July 2023

Introducing the Residential Technology Campaigns Newsletter

Welcome to the first issue of Residential Technology Campaigns, a newsletter dedicated to sharing news about Department of Energy (DOE) residential building technology campaigns managed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). 

EXPLORE THE CAMPAIGNS BELOW:

STEP     |     SWIP     |   AIRS

STEP Campaign

The STEP Campaign promotes quality HVAC installation by encouraging the use of smart diagnostic tools. These tools help HVAC technicians quickly install and commission new HVAC systems and diagnose and troubleshoot energy-wasting faults in existing systems. Learn more

STEP Campaign News

Learn more about the STEP Campaign in this informative video 

The U.S. Department of Energy is launching a new campaign that promotes the use of smart diagnostic tools that allow HVAC contractors to quickly and easily commission new HVAC systems and identify faults in existing systems. Watch video

Highlighted Resources

STEP Campaign Fact Sheet

Provides an overview of the campaign and the benefits of smart diagnostic tools for HVAC systems. Download

Did you see this case study?

It shares the experiences of three contractors who benefited from integrating smart diagnostic tools into their business. Download

It Takes a Team

The STEP Campaign is led by PNNL with the support of DOE and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), Building Performance Association (BPA), Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), North American Technician Excellence (NATE), and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). Learn more

SWIP Campaign

The SWIP Campaign aims to accelerate adoption of modern, high-performance storm windows and insulating window panels (sometimes called window inserts or secondary glazing), to deliver energy savings and comfort at a fraction of the cost of full window replacements. ​Learn more

SWIP Campaign News

WATCH: SWIP Summit Recording

New Utility Playbook for Storm Windows and Insulating Panels  

The SWIP Campaign team collaborated with the Partnership for Advanced Window Solutions (PAWS) to develop a playbook for utilities interested in implementing residential storm window and insulating window panel programs. View the playbook

New York Times Article Promotes Storm Windows, Features PNNL Building Science Expert

In a recent article published by the New York Times Wirecutter product recommendation service, experts including building science researchers at PNNL lent their voices to a discussion on various home weatherization measures and related topics. Installing external storm windows or solar screens were among the key measures promoted to improve home energy performance and comfort. Read the article

SWIP Campaign Seeking Multifamily Partners

The SWIP Campaign is eager to enhance the support provided to multifamily stakeholders and promote the widespread adoption of window retrofit solutions. If you own, manage, or provide programs for multifamily properties, please contact the SWIP Campaign team. 

Highlighted Resources

Campaign Video

Watch this five-minute video all about storm windows and insulating panels, and the SWIP campaign designed to support their broader awareness, adoption, and implementation.

Meet the SWIP Leadership Committee

 The SWIP Campaign is led by PNNL on behalf of DOE with support from EPA ENERGY STAR, the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC), Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), Efficiency Vermont, the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), and the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).  

Adding Insulation When Residing (AIRS)

The Adding Insulation when Re-Siding (AIRS) field study project aims to encourage homeowners to take advantage of siding replacement projects to also upgrade their home’s insulation with one inch or more of rigid exterior continuous insulation. This type of insulation, taped and detailed to perform as the air and water barrier, in addition to the thermal control layer, greatly improves the home’s energy efficiency and overall comfort.

The project is conducting field demonstrations by recruiting homeowners that are currently replacing their home’s exterior siding (check out the AIRS website if this describes YOU!). Based on the success of the AIRS validation work, a new technology campaign (AIRS Campaign) is under development and will launch soon to bring stakeholders together with resources to encourage the adoption of AIRS throughout the United States. More than 50 million existing homes could benefit from this upgrade, helping DOE to meet challenging energy and carbon climate change targets.

Contact Us

Interested in learning more about these campaigns and how you can support them or participate? Please visit our campaign websites and reach out to us!