Energy Department Announces $5 Million for Residential Building Energy Efficiency Research and University-Industry Partnerships

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

Provided through the Department’s Building America program, the $4 million in funding will help U.S. homeowners save as much as $12 billion a year by supporting the development of energy savings measures; heating, venting, and air conditioning equipment; and insulation and building materials that will drastically 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%.

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 heating and cooling equipment. The Energy Department seeks proposals from individuals, corporations, universities, and non-profits. Learn more about this funding opportunity or register for the upcoming webinar on Nov. 17.

In addition to the Building America funding opportunity, the Department 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 applications to residential, multi-family, 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 efficient 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 efficient 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.

The Energy Department seeks proposals from institutions of higher education. Learn more about this funding opportunity or register for the upcoming webinar on Nov. 19.

The Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. For more information on building technologies, visit the Building Technologies Office website.