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Nationwide, heating and cooling energy attributable to windows account for about ten percent of energy consumption in buildings; when daylighting potential is considered, it can be even more. Efficient windows can lower heating and cooling energy while maintaining daylight and view.

Lower Heating and Cooling Costs

Windows are a major driver of building energy use. As they typically transfer heat much more easily than do insulated walls, window energy performance is of particular concern to heating and cooling energy use. Additional factors like solar heat, daylight and ventilation are important to consider for building energy performance.

Many window technologies can increase the insulating properties of windows. While most people realize that double-pane and triple-pane windows are more efficient than single-pane windows, other components can significantly improve window efficiency as well.

Jeff Harris

Senior Vice President, Programs
Contact Email: 
jharris@ase.org

Senior Vice President for Programs Jeffrey Harris originally joined the staff of the Alliance to Save Energy in September 2006 as Vice President for Programs after more than 25 years as a staff scientist with the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). He brings skills in research and analysis, including analysis of the energy-saving potential of proposed policies, project management, and fundraising. His areas of expertise include U.S.

Jeff Harris
Phone: 
202-530-2243
Address: 
1850 M Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036

State Energy Efficiency Policy Briefs

State Map
May 28, 2010

This series of policy briefs is specifically designed to provide state officials and those who track and analyze state legislation with a concise and focused review of policy options available to state governments in promoting energy efficiency.

This series of policy briefs is specifically designed to provide state officials and those who track and analyze state legislation with a concise and focused review of policy options available to state governments in promoting energy efficiency.

Brief #1: Funding Mechanisms for Energy Efficiency

Brief #2: State Energy Efficiency Loan Programs

Alliance to Save Energy Commends House-Senate Agreement on Energy Efficiency Provisions in Tax Extenders Bill

Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
May 21, 2010

The Alliance to Save Energy today commended the chairs of Congress's tax-writing committees – Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) of the House Ways and Means Committee and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) of the Senate Finance Committee – for including important energy efficiency provisions in their joint legislation announced today.

Washington, D.C., May 20, 2010 – The Alliance to Save Energy today commended the chairs of Congress's tax-writing committees – Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) of the House Ways and Means Committee and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) of the Senate Finance Committee – for including important energy efficiency provisions in their joint legislation announced today.

Why is it so hot when I sit next to the window? (K-5)

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Why is it So Hot When I Sit Next to the Window.pdf
Bank of Windows
May 7, 2010

In this project based lesson plan, developed by a veteran Green Schools teacher, students in grades K-5 learn how glass can transmit energy and how applying different tints to the window can reduce the heat passing through the window.

By Jeff Saks, Bemis Elementary School
Rialto Unified School District, California

Essential Question: What does data tell us about the energy use in our school? What data-based recommendations for saving energy make the most sense and the most impact for our school given what the data shows?

Overview:

Students apply window film to various windows, take temperature measurements, and graph their findings.

Objectives: Students will..

House Passage of 'Home Star' Sets Stage for Creation of More than 168,000 U.S. Construction Jobs, Alliance Says

Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
May 6, 2010

The Alliance to Save Energy today praised the House of Representative's passage of the Home Star Energy Retrofits Act (H.R. 5019), legislation that would provide on-the-spot rebates for homeowners who make energy efficiency home improvements and create as many as 168,000 American construction jobs over the next two years.

Washington, D.C., May 6, 2010 – The Alliance to Save Energy today praised the House of Representative's passage of the Home Star Energy Retrofits Act (H.R. 5019), legislation that would provide on-the-spot rebates for homeowners who make energy efficiency home improvements and create as many as 168,000 American construction jobs over the next two years.

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Home Star Passes U.S. House

Date: May 04, 2010

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the long-awaited Home Star bill (H.R. 5019) on March 6, 2010. The proposal would give direct rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy efficient.

Today, Congress stepped up for millions of unemployed workers and every American paying too much in home energy costs.

By a vote of 246 to 161, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the long-awaited Home Star legislation (H.R. 5019). The proposal, if passed by the Senate and signed into law, will give direct rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy efficient.

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Home Star Inches Closer to Finish Line

Date: Apr 15, 2010

On April 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the HOME STAR Energy Retrofits Act, which would provide rebates to homeowners who retrofit their homes with energy-efficient equipment and materials.

Today, legislation to empower cash-strapped Americans to make their homes more energy-efficient passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Introduced by Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.), the HOME STAR Energy Retrofits Act would provide rebates to homeowners who retrofit their homes with energy-efficient equipment and materials, such as insulation and efficient windows.

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Home Star Bill Introduced in the House

Date: Apr 14, 2010

Today, a bipartisan group of representatives including Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Ed Markey introduced the much-talked-about HOME STAR legislation to the House of Representatives. Given HOME STAR's potential for job creation and energy efficiency gains, the Alliance has worked hard to usher the bill to this next critical phase.

 

After weeks of hearings and debate, the bipartisan HOME STAR legislation was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Alliance Honorary Vice-Chair Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.).

With the construction industry stuck at 25 percent unemployment and many Americans struggling to make ends meet, HOME STAR would empower cash-strapped Americans to make their homes more energy-efficient.

Alliance Advises Celebrating 40th Anniversary of Earth Day with Money-$aving Energy Efficiency Tips at Home, on the Road

Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
April 8, 2010

The 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 is fast approaching, right on the cusp of the summer driving season, notes the Alliance to Save Energy. And though Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer driving season, is still nearly two months away, gasoline prices already jumped almost 10 cents per gallon in March, and the trend is expected to continue throughout the year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Washington, D.C., April 8, 2010 – The 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 is fast approaching, right on the cusp of the summer driving season, notes the Alliance to Save Energy. And though Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer driving season, is still nearly two months away, gasoline prices already jumped almost 10 cents per gallon in March, and the trend is expected to continue throughout the year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Home Star Legislative Summary

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ase_homestar_legislative_summary.pdf
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April 1, 2010

Both House and Senate are considering proposals to provide rebates to homeowners who make their homes more energy efficient. Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) introduced the "Home Star Energy  Retrofit Act of 2010" (H.R. 5019) to the House on April 14, 2010 and the corresponding Senate bill (S. 3434) was introduced on May 27, 2010 by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Bill Information

Full Title: Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (“Home Star”)

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