Overview
The Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC)’s mission is to rate, label and certify the energy performance of window attachments. They provide verified, third-party energy performance ratings which help eliminate consumer confusion about competing claims.
Hunter Douglas is the first manufacturer to earn a national energy performance rating and certification for interior window covering products through the AERC. The AERC anticipates other manufacturers certifying in mid-2020.
Manufacturers are required to have the AERC Certified Product Database (CPD) listing number and website on the product’s permanent label. For Hunter Douglas, it is located on the product’s headrail.
At this time, AERC is available exclusively in the US and is looking to expand to Canada in the future.
How It Works
AERC ratings represent the amount of energy saved that would otherwise be lost through a window without the use of a window attachment. These ratings are based on several factors:
All AERC-certified products have been simulated over a double-pane, clear glass window to generate energy performance values. This window type is the most common in the market. This information is then factored into simulations using software developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL). To find the U-factor and SHGC, visit pages 12-22 of the General Info section in the Reference Guide, or visit hunterdouglas.com/aerc.
Rating Types
There are two types of AERC ratings for each window attachment product category: a cool climate rating and a warm climate rating, each on a scale from 0 to a Max Improvement rating.
Use the map below to locate a climate zone and identify the cool and/or warm climate ratings on the label. The gray areas represent a mixed climate. If air conditioning and heating are regularly used, it is recommended to use both climate ratings.
In a cool climate (or winter), AERC-rated and certified window treatments can:
In a warm climate (or summer), AERC-rated and certified window treatments can:
Certified HD Products
The first products in the AERC-certified product database include the following:
For a full list, click here.
AERC is working on an automation rating, based on an improved schedule to open and close shades for greater energy savings. Hunter Douglas is actively working with AERC to create a standard automation schedule to facilitate greater energy performance, which can allow manufacturers with automated shades to receive higher ratings.
Energy Improvement Label
Custom window covering manufacturers are not required to place the Energy Improvement Rating label on products. PDFs of all Hunter Douglas AERC Energy Improvement labels are on the Hunter Douglas AERC webpage.
Some products provide focused savings for a specific climate, cool or warm. For example, Roller and Solar Screen Shades block solar heat gain in hot, sunny climates but they may not perform as well in a cool climate. If this is the case, a “Not Applicable for Energy Improvement” is listed in the Cool Climate Rating of the label.
The AERC disclaimer is important to point out to consumers and can be found at the bottom of the Energy Improvement Rating label for each certified product. It reads as follows:
The Attachments Energy Rating Council ratings are based on certain assumed criteria including attachment installation over a double-pane, clear glass window. AERC does not represent or guarantee in any respect that the consumer will experience energy savings. See the AERC website for additional rating criteria details.
Additional Resources:
Hunter Douglas Energy Efficiency webpage
AERC section of the Reference Guide