AERC Members Crowned Winner, Finalists in 2020 Lighting & Homes for Tomorrow Connected Home Competition

New York (January 7, 2020) — The Consortium for Energy Efficiency’s (CEE) Lighting & Homes for Tomorrow (LHFT) competition launched its 2020 competition with news of expanding the judging categories to include not only lighting, but also other connected home products, including automated window attachments like shades and blinds. With this announcement, the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) both sponsored the LHFT competition and served on its steering committee, in order to contribute to the program’s strategic direction. A number of AERC member companies also sponsored the competition including heroal USA, Hunter Douglas, Phifer Incorporated, Renson Inc., and Somfy Systems Inc. Additionally, Hunter Douglas, Renson, and Somfy all entered projects for judging; Hunter Douglas Duette Architella Calypso Honeycomb Shade was selected as the winner for window attachments, while Renson and Somfy were named finalists.

“From its inception, Hunter Douglas has worked to be an innovator in the window attachment industry,” said Stacy Lambright, Energy Efficiency Product Manager at Hunter Douglas. “We are thrilled to work with organizations like AERC and the Lighting and Home for Tomorrow Competition who recognize the importance of automated window attachments within this space and work to amplify that message to consumers. We are honored to be named on of this year’s LHFT Competition winners.”

Of the 44 products entered, 31 were selected to be evaluated by a panel of expert judges including individuals with proficiency in usability, interoperability, the connected home, IDSM program administration, product installation, specific technology performance, sales, and design.

The 2020 judging panel met in October to participate in a live remote viewing of products installed at the UL facility in Allentown, PA. The judges considered details about product installation and carefully observed the entries’ operation and user interfaces. They were pleased to see a variety of high-quality residential products successfully incorporate connected functionality that enable comfort, convenience, and energy savings for consumers.

Along with Renson and Somfy, the other finalists in the competition that demonstrated promising features and thoughtful connected product design included American Lighting, Cordelia Lighting, and Allied Air Enterprises.

AERC recognized the three member companies at their annual Fall Meeting on November 19 and representatives from the Lighting and Home for Tomorrow Competition note that, “these products will be recognized at [other] relevant industry events including the HARDI Virtual Summit December 7-9 and Lightovation in January 2021.” The award-winning products are also showcased on the Lighting & Homes for Tomorrow website in late December.” To access complete details on the competition, please visit the website at www.lightingfortomorrow.com.

For more information about the AERC Energy Rating Program and to learn how window attachments can improve occupant comfort and energy efficiency, visit AERCEnergyRating.org.

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About the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC): The AERC is an independent, public interest, non-profit organization whose mission is to rate, label and certify the energy performance of window attachments such as blinds, shades, shutters, and storm windows. AERC is made up of a diverse set of stakeholders, which include product and component manufacturers, non-profit organizations, government bodies, testing labs and utility companies. Partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), AERC provides accurate and credible information about the energy performance of window attachments, which helps the public–including homeowners, architects and builders—make informed decisions when it comes to buying window attachment products. To learn more about AERC certification or the AERC Energy Improvement Program, visit www.aercenergyrating.org.