The Road to AERC: Why We Are Committing to Energy Certification (And What It Means for You)

You Asked, We Acted.

At LazBlinds, we don’t just sell window coverings; we build relationships with our homeowners. Recently, a customer asked us a tough question in a survey:

“Is there a manufacturer’s certification statement or AERC rating available for LazBlinds products that would officially qualify them for the federal tax credit?”

It was a fair question. And it deserves an honest answer.

While many of our honeycomb and blackout shades are already excellent at insulating your home, we realized we were missing the official “Badge of Honor” that proves it.

So, we are making it official.

We are proud to announce that LazBlinds has established a dedicated Energy Certification Task Force. Our goal? To secure AERC (Attachments Energy Rating Council) ratings for our key product lines.

What is AERC and Why Does It Matter?

If you are looking to save money on your energy bills (or hoping to qualify for the Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit), you need to know about AERC.

The AERC is an independent, non-profit organization that rates the energy performance of window attachments. Think of it like the “Energy Star” label, but specifically for blinds and shades.

• Coolness Factor: How well the shade keeps heat out in summer.
• Warmth Factor: How well the shade keeps heat in during winter.

The Federal Tax Credit: The Gold Standard

Under the strict rules of the Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners can claim a tax credit (up to $1,200 per year) for energy-efficient upgrades. However, for blinds to qualify, they typically need to meet specific, rigorous performance metrics verified by AERC.

It is a high bar. Many brands shy away from it because the testing is strict and expensive.

We are choosing to step up.

Our Commitment to You

We have officially begun the process of testing and verifying our materials.

• The Timeline: Certification is a marathon, not a sprint. It involves third-party lab testing and strict audits. We are working as fast as accuracy allows.
• The Goal: To provide you with products that not only look beautiful and install without a drill but also put money back in your pocket at tax time.

While We Work on Certification… You Can Still Save

You don’t have to wait for a certificate to start lowering your utility bills today. Even without the official label yet, our Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades and 4-Pass Blackout Roller Shades are engineered to trap air and reflect sunlight.

• Winter Tip: Keep your shades down at night to trap heat.
• Summer Tip: Keep your shades down during the day to reflect UV rays.

Thank you to our community for pushing us forward. We are building a more energy-efficient future, one window at a time. Stay tuned for updates on our certification progress!