window-attachment options to save energy for commercial buildings year-round. If enough homes and buildings improve their window efficiency, they can even help improve grid reliability and further local electrification efforts.