Wednesday, March 31, 2010

NFRC to Offer ACE Training Following its Spring Meeting

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will offer a workshop for those seeking certification as an NFRC Approved Calculation Entity (ACE), following its Spring 2010 Membership Meeting. The workshop will be held April 15-16 in New Orleans.

In January, NFRC fully launched its Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Product Certification Program. CMA enables whole-product energy performance ratings for commercial fenestration projects using data from the three primary components of fenestration: frames, spacers, and glazing.
The two-day workshop is designed for those seeking certification to become an NFRC ACE.

At the end of the workshop, a take-home exam will be provided for attendees to complete and submit after the training. A Certificate of Approval will be sent to those who successfully pass the exam.

NFRC ACEs will be certified to configure whole fenestration products and calculate U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, and Visible Transmittance ratings for those products seeking NFRC certification in the CMA Product Certification Program. The workshop will include limited use of the latest version of THERM 6 and use of the Component Modeling Approach Software Tool (CMAST).

The workshop will begin after the conclusion of the Spring 2010 Membership Meeting. Both the workshop and the meeting will take place at the Doubletree Hotel New Orleans.

The registration deadline for the ACE workshop is Friday, April 2.

Details

Friday, March 26, 2010

WESTLab Becomes First Independent ACE

WESTLab, a long-time NFRC-accredited simulation laboratory, has recently fulfilled all of the requirements for becoming an Independent Approved Calculation Entity (ACE) Organization.

WESTLab is now the first independent ACE organization, and it joins EFCO, which has been approved as the first Manufacturer ACE organization.

ACE organizations have been established within NFRC’s new (Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Program as the firms who use the CMA software tool (CMAST) to construct virtual fenestration products and issue label certificates to prove compliance with the building code requirements for fenestration energy-related performance.

For more information regarding the CMA Program and the new ACE Organizations, visit NFRC’s website:
http://www.nfrc.org/CMAprogram.aspx.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Congressman Markey to Speak at NEEP Summit, NFRC Exhibiting

Mass. Congressman, Edward J. Markey, (D-MA), will deliver the closing keynote address at the Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit in Boston on Mach 31.

Co-author of the Waxman-Markey clean energy jobs bill, Markey chairs the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which contributes to national energy policy and plays a central role in drafting energy and climate legislation.

The summit is being held by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) on March 30-31 at the Hyatt Regency in Boston, MA. NEEP is a non-profit organization that facilitates regional partnerships to advance the efficient use of energy in homes, buildings, and industry in the Northeastern U.S.

The summit will feature a full-day conference with speakers and panel presentations. The exhibit area will showcase the latest energy efficiency technologies and solutions.

NFRC will be exhibiting during both days of the summit to call attention to its activities and programs and to answer questions regarding its certification and labeling program.

If you’re in Boston on March 30 or 31, be sure to visit NFRC at booth #1032.

We look forward to seeing you.


Details on Congressman Markey's address

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

NFRC Exhibiting at California Green Summit March 16 and 17

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting at the California Green Summit at the Sacramento Convention Center on Tuesday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 17. NFRC is located in booth #1519.

The summit is being hosted by Green Technology, a non-profit initiative designed to provide information regarding government efforts toward sustainability and to offer a forum for government officials to communicate with those in the private sector who are developing and distributing green technologies.

According to the official Website for the show, California has made an unequalled commitment to a green future, and Green Technology hopes the summit will bring more awareness to that commitment.

If you happen to be in Sacramento, California, please visit NFRC at booth #1519.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

NFRC Meeting Update

NFRC's Spring Membership Meeting -- April 12-15, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana

NFRC's Meeting Hotel Registration Extended

The Doubletree Hotel in New Orleans has extended its deadline for NFRC registrants to get the discounted block rate through Wednesday, March 17, 2010. Please call 1-800-HILTONS or go online to reserve http://tinyurl.com/Spring-10-NFRC.

Other Meeting Notes

Registration is available both online and in an off-line form. The deadline for NFRC Meeting registration is Friday, March 26, 2010. Registration prepayment is required. Please be sure that payments are received prior to the deadline.

Schedule Available. The meeting will begin with task groups on the morning of Monday, April 12, 2010 and will conclude on Thursday, April 15, 2010 with the NFRC Board of Directors' (BOD) meeting. You may access the schedule on the NFRC's upcoming meeting page: http://www.nfrc.org/upcomingmeeting.aspx (detailed agendas available soon).

Spring 2010 Document Ballots 21 Documents for Review

Ballots Available. Please take a moment to review and submit your vote/comments on the (21) documents. All votes/comments (for each committee) are to be collected on one form and then automatically submitted. Votes and comments must be received at the NFRC headquarters by Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Please access these important ballots at http://www.nfrc.org/NFRC_Spring-2010_BallotPage.aspx.

The NFRC deeply values the contribution of its diverse membership. Please take a moment to download, review, and return your vote and/or comments.

ACE Training in New Orleans, April 15-16, 2010

This workshop is primarily for those seeking certification to become an NFRC Approved Calculation Entity (ACE). Space is limited, and the deadline for registering is Friday, April 2, 2010. The registration form is available for download on the NFRC's upcoming meeting page at http://www.nfrc.org/upcomingmeeting.aspx.

Also, be sure to take advantage of discounted rates for members and for those attending NFRC's Spring Membership Meeting.

For further information or questions regarding the ACE program, please contact Jen Padgett, NFRC's CMA Coordinator, at jpadgett@nfrc.org.

Thank you for your continued membership in the NFRC, the nation's resource for fair, accurate, and credible energy ratings for fenestration products.

If NFRC's staff can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us at 301-589-1776.

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans.


Monday, March 8, 2010

Deadline for Federal Remodeling Tax Credit Looms

The tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows and doors was introduced in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It will expire, however, at the end of 2010. Accordingly, this may be a good time for homeowners to replace their windows.

The federal government established fairly stringent guidelines for windows to qualify for the tax credit.

For example, replacement windows must have a U-Factor rating of .30 or lower and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating of .30 or lower.

Details

Thursday, March 4, 2010

NFRC's CEO to Travel to India in Outreach Initiative

The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) CEO, Jim Benney, has planned a trip to India to support his organization's international outreach effort.

NFRC and the Department of Energy (DOE) have supported the formation of the Glazing Society of India (GSI) which will be the administrative body to operate the window rating and labeling program in India.

NFRC and DOE have both provided technical support to build the required infrastructure at India’s Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University so it can provide rating services. Currently, CEPT has a spectrophotometer, hot plate meter, and air leakage chamber.

Furthermore, CEPT has a fully functional simulation laboratory equipped to run OPTICS, THERM, and WINDOW simulation in accordance with the Indian Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC) requirements. The simulation Laboratory at CEPT can also provide simulation service for whole building energy simulation and day-lighting.

The Regional Energy Efficiency Center's grand opening will be held March 13, 2010. Benney will be on hand to help promote the occasion. The gramd opening will include remarks from key Indian government officials. Benney’s presence will help strengthen the relationship between NFRC and these officials.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

NFRC Document Ballots Available

NFRC Committees and Subcommittees have prepared 21 ballots for membership review, vote, and comment (one vote per member company).

Members are encouraged to download voting forms and documents from the NFRC’s website at: http://nfrc.org/NFRC_Spring-2010_BallotPage.aspx. The changes proposed by the working groups are open for vote and commenting through Wednesday, March 24, 2010. The NFRC is a membership organization that values deeply the contribution of its diverse membership.

Thanks in advance for participating in this important process. The NFRC’s Spring Membership Meeting in New Orleans will be held April 12-15, 2010. Online Registration and additional meeting information can be found online at http://www.nfrc.org/upcomingmeeting.aspx. Please be in touch with NFRC’s Meetings Department if we can assist you in any way at 301/589-1776 ext. 201.

Haddon Windows Purchases Intellectual Property Rights from Speyer Door and Window, Inc.

Haddon Windows, LLC, the owner of Accu-Weld Windows & Doors is pleased to announce the purchase of the intellectual property and assets of Speyer Door & Window, Inc. of Boca Raton, Florida. Jordan, Knauff & Company served as exclusive advisor to Speyer in this transaction.

Speyer has developed a comprehensive portfolio of patented and patent pending technologies to lock and seal the full perimeter of entry doors, sliding doors, overhead doors and windows. The Speyer technology enhances the safety, security, and energy efficiency of products on which they are used.

In laboratory tests, Speyer’s products have exhibited superior performance in the areas of air and water infiltration, energy efficiency, impact resistance, and resistance to forced entry. These characteristics make the broad array of products utilizing the Speyer technology, which will be produced and marketed by Accu-Weld, ideal in settings from the wind zone to cold climates and urban centers throughout the country.

John Haddon Jr., president of Accu-Weld, stated “The Speyer technology is unlike anything that we’ve seen announced in the marketplace. We are focused on delivering market leading energy efficiency and security capabilities and are excited about the potential of these technologies in our products. These unique and patented capabilities greatly complement our Secura-Seal line of entry doors. During the next few months we will expand our dealer channel in anticipation of market launch.”

Kip Speyer, the president and co-founder of Speyer, said of the transaction, “We’re delighted to be working closely with the Haddon family. We look forward to the rollout of products utilizing the revolutionary technology that we created over the last four years.”

NFRC to Exhibit at NESEA Conference in Boston

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting at the Building Energy 2010 Conference, which will be held at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA from March 9 – March 11.

The conference is being held by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA).

According to NESEA’s Website, the conference is designed to generate truly new ideas in the world of sustainability. Furthermore, Building Energy 2010 will enable architects, designers, planners, builders, policymakers, manufacturers, and installers to work together to explore new possibilities.

The theme for this year’s conference is Reduce, Retrofit, and Renew. Conference sessions will focus on emerging trends in renewable energy and energy retrofits for commercial and residential buildings.

The Trade Show features 160 exhibitors with the next generation of sustainable technologies and products.

If you happen to be in Boston, please visit NFRC at booth #1050. We look forward to seeing you.