WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $5 million in funding to develop and demonstrate new residential energy efficiency solutions, and to support building energy efficiency research at universities and colleges. DOE will provide $4 million to support the demonstration of high-impact energy efficiency technologies and practices that can produce 50 percent energy savings in new homes by 2025 and 40 percent energy savings in existing homes by 2030. DOE will also award $1 million to American universities to fund student teams that will work in partnership with industry to develop energy efficiency technologies.

The $4 million funding opportunity, provided through DOE’s Building America program, is expected to help U.S. homeowners save as much as $12 billion a year by supporting the development of energy savings measures, HVAC equipment, and insulation and building materials that will significantly reduce a home’s heating and cooling costs. Heating and cooling loads on average account for the largest portion of a home’s energy use at 43 percent, said DOE.

During the next three years, projects will focus on gaining and demonstrating substantial energy savings by improving the energy efficiency of roofs, walls, windows, and HVAC equipment. DOE seeks proposals from individuals, corporations, universities, and nonprofits. To learn more about this funding opportunity, click here.

In addition to the Building America funding opportunity, DOE will make $1 million available through its annual Buildings University Innovators and Leaders Development (BUILD) funding opportunity to support student teams that will, in partnership with industry, develop technologies, software, or manufacturing processes with direct application to residential, multifamily, and commercial buildings in the United States, enabling the universities to develop stronger relationships with industry and businesses and improve manufacturing education.

Awardees will enter into two-year cooperative agreements and must be led by faculty with expertise in energy efficiency technologies, manufacturing, and commercialization. Student teams will consist of a mix of engineering, business, and other majors interested in the development and commercialization of energy efficiency technologies used in buildings. The lead institution must be an institution of higher education, including universities, two-year community colleges, and undergraduate institutions. Lead institutions can choose to team with external partners such as a manufacturer or a government laboratory. To learn more about this funding opportunity, click here.

Publication date: 11/24/2014

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