New Fees for Membership, Participation Make Membership More Accessible, Equitable

Earlier this year, the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Board of Directors made a number of important changes that will impact both members and program participants in 2012. First, they have made the benefits of membership more accessible and equitable to many existing and potential members.

In 2012, all fenestration industry representatives, such as manufacturers, and all affiliated industry organization members, such as trade associations, IA’s, laboratories, and general contractors, will pay a flat fee for membership dues - $2000. In some cases, this will increase membership dues, but in the majority of cases it will reduce annual dues.

In each and every case, however, the change ensures that all members will enjoy the benefits of NFRC membership equally because all organizations, regardless of their size, invest the same amount for their “voices and votes.” It should be noted that dues for general interest members such as government agencies, building officials, design professionals, public interest groups, research/higher education institutions, and Energy Service providers remains the same -- $500.

Additionally, the Product Certification Program (PCP) fees have undergone a significant change. Licensees (fenestration manufacturers) currently pay three different fees – participation fees, product line fees, and label fees. In 2012, licensees will be responsible for a single fee that is based upon their annual sales of fenestration products.

This new fee schedule will make payment easier for NFRC’s licensees. The NFRC office is busy mailing requests for information to all our program participants to determine invoicing for 2012, so please look for that information.

Click here for additional details.

Finally, NFRC realizes this is a considerable change, and we anticipate you will have questions or require clarification about this exciting stage in our progress.

Please contact NFRC's Membership Manager, Anita Marsh, at 240-821-9508 or NFRC's Product Certification Program Associate, Toni Stroud, at 240-821-9511.

Move More Fenestration Products with NFRC's Retailer Program

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is pleased to offer retailers a unique opportunity to educate consumers and sell more products.

NFRC works diligently to create stronger relationships with its many stakeholders. One of its primary initiatives is developing educational and marketing efforts that empower consumers. One such initiative is NFRC’s Retailer Program.

This program provides retailers with free fact sheets that explain how to understand the NFRC label. They are designed to educate consumers at the point-of-purchase, empowering them to make the best purchasing decision for themselves – on the spot.

Today’s consumers are overwhelmed by the vast number of product choices and the bold claims manufacturers make about how their windows perform. They want and need a credible method for accurately comparing the energy performance of different fenestration products and making purchasing decisions. NFRC’s Retailer Program is the solution.

What’s in it for me?

NFRC is seeking assistance from its members in placing these fact sheets in various retail locations. As suppliers, you already have relationships in place and clout with your contacts. Asking them to carry the Retailer Program fact sheets along with your products will help educate consumers, spread the word about the importance of third-party certification, and help you sell more fenestration products. Best of all there is no cost whatsoever to you or the retailer.

Think about your Customers’ Perspective

Your customers are facing the prospect of parting with their hard-earned money and they are asking themselves questions: “How do I know if I’m making the right choice?” “Will these windows really perform as advertised?” “What do the numbers on the NFRC label mean?”

By providing you with the information you need to answer these questions, NFRC’s Retailer Program fact sheets also enable you to build trust, develop rapport, and earn the confidence of your customers.

Get Involved

We already have more than 20 retailers across the country participating in this program and reporting good results. Please contact NFRC’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Tom Herron, at 240-821-9505 to learn more about this unique opportunity and to get involved.

NFRC Exhibiting at ICC Final Action Hearings in Phoenix

Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting at the International Code Council’s Final Action Hearings in Phoenix, October 31 – November 1.

The event will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

According to the show’s Website, the annual conference activities include special guest presenters, award presentations, forums, and valuable networking opportunities. The Conference will also feature informative educational sessions regarding sustainability and green building.
 
Additionally, this year's Annual Conference includes the Final Action Hearings for the one the newest International Codes, the 2012 International Green Construction Code

The hearings will give all attendees the opportunity to voice their opinions about proposed code changes, which will result in the first edition of a full-fledged model code. This code is expected to be published in March 2012.

The exhibit hall will be open on Monday, October 31 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and then again on Tuesday, November 1 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

If you are attending the conference, be sure to visit NFRC at booth #607. We look forward to answering all your questions about how we can be your partner when it comes to building energy code compliance. 

Contact NFRC's Communications and Marketing Manager, Tom Herron, at 240-821-9505 with any questions. 

Greenbuild Toronto Begins Today

The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Greenbuild show begins today at 5:30 p.m. (ET) at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, and representatives from NFRC will be available in booth T-22 to answer your questions about our activities and programs.

Did you realize that every year more energy escapes from the openings in U.S. buildings than the entire country of Egypt uses in total?

Let NFRC's expert booth staff show you how to interpret the NFRC label so you can better understand window energy performance and its vital role in green and sustainable building.

Exhibit Hall Hours (ET):

Tuesday, October 4: 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 5, 9:00 a.m until 5:30 p.m.

More about Greenbuild