The Public Utility Commission of Texas and the State's investor-owned transmission and distribution electric utilities seek to reduce energy use in homes and commercial buildings. As a result, you may qualify for a rebate from your local utility when you install qualifying energy efficient windows.
As a result of legislation enacted in 1999, the State's investor-owned electric utilities offer feature Standard Offer Programs, which provide financial incentives or rebates for various qualifying energy efficiency measures. These programs are designed to advance the State's energy conservation goals. The installation of windows meeting the stringent federal ENERGY STAR® standards may qualify for a financial incentive under these programs. The minimum standards required for participation in the rebate program were updated in 2009.
Windows installed in any of the following electric utility service areas may be eligible for a rebate:
For a window to qualify for these deemed savings, it must meet the ENERGY STAR ® criteria required for the climate zone in which it is located. It must have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of less than 0.40 in the Panhandle, less than 0.30 in Central Texas, and less than 0.27 in South Texas. U-factors must be kept below 0.32 in the Panhandle, 0.35 in Central Texas, and 0.60 in South Texas.
The windows should be installed by a qualified installer and the project managed by the customer or approved Project Sponsor. Contact your local Utility for a list of Project Sponsors in your area. Information about the U-factor and SHGC of the window is required to receive rebate.
The amount of any available rebate is based on the size of the window, multiplied by incentive amounts which will vary by location within Texas and the type of home in which the window is installed. Incentive amounts are listed in the Estimating Your Rebate page, but check with local utilities to verify rebate amounts.
ENERGY STAR® windows savings are per square foot of window, inclusive of frame and sash. Windows must be installed only in homes with electric air conditioning to qualify for these deemed savings values.
The baseline is a double-glazed (i.e., double-pane), clear window with an aluminum frame, with a U-factor of 0.87, a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.66, and air infiltration of 1 cfm/ft2.