The Energy Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will fund for 14 projects as part of ARPA-E’s newest program to the tune of $31 million. Such building improvements will involve insulating single-pane windows in offices and homes with new technologies to save money and energy.
“The SHIELD program illustrates ARPA-E’s commitment to supporting transformational technologies,” said ARPA-E Director Dr. Ellen D. Williams. “By creating novel materials to retrofit existing single-pane windows, SHIELD technologies can dramatically improve building efficiency and save energy costs for building owners and occupants.”
According to the release, the so-called SHIELD program will accelerate the development of materials that could cut in half the amount of heat lost through single-pane windows without replacing the full window. Many buildings have single-pane windows that do not insulate a building or its occupants well. However, complete replacement of single-pane windows with efficient, modern windows is not always feasible due to cost, changes in appearance and other concerns. Retrofitting, rather than replacing single-pane windows, can reduce heat loss and save roughly the amount of electricity needed to power 32 million U.S. homes each year.
The window projects will all involve improving thermal insulation and reducing condensation.
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