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NRCan roadmap for high-efficiency windows released

Natural Resources Canada has released its Roadmap outlining its recommendations to push the Canadian fenestration market to deploy more energy-efficient products over the next 20 years. The Roadmap will constitute part of Canada’s strategy to meet its commitments under the Paris Accords to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The document will be presented to the First Ministers meeting planned for this fall. It was developed following two workshops and extensive other consultations with industry and makes recommendations for initiatives to promote and fund research and development, information and awareness, training, incentives and codes and standards development. In short, the Roadmap will be setting the direction for government regulation of windows for the foreseeable future.

The Roadmap recommends 11 broad initiatives for NRCan and stakeholders to undertake:

1. Research low-E coatings, thin triple pane windows, vacuum glazing, multiple coatings and smart glazing.
2. Research improved window designs.
3. Research to lower cost and durability of high efficiency windows.
4. Research to better understand the benefit of high efficiency windows.
5. Develop construction industry market pull for high efficiency windows.
6. Support consistent labeling for high efficiency windows.
7. Conduct education, training and market outreach.
8. Facilitate installer training and certification window programs.
9. Develop and implement incentives and other financial mechanisms.
10. Influence and support development and harmonization of codes and standards for windows.
11. Support the Energy Star specification program for high efficiency windows.

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