Date: 3 November 2008
To achieve its charter of establishing a level of energy efficiency that will transform the market and address America's increasing need to reduce energy consumption, DOE is raising the performance standards required for windows to qualify for the coveted Energy Star designation. The first phase has been proposed to become effective in late 2009; a second phase with more demanding performance requirements has been proposed to become effective in 2013.
Among Energy Star's objectives is increased market penetration of higher performance technologies, such as Heat Mirror insulating glass, that are configured with multiple air spaces to provide insulating performance beyond what is possible with low-e glass alone.
"As evidenced by Southwall's recently announced joint venture, Southwall Insulating Glass, we are committed to leading the window industry through the transition to more energy-efficient products," said Dennis Capovilla, President and CEO of Southwall. "Window manufacturers are actively seeking solutions that will help them meet the newly proposed Energy Star standards, and Southwall's Heat Mirror insulating glass is a superior, lightweight alternative to triple pane that already meets the proposed 2013 requirements."
The availability and increasing market acceptance of Heat Mirror insulating glass, and other innovative glass technologies, has enabled DOE to move forward with its recent revisions to the window performance standards of its Energy Star program. The proposed higher standards will reduce national energy usage, improve home values, and provide monthly savings to homeowners. Heat Mirror insulating glass is available from over 50 window and insulating glass manufacturers worldwide.
ABOUT HEAT MIRROR
Heat Mirror film, which creates multiple insulating cavities without increasing weight, is a superior technological alternative that extends performance well beyond that of generic low-e insulating glass available today. Heat Mirror insulating glass consists of an advanced low emissivity and solar reflective film mounted inside an insulating glass unit in a variety of configurations (one or more coated films, clear or Low-E glass) providing center-of-glass insulating performance from R5 to R-20.
ABOUT SOUTHWALL TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Southwall Technologies, Inc introduced the world's first low-e coated glass product in 1981, a pioneering technology recognized in 1999 by Popular Science magazine as one of the "Top 100 Inventions of the Millennium." Southwall is recognized worldwide as an innovator in the development and manufacture of high performance, energy-saving films and glass products that dramatically improve the energy efficiency of architectural and automotive glass. Southwall is an ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturer with customers in over 25 countries around the world.
for Southwall Technologies, Inc
John Miller, 408-354-2400
miller@johnmillerpr.com
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