NFRC News Now

NFRC to Exhibit During NASEO Conference Next Week

2012-02-02T13:32:00.003-05:00

Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting during the National Association of State Energy Officials' (NASEO) upcoming Energy Policy and Technology Outlook Conference at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The event will take place Wednesday, February 8 – Friday, February 10.

The theme of this year’s event is “Modernizing U.S. Buildings and Energy Infrastructure: Promoting Economic Development and Technology Innovation.

NASEO chose this theme because it believes the need for a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy system presents a significant opportunity to improve the U.S. economy, job creation, and global competitiveness. There are, however, challenges to overcome, which necessitate a shift in the business as usual model to a more dynamic and robust coordination and investment strategy.

According to the NASEO Website, the organization is the only national non-profit organization whose membership includes the governor-designated energy officials from each state and territory. The organization was created to improve the effectiveness and quality of state energy programs and policies, provide policy input and analysis, share successes among the states, and to be a repository of information on issues of particular concern to the states and their citizens.

Exhibit Hall Hours (Ballroom Foyer)

Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday, February 9, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday, February 10, 7:00 am - 12:00 pm

If you are attending the conference, be sure to visit NFRC’s booth to get answers to all your questions about the integral role window ratings play in creating a greener, more sustainable future.

Contact NFRC's Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing, Tom Herron, at 240-821-9505 for details.

QCT Earns NFRC Accreditation as Test Lab

2012-01-27T21:05:00.000-05:00

Quast Consulting and Testing, Inc (QCT) from Mosinee, Wisconsinwas recently accredited by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) as atesting laboratory.

The company can perform NFRC 102 testing for U-factor validation and NFRC 400for air leakage testing.

According to the QCT Website, thecompanyspecializes in the design and testing of exterior building components. We workwith building owners, architects, contractors and manufacturers to providetimely and accurate solutions to our clients' testing and consulting needs.

NFRC Appearing in Miami Next Week

2012-01-18T13:40:00.000-05:00

Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be on hand during next week's MiaGreen Expo and Conference to educate attendees on the importance that fenestration rating programs play in green and sustainable building.

Billed as the "Green Convention of the Americas," the conference is entering its fourth year

During an educational session slated for Friday, January 27 at 2:00 p.m., NFRC will speak about the window retrofits market, highlighting some of the many business opportunities it provides.

The show will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall B, on January 26 and 27. The exhibit hall is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. both days.

If you are attending the show, be sure to stop by NFRC's booth to learn more about how the organization's ratings programs complement the LEED rating program.

Details

Industry News: Material Offers New Hope for Developing Smart Windows

2011-12-28T18:53:00.001-05:00

According to a new report, Smart Windows are expected to play a big rolein energy-efficient homes.

The idea is that they will allow light in while keeping the heat out. Onematerial being considered for its potential to help create Smart Windows isknown as Vanadium dioxide (VO2). This unique material has the ability totransition from a transparent semi-conductive state at low temperatures,allowing infrared radiation through, to an opaque metallic state at hightemperatures, while still allowing visible light to get through.

The report says that to date, VO₂ hasn't been considered to beparticularly suited for large-scale practical smart-window applications due toits low luminous transmittance and solar modulating ability. Strategies toimprove these properties, for instance through doping or composites, haveresulted in trade-offs between the luminous transmittance and thermo-chromicproperties.

The report goes on to say that researchers in China, however, have nowdeveloped a process that can prepare VO₂ thin-films with acontrollable polymorph and morphology (including grain size and porosity).Their results show that with increased porosity and decreased optical constantsthe performance of the VO₂ films is enhanced, leading to a highertransmittance of visible light and improved solar modulating ability.

It is expected that VO₂ thermo-chromic films will find specialapplications as a new generation of smart glass that can change infraredtransmittance by responding to environmental temperature, while at the sametime maintaining visible transparency.

This could result in a smart window that might be useful for locations with hotsummers and cold winters.

Details

City of Midland to Require Energy Efficient Windows for Renovations

2011-12-20T14:55:00.000-05:00

Starting in January 2012, residents of Midland, Texas will need to adhere to additional requirements when renovating their homes.

The City Council has passed an update to the energy code that requires new home additions or alterations to meet added energy requirements for insulation, windows and exterior doors.

Last year, Texas adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). All new commercial construction had to be in compliance with the code as of April 1. Residential construction will have to be in compliance after Jan. 1, according to the state law.

Currently, residential additions and alterations are exempt from meeting the new energy standards. The changes mean homeowners will be required to use energy-efficient windows, and exterior doors will have to meet energy-efficient standards.

People replacing single windows will not be required to meet the new code.

Details

Industry News: Green Retrofits Surpass New Green Construction

2011-12-10T15:54:00.001-05:00

A report published this week, says the green retrofitting of commercial buildings is outpacing the construction of new green buildings.

According to McGraw Hill Construction’s Green Outlook 2011, this trend could mean that more building owners believe that achieving LEED certification may be cost efficient and environmentally conscious. The trend may have also been prompted by fewer new green building projects being scheduled for construction.

The report also says that by 2015 the green share of the largest commercial retrofit and renovation activity will more than triple, representing a $14 billion to $18 billion opportunity in major construction projects alone.

What might this mean for the fenestration industry?

Details

Changes to Canadian Codes Seek Greener Building

2011-12-06T19:50:00.001-05:00

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Joe Oliver, says he is working with the provinces and territories to support the adoption of the 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings.

The Code recently underwent 245 technical changes in an effort to accommodate new technologies and construction practices that have emerged in Canada over the past 15 years.

One aspect of the Code is its overall performance improvement compared with the 1997 Model National Energy Code for Buildings. The goal was to improve the energy efficiency of the Code’s technical requirements by 25 percent from the previous version published in 1997.

Details

Kumar Leads Traco's Drive Toward Innovation

2011-11-22T23:38:00.001-05:00

Sneh Kumar, R&D Project Manager of Traco Windows, a Division ofKawneer and Board of Directors member for the NationalFenestration Rating Council (NFRC), says his company continues to driveinnovation with the introduction of one of the industry’s “thermally smartest”windows.

As pointed out by Marc LaFrance (U.S.Department of Energy) during NFRC’s recent membership meeting in Atlanta, Traco’slatest innovation was developed in partnership with the DOE and achieves U-Factorin the range of 0.17 to 0.22 (R5) with commonly available glazing.

The productseries called OptiQUltra Thermal Windows also meets or exceeds the minimum requirementsfor AAMA’s Architectural Window (AW) structural rating performance.

This is the first Aluminum window to meet R5-thermal andAW-structural performance. OptiQ™ Ultra Thermal Window reduces energy loss by40% compared to the leading commercially available double-pane low-E windows(U-Value 0.35/R3).

What makes this window smart is its built-in thermalintelligence, which enables it to achieve optimal thermal performance,maintaining continuity, reducing thermal transmission, and retaining interiorheat.

Breakaway view shows product developed through DOE partnership

NFRC does not sell any fenestration products, nor does it endorse any products or companies. The information found on this blog is informational and not promotional. NFRC invites all of its members and participants to submit information for publication on this blog.

Former BOD Member Selkowitz Talks Smart Windows

2011-11-12T23:07:00.001-05:00

An online article dated November 11, 2011 says Lawrence BerkeleyNational Laboratory (LBNL) is conducting research associated with windows that couldbe controlled by a one’s own heating and cooling system -- adjusting them based onthe weather.

Stephen Selkowitz, former member of the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC)Board of Directors and head of building technologies at Berkeley Lab says thisemerging technology, "...can help make buildings more efficient, and that means bigcost savings."

Read the full article here

What impact might this technology have on the way you conduct business?

From Skeptic to Task Group Chair, Best finds Value in NFRC Membership Meeting

2011-11-10T12:09:00.002-05:00

CatherineBest (Benson Industries) was initially skeptical about getting involved withNFRC.

She soon found, however, she could offer the membership valuable insight on theprocess NFRC uses to create testing guidelines for the certification ofcommercial products.

“Atfirst, I wasn’t sure how I could make in impact,” Best said. “But once Istarted coming to the meetings, I found it was much easier than I thoughtbecause the group encouraged me to come forward with my thoughts and ideas.”

Best soon overcame her skepticism, and today she serves as the Chair of the CMATechnical Task Group. Her efforts in this Task Group have resulted in some keyrecommendations for improving CMAST.

Bestsays she’s become a better listener from being involved with NFRC, a newfoundskill she finds useful in many aspects of her career.

“Bylistening to the wide range of views on the issues NFRC deals with, I’velearned to truly understand someone else’s point of view even though I may notnecessarily agree with it,” she said, “In the end, this makes consensus easierto reach, and that creates greater benefit for everyone.”

Based on her positive experience with NFRC, Best hopes to become a memberduring 2012.

“Now I can see the strong impact even one personcan have on the ballots being presented through the committees andsubcommittees,” Best concluded. “I look forward to staying involved.”

Please offer Catherine your well wishes by responding to this posting.

BOD Discussion Concludes Fall Membership Meeting

2011-11-10T11:01:00.000-05:00

NFRC’s Board of Directors heard a number of committee reports and approved 12 motions during this morning’s final day of the fall membership meeting.

Accreditation Policy Committee Report

Chair: John McFee

Motion to approve and to implement upon publication NFRC 701-2011 as revised and approved by APC, regarding NFRC Partner Country language, clarification of sub-contractor services, and responsibilities of non-laboratory certified simulators carried.

Other Reports:

Lab Inspections are up-to-date.

The 2008 and 2009 ILC Thermal Test Laboratory Reports were sent to labs on March 17 and September 19, respectively.

2010 Simulation and Thermal Test ILC to be published by Spring 2012.

2011 Simulation and Testing ILC is currently underway

W6/T6 training for complex glazings to be conducted in January and February for all certified simulators.

Entry door spreadsheet approval process is underway with review of revised NFRC 701 documents by APC, as well as all accredited simulation laboratories. Hope to finalize by Spring of 2012.

Technical Interpretations Policy Committee Report

A motion to approve Technical Interpretation and Revision to NFRC 601: TI-2011-11carried

Certification Policy Committee Report

A motion to approve and to implement upon publication NFRC 702-2012 as revised and approved by CPC, regarding clarification of sub-contractor services and timeframe for online workshop carried.

Other Reports:

Inspections for 2011 will be completed by the end of the year.

Staff provided a status on the NFRC 702 language that was revised during the year.

Staff and the CPC will look at revising the NFRC 702 and IA OPs Manual regarding the fee.

Schedule requirements, workshop, and other outdated issues.

Staff provided an update on the NFRC 706 language revisions implemented recently.

Regulatory Affairs and Marketing Committee Report

Chair: Garrett Stone

The RAM Committee provided an update on international outreach, saying NFRC has made considerable progress in Canada while exploring several viable opportunities in Australia. Stone added that much of funding for this program is provided by the DOE and has been recently reduced. Finally, Stone suggested there may be a need to explore options to maintain the aggressiveness of the international program.

Research and Technology Committee Report

Chair: Dave De Block

Research Subcommittee:

A motion to extend the Window 6-Therm 6 Validation Research Project completion deadline to the Spring 12 Committee Week carried.

A motion to approve now completed CMA CR Research Project for final payment was also approved.

Other Reports:

The Spandrel Validation Research RFP was not approved due to substantive negatives finding spandrels outside NFRC’s scope. The Research and Technology Committee requests guidance on the existence of spandrels in NFRC 100 with limited information on actual simulation instruction.

Work continues on the TDD VT Research (at LBNL), CMA Improved Algorithm Research, and Gas Permeability Research (at IGMA).

Thermophysical Properties of Materials Subcommittee

A motion to approve a WESTLab negative deleting the retesting provision in the NFRC 101 ballot carried.

Other Reports:

The NFRC 101 ballot was returned to task group with substantive negatives providing guidance on continued changes.

One new lab successfully completed the NFRC 101 ILC test and was added to the NFRC accepted testing lab list.

Please offer your thoughts on today's BOD meeting by responding to this posting.

Chair Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Builds Relationships, Creates Synergy

2011-11-10T08:15:00.000-05:00

Last night's Chair Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was more than just a great dining experience for the guests. It was an opportunity for them to get to know each other in a more informal atmosphere and to share ideas.

Skoglund Says First Face-to-Face Meeting Offered Practical Knowledge, Won't Be Her Last

2011-11-09T17:41:00.000-05:00

Stephanie Skoglund (Stork Twin City) is finding value in her first face-to-face NFRC meeting, acquiring unique knowledge and making new contacts.

Skoglund has been a simulator for six years and was motivated to attend the meeting after being encouraged by her colleagues to get more involved with NFRC’s activities and programs.

Driving Skoglund’s motivation is her desire to learn more about the future of third-party certification in the fenestration industry and in green and sustainable building in general.

Aside from listening to the proceedings and discovering more about how NFRC’s consensus-based process works, she has spent considerable time meeting clients she has worked with in the past and networking with peers.

“I am really enjoying my time here because I’m gaining a lot of practical knowledge from industry experts,” Skoglund said. “It will be great to take this back to my office and start putting it to good use right away.”

Skoglund says the most valuable aspect of the meeting has been building stronger relationships with her clients through one-on-one contact in an environment that is conducive to teamwork.

“This may be my first meeting, but it definitely won’t be my last,” Skoglund concluded.

Please take a moment to introduce yourself to Stephanie and welcome her to NFRC by commenting on this posting.

Criteria for Labeling Attachment Products Figures Prominently in Afternoon Discussions

2011-11-09T17:12:00.000-05:00

McFee facilitated discussion on attachments label criteria

NFRC 712, Section Six Ballot

John McFee, Ratings Committee Vice Chair filling in asAttachments Subcommittee Chair, spent most of the afternoon session guiding adiscussion regarding the criteria for labeling attachment products.

The discussion focused primarily on Section 6 of the NFRC 712.

The main issue came about when questions formed on the use of currently defined“non-residential” was challenged. The ballot was sent back from the initial substantivenegative and the TG is asked to develop new language for the definition of non-residentialproperties for the use of an Attachment Label Certificate.

One of the key concerns that emerged was whether language in the section 6.6 shouldgive attachment products the option of putting the temporary label on eitherthe product itself or on the packaging.

Those most concerned asserted that requiring both a temporary label and apermanent label to be placed directly on the product is the best practice.

Contact Sherri Wendt at 240-821-9516 with your questions.

Meeting Participants Relax, Network During Southface Reception, Tour LEED-Platinum Facility

2011-11-09T15:13:00.001-05:00

Meetingparticipants took a break from the serious business of discussing NFRC'sprograms last night and enjoyed a tour of the Southface Energy Institute in downtownAtlanta.

Amid the celebration of Jim Krahn's (Marvin Windows) crowning as NFRC's 2011Member-of-the-Year, the group enjoyed a tour of the LEED Platinum-Certifiedfacility and enjoyed good food and each others' company in an informalatmosphere.

Southface Executive Director, Jim Creech, welcomes NFRC

NFRC CEO, Jim Benney, Kicks off the festivities

Ballot Regarding VT Testing on Translucent Products to Be Revised, Resubmitted in March

2011-11-09T10:03:00.002-05:00

Lisa Winckler presides over today's SHGC discussions

The Solar Heat Gain Subcommittee undertook its work this morning, addressing three ballots with Chair Lisa Winckler (Solution, Inc.) leading the proceedings.

NFRC 202 VT Testing Ballot

This ballot is aimed at making modifications to the NFRC 200 that allows VT testing on translucent panels per the proposed 202 procedure being balloted concurrently as, “NFRC 202 VT Testing Ballot.”

The primary issue involved is for NFRC to accept the ASTM E1084 and E972 combined procedures for rating products and to provide additional details on the method of product translation between repeated measurements to obtain a properly area-weighted average of the VT over the area of the product being tested. This topic arose out of one assertion that NFRC currently publishes incomplete data for translucent products.

Following considerable discussion, the ballot will be revised and resubmitted during NFRC’s spring membership meeting.

NFRC 200 Caming-Divider Ballot

The purpose of this ballot is to revise existing language, removing redundancies regarding caming and dividers. Further revisions would be made to the Frame Group Leaders decisions for determining the frame and divider representative for the SHGC/VT 0&1 Center-of-Glazing value.

One negative asserting that Section 5.2 does not clearly state that the caming needs to be accounted for in the SHGC and VT calculations was found non-persuasive. Another negative asked that the ballot not be approved unless there is no impact on door SHGC caming when compared to clear glass was withdrawn.

A motion to move this ballot forward to the Technical Committee for approval and implementation upon publication passed in a close vote, 13-11.

NFRC 200 CMA Reporting Ballot

This ballot calls for removing the reporting language for CMA SHGC results because all reporting requirements are to be documented in NFRC’s series of 701 publications.
In particular, the NFRC 701.03-2011, Section 1.1.2, outlines the reporting requirements for NFRC 100 and NFRC 200 simulations per the CMA program.

One member commented on the ballots, saying that while he agreed with removing the reporting requirements from the NFRC 200, the verbiage helps describe what is being done. He further suggested removing the table while retaining all the language except for anything that pertains to the table.

The ballot was approved with editorial changes and will move forward to the Technical Committee.

Feel free to offer your thoughts by responding to this posting.

Jim Krahn Named NFRC's Member-of-the-Year for 2011, Dedication, Commitment Recognized During Reception

2011-11-09T08:47:00.003-05:00

Krahn accepts member-of-the-year award

Jim Krahn (Marvin Windows) was taken aback when Jeff Baker announced him as NFRC’s 2011 Member-of-the-Year during last night’s reception at the Southface Energy Institute in downtown Atlanta.

The evening began with NFRC’s CEO, Jim Benney, welcoming the membership to the LEED Platinum-Certified facility and quickly turned to Jeff Baker making the announcement.

“I honestly had no idea this was coming,” a clearly-surprised Krahn told the crowd over their rousing applause.

Krahn added that he’s seen many positive changes over the years and has found his involvement with NFRC both personally and professionally rewarding.”

The prestigious NFRC Member-of-the-Year Award recognizes the talents, achievements, and notable contributions that an individual makes to the fenestration industry in support of NFRC’s mission.

Feel free to offer your thoughts on Jim receiving the NFRC Member-of-the-Year award by responding to this posting.

Former NFRC Member-of-the-Year Recipients Help Celebrate Krahn's Award

2010 recipient, Bipin Shah, and 2009 recipient, Jeff Baker, join in the celebration last night as Krahn accepts NFRC's 2011 Member-of-the-Year award.

Please take a moment to congratulate Jim by responding to this posting.

U-factor Subcommittee Addresses Four Ballots, Creates New Task Group to Study Gap Widths

2011-11-08T17:03:00.000-05:00

Thoman leads U-factor Subcommittee Discussions

U-factor Subcommittee Chair, Mike Thoman, addressed four ballots during this afternoon’s meeting.

NFRC 100 Commercial Skylights Ballot

This ballot concerned adding language to the NFRC 100 to accommodate the rating of large, commercial skylights. A motion to approve the ballot, noting that the relevant TI would be rescinded, and forward it Technical was approved by unanimous voice vote.

NFRC 100 Skylight Appendix 3 Ballot

The new Appendix A 3 addresses an emerging need by specifiers for project-specific skylight U-factor ratings similar to those available for non-standard window sizes as described in A.2.

The fundamental issue here is that as building codes continue to reduce the maximum allowed U-factors for all fenestration products, it is important to all for non-certified ratings to be made available for skylights at actual installed slopes.

One concern was that a statement in the document regarding certification should not be included in a technical document because NFRC does not allow for the certification of non-standard conditions.

After striking the word “certified” from the language and confirming that standard skylight sizes are simulated, a motion to move the ballot forward passed by unanimous voice vote.

NFRC 100 Sash Kit Ballot

During the Summer 2010 Virtual Committee Meeting, a ballot to revise the language in the NFRC 100, Section 5.1.2 Variations from Standard Product Lines regarding sash kits of any operator type.

While this ballot failed, a task group was assigned to revisit the issue. After creating some modified language, the group decided it would be more applicable to all products by moving it to the NFRC 100, Section 4.2.7 General Rating Rule, thereby removing Section 5.1.2. This change will cover operator types such as window sash kits, sliding door panels, and side hinged door slabs.

One negative was that sash kits, sliding door panels, and side hinged door slabs that are identical in material and design as a manufacturer’s rated product line may use the same ratings. A motion to move this ballot forward to Technical was passed by unanimous voice vote.

NFRC 102 Glazing Deflection Ballot

This ballot seeks to add language to the NFRC 102 test procedure regarding the measurement of glazing deflection.

In the course of discussing how various gap widths would apply to various IG units, one member expressed concern that the numbers were arbitrary rather than founded in science. This resulted in a move to table the ballot until further studies can be conducted on the gap width. Chair Mike Thoman created a task group to take on this work.

R&T Passes Three Motions During Afternoon Session

2011-11-08T15:09:00.002-05:00

Strawn and DeBlock Engage in Discussion following R&T Meeting

Dave DeBlock led the Research and Technology Committee proceedings in passing three motions as the fall membership meeting continued its work toward refining NFRC's programs.

Following a report on the W6/T6 research project, a motion to extend the completion date to the spring 2012 conference was approved, 44-2.

A motion to deem the CMA CR research complete and make the final payment passed by unanimous voice vote. The next step is to send the data to the CMA Technical Committee to determine how it will be incorporated into CMA. This action will dissolve the project management task group.

A motion put forth during the Thermophysical Properties Subcommittee discussion that requires written reaffirmation for materials rather than retesting passed, 25-4.

This motion passed following some debate on whether retesting every eight years should be required. One concern was that such testing would not add anything valuable to the procedure and would be too long. The issue will be returned to the Task Group to remove the language and to instead have manufacturers reaffirm that the materials they are using have not changed.

Simonton's Jenkins Dedicated to Expediting Improvements to NFRC Programs

2011-11-08T10:37:00.000-05:00

Tina Jenkins says sharing knowledge creates succsss

Tina Jenkins, a fenestration industry veteran who hasspent 21 years with Simonton Windows, attended her first NFRC meeting 10 yearsago, and she has been involved with the organization ever since.

Starting out as an attendee interested inlearning more about NFRC’s activities and programs, she now serves as the Vice Chair of theTechnical Committee, Vice Chair for the 700 CertificationSubcommittee, and Task Group Chair for the 700.

Jenkins was motivated to get involved with NFRC when her colleague, Chuck Anderson, recognizedher talents and enthusiasm and felt she could serve as his replacement during membership meetings while he pursued other initiatives.

She has been a dedicated member over the years, working tirelessly to expedite revisions and improvements in NFRC's programs. She believes IGUcertification is one example where members collaborated especially effectivelyto get things done quickly.

Jenkins adds that in addition to cooperation and teamwork among the members, contributions from the EPA and the DOE have also helped expeditethe refinement of NFRC’s programs. For example, Jenkins points out that following additional input andinsight from these organizations, NFRC was able to implement a plan forincluding the full CPD number on the temporary label.

“We have many talented and knowledgeable members with plenty of expertise toshare,” Jenkins concluded. “Bringing them all together to improveunderstanding, comprehension, and awareness is what these meetings are allabout. The more effectively we can accomplish this, the faster we can getthings done.”

Keynote Speaker White Praises CMA, NFRC's Educational Outreach to ICC

2011-11-07T17:57:00.003-05:00

Don White, Plans Examiner for the City of Las Vegas and Secretary/Treasurerof the International Code Council’s (ICC) Southern Nevada Chapter delivered thekeynote address during today’s opening session.

White explained that NFRC has “greatly contributed to improving awareness of the importance of commercial window certification” throughits CMA program.

White commented that during the Las Vegas “Boom Period” of commercial building the citywas using “tons” of glass but not getting compliance. “We were putting up many officeparks, mega resorts, casinos, and high-rise condos, but none of the glass wascertified,” White said.

White pointed out that one key problem facing thedevelopment of commercial building energy codes for site built projects was thelack of viable information.

He described how searching for answers resulted in the discovery of misinformationrather than the “real deal.” The ICC began to experience frustration withcertifying site built projects and began to feel there was no one available toprovide the expertise they needed to resolve this challenge.

Shortly afterwards, NFRC’s outreach to the building energy codes community brought White, the SouthernNevada Chapter of the ICC, and NFRC together. White says it was NFRC that finally provided theexpertise he sought by providing the ICC's Southern Nevada chapter with an educational presentation on CMAST.

“NFRC understands the day in and day out problems of buildingenergy code officials,” White said. “I’d like to see the organization continue expandingits educational outreach because there is a strong need for it – not just inSouthern Nevada but all over the country.”

Following White’s presentation one member asked how NFRCcould help CMAST grow. White responded by advising NFRC to continue supportingevents like EduCode and to stay involved in the code development process.

White also suggested that NFRC reach out to the state energy offices, informingthem about its educational programs for the officials or to support consultantswho can do this on NFRC's behalf.

White believes this is critical because all the pressureto certify windows on site built projects will come from state energyoffices.

“NFRCis making the world sustainable,” White said during his closing remarks. “Pleasekeep that up.”

CEO Benney Announces BOD Election Results

2011-11-07T13:21:00.001-05:00

The National Fenestration RatingCouncil's (NFRC) CEO, Jim Benney, announced the results of the Board of Directions election for the 2012 term during this afternoon's opening session.

Each of the following members has been elected toa three-year term:

Steve Strawn, JELD-WEN. FenestrationIndustry Category (Specified). This seat is specifically for a manufacturer whosells the majority of its fenestration products or systems for use inresidential construction.

Jim Larsen, Cardinal GlassIndustries. Fenestration Industry Category (Unspecified).

Neal Humphrey. Alliance to SaveEnergy (ASE). General Interest Category (Specified). This seat is specificallyfor a not-for-profit institution of research or higher education.

Nelson Pena. California EnergyCommission (CEC). General Interest Category (Specified). This seat isspecifically for a representative of a state or local government energy orbuilding code office.

Tony Rygg. William Rygg Consultant.General Interest Category (Unspecified)

“I have every confidence theseDirectors will bring the kind of innovation and creativity NFRC needs toimprove its existing programs, making them even more accessible to a widervariety of stakeholders,” said NFRC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), JimBenney. “We all stand to benefit from their dedication and expertise.”

Fall Membership Meeting Underway in Atlanta

2011-11-07T09:43:00.002-05:00

The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) fall membership meeting is underway at the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta.

The proceedings began with the Challenge Procedure Work Group, the NFRC 712 Labeling Task Group, and the NFRC 712 PCP Task Group discussing a number of pending issues.

Be sure to check back for details throughout the day, and feel free to offer you comments on the postings. Those who are not able to attend but follow what's happening on the blog can benefit from your insight.

Fall Membership Meeting Set to Kick Off

2011-11-06T19:26:00.000-05:00

Check back starting at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow, Monday, November 7.

We'll be bringing you live coverage of the proceedings and thoughts and insight from fenestration experts.

SBIC's Beyond Green Awards Offer Recognition for Sustainable Projects

2011-11-04T12:44:00.000-04:00

As one of the sponsors of the Sustainable Buildings IndustryCouncil (SBIC) the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is proud to inform you about SBIC’s 2011 Beyond Green™ High-PerformanceBuilding Awards. This unique program recognizes buildings, initiatives andproducts that shape, inform, and catalyze the high-performance building market.

The winners of the BeyondGreen™ High-Performance Building Awards will be invited to present theirprojects on Capitol Hill as part of an educational briefing for lawmakers andthe public. This presentation and poster session gives winners an opportunityto discuss the challenges and opportunities for delivering better buildingswith policymakers.

The 2011 Award programwill also feature an afternoon session held Catholic University's School ofArchitecture and Planning. Area students and local building practitioners willhave the opportunity to understand winning projects in greater detail, and askquestions.

Winning projects will alsobe published on the Whole Building Design Guide Web site (www.wbdg.org). Additional recognition willinclude an announcement in SBIC's newsletter, a handsome plaque, posting on theCouncil's Web site and inclusion in SBIC technical guidelines and publications.

To learn more about the2011 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards, please download theCall for Entries and click on the links to the left. Visit the SBIC Website frequently for program updates, including the jury announcement anddetails about the Capitol Hill briefing. This year's deadline for entriesis November 15, 2011.

Ifyou have any questions about the program, please contact Kimberly Lowry byphone at (202) 628-7400, extension 200 or by email at: sbic@sbicouncil.org.

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

2011-10-21T10:56:00.003-04:00

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

2011-10-20T08:49:00.003-04:00

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

2011-10-11T15:49:00.002-04:00

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

2011-10-04T13:02:00.000-04:00

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

NFRC to Exhibit at Greenbuild in Toronto

2011-09-23T11:12:00.002-04:00

Representatives from NFRC willbe exhibiting at the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Greenbuild show,October 4-7 at the MetroToronto Convention Center.

Carrying the theme, "What's NEXT for Green Building," this is thefirst time the USGBC is hosting Greenbuild outside the United States.

If you are attending the show, be sure to stop by NFRC's booth, T-22 in thesouth building so we can answer your questions about our activities andprograms.

More information aboutGreenbuild is available here.

"Blind" Verification Program Becomes "Independent" Verification Program

2011-09-16T11:00:00.002-04:00

The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Blind Verification Program (BVP) has been renamed, and will now be known as the Independent Verification Program (IVP).

In April of this year, NFRC announced that as an approved Certification Body for the ENERGY STAR ® Windows program, it was required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to introduce a Blind Verification Program (BVP) to the NFRC Product Certification Program (PCP).

As you may recall, the BVP required NFRC staff to act as consumers, “blindly” purchasing its participants’ fenestration products without their knowledge.

Since its inception, however, NFRC and EPA have refined the program and determined that the IVP designation describes its purpose more accurately.

One reason for the change from BVP to IVP is that the process NFRC will use to procure fenestration products from manufacturers will no longer be “blind.” Staff and the NFRC Board of Directors have instead created a new process, whereby NFRC will make purchases more directly, negating the “blind” aspect of the process.

A second reason for the elimination of the term “blind” is that the term may be misunderstood by fenestration industry, the fenestration attachment industry, or the public. We wish to avoid any potential communication issues.

NFRC realizes you may have more detailed questions regarding this change. Please contact Stacy Germann at 240-821-9504 or Scott Hanlon at 240-821-9519.

NFRC to Exhibit at NASEO September 12-14

2011-09-04T16:35:00.000-04:00

Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting during the National Association of State Energy Officials’ (NASEO) annual meeting, September 12-14.

The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

The exhibits will be held in the Texas Ballroom Foyer, second floor. The show hours are
Monday, September 12 from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 13 from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 a.m., and Wednesday, September 14 from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

According to its Website, NASEO is the only national non-profit organization whose membership includes the governor-designated energy officials from each state and territory.

NASEO was formed in 1986 to improve the effectiveness and quality of state energy programs and policies, provide policy input and analysis, share successes among the states, and to be a repository of information on issues of particular concern to the states and their citizens.

NASEO’s members work on a wide range of energy programs and policies, including residential, commercial, and institutional building energy codes.

As your partner in building energy code compliance, NFRC’s representatives will be on hand to answer all your questions about our activities and programs.

Be sure to stop by our booth. We look forward to seeing you.

More Stringent Fenestration Requirements Expected to Show Results in 2013

2011-08-26T20:11:00.004-04:00

Over the next few years, facilities managers across the U.S. are expected to notice improved energy efficiency resulting from more stringent energy standards recently adopted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

More stringent fenestration requirements are expected to contribute significantly to this improvement.

The DOE has adopted ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 as the new federal energy standard, following the determination that it would save more energy than the 2004 version.

By July 20, 2013, states are required to certify that they have reviewed and updated the provisions of their commercial building energy codes, including demonstrating the provisions meet or exceed 90.1-2007.

Additionally, the DOE has issued a ruling requiring federal buildings that begin construction on or before October 11, 2012 meet 90.1-2007.

NFRC's Program Fees, Membership Dues Overhauled

2011-08-19T12:12:00.006-04:00

After careful review and consideration, the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Board of Directors recently approved a major change in its program fees and membership dues schedule.

The new schedule uses a flat dues structure for membership and a sliding scale for program participation fees.

The decision to change membership dues was prompted by NFRC’s desire to ensure that all industry members pay the same amount for their “voices and votes,” regardless of their size.

The new PCP fee schedule also more equitably assigns costs and benefits for participating manufacturers. Whether members or non-members, they will pay a fairer share for the programs and benefits that NFRC provides.

NFRC also expects the lower membership dues will encourage non-member participants to join NFRC and add their voices to the development of technical and certification procedures.

Under the new fee schedule:

Beginning in 2012, all industry members will pay an annual membership fee of $2,000. Members in the General Interest categories will continue to pay $500 per year.

Label fees and product line fees are eliminated, saving administrative time.

Program participation fees will be based upon annual sales of fenestration products (see the attached chart).

Non-members will continue to pay slightly higher additional program participation fees.

While it is anticipated that some industry members and non-members will pay more and some will pay less than they have in the past, it is expected that the new schedule will save everyone time and money on internal accounting, billing, and management activities.

In addition to creating a more fair and equitable system, the decision to adopt a new revenue model was driven in part by a need to pay for the Blind Verification Program (BVP) that NFRC has agreed to implement.

The BVP will improve the quality of the Product Certification Program and ensures that NFRC Ratings are recognized by the EPA/DOE Energy Star Program. It is anticipated that the BVP will decrease costs for program participants by reducing recertification expenses.

If you have any questions, please contact either NFRC's Membership Manager, Anita Marsh, 240-821-9508 or NFRC's Product Certification Program Associate, Toni Stroud, 240-821-9511.

Please visit NFRC's Website for details.

J.D. Power Reports Growing Desire for Energy Efficient Windows

2011-08-12T11:30:00.001-04:00

A recent study by J.D. Power and Associates reports consumer desire for energy-efficient windows and doors has increased over previous years.

The study says the proportion of consumers who purchased ENERGY STAR-qualified windows averaged 95 percent in the most recent study, demonstrating a growing level awareness of and desire for energy-efficient window features and technologies.

Full Article

NASEO Acknowledges CMA as "Powerful" Tool for Calculating Energy Peformance Ratings

2011-08-10T17:47:00.005-04:00

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) recently published an article in its newsletter highlighting the National Fenestration Rating Councils’ (NFRC) Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program.

The article, written in a collaborative initiative by NFRC’s CEO, Jim Benney, and Nils Petermann from the Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC), calls CMA “a powerful rating and certification program.”

Read Full Article Here

Are Your Customers Up to Date on Tax Incentives?

2011-08-07T20:13:00.002-04:00

A recent article published in Door and Window Manufacturer notes that many manufacturers may be under the impression that the $1500, 30/30 tax incentive is still active although it actually expired on January 1, 2011.

Full Article

Choosing the Right Window for You

2011-08-05T18:51:00.003-04:00

An online article posted by Green Architect says one of the first things people do when renovating their homes is start shopping for energy efficient windows.

Keeping up with the ever-changing window technology and tax incentives, however, can be confusing for consumers.

Providing clarification, Green Architect points out that in order to earn the ENERGY STAR label and to qualify for various tax incentives, windows must meet certain U-Factor and SHGC requirements.

It also explains the importance of looking to the NFRC label to determine these values and further recommends using the label to make the best purchasing decisions.

Read full article here

NFRC Chair Reflects on Virtual Meeting

2011-07-26T11:07:00.006-04:00

By NFRC Chairman, Steve Strawn

Throughout the July virtual meeting, I observed the number of people voting and soon realized I was witnessing an attentive and highly engaged audience in action.

This level of engagement reminded me just how progressive NFRC really is as an organization.

On completing our second virtual meeting, it appears that we have fully embraced the technology that enables us to communicate across time zones and geographic borders. Furthermore, we’ve shown we can achieve an effective level of synergy in a virtual environment.

Both of these remarkable accomplishments help us advance our mission, articulate our vision, and garner even broader support for our initiatives as we work together to develop new rating programs and maintain our existing documents, making them more meaningful for the public.

One of the key challenges NFRC continues to face is communicating its concerns clearly so others can relate to our position, connect to our underlying values, and commit to supporting our initiatives.

This meeting convinced me we understand our strategic objectives and appreciate the members’ needs to the point where we can make strides toward our goals whether we are gathered together in the same room or spread across the globe.

Given the resounding success of our second virtual meeting and the overwhelming support it has received, I envision NFRC carrying this format into 2012 and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and I look forward to seeing all of you in Atlanta for the Fall 2011 meeting (in person!)

BOD Approves Ten Action Items as Virtual Meeting Closes

2011-07-20T12:04:00.005-04:00

The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Virtual Committee Week Meeting drew to a close this morning with the BOD approving 10 action items.

Research and Technology Committee

During the Research and Technology Committee’s report to the BOD, the Research Subcommittee presented four action items, and all of them were approved.

A motion to extend the Window 6-Therm 6 Validation Research Project completion deadline until the fall 2011 membership meeting was approved 12-0-0.

A motion to extend the CMA CR Research Project completion deadline until the fall 2011 membership meeting was also approved 12-0-0.

Additionally, a motion to approve the Carli bid on the CMA Improved Algorithm Research Project was approved 12-0-0.

Finally, a motion to approve the Complex Fenestration VT Rating Research RFP was approved 12-0-0.

Technical Committee

The Technical Committee also presented four action items to the BOD, with all of them being approved. Two came from the U-factor Subcommittee, and two came from the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) Subcommittee.

U-Factor Subcommittee

A motion to approve the NFRC 100 Dynamic Glazing Ballot with implementation upon publication was approved 12-0-0.

A motion to approve the NFRC 100 Product Grouping Ballot and NFRC 100 Sightline Ballot along with suggested editorial edits and alignment between the ballots with implementation upon publication was approved 12-0-0.

Solar Heat Gain Subcommittee

A motion to approve the NFRC 200 Section 4.5 and 4.7 Ballot with implementation upon publication was approved 12-0-0.

A motion to approve the NFRC 200 Sightline Ballot with implementation upon publication was approved 11-0-0.

Ratings Committee

During the Ratings Committee report to the BOD, two action items were approved.

NFRC 700 Certification Subcommittee

A motion approve the NFRC 700 Full CPD Number Ballot for approval with editorial changes included with implementation upon publication was approved 12-0-0.

NFRC 705 Certification Subcommittee

A motion to approve the NFRC 705 CMA Label Certificate for approval with editorial changes with implementation upon publication was approved 12-0-0.

Please fee free to provide your comments.

Ratings Committee Closes Second Day of NFRC's Virtual Meeting

2011-07-19T19:10:00.003-04:00

Chair Steve Johnson guided the proceedings during the Ratings Committee block late this afternoon as various subcommittees moved several ballots forward.

NFRC 700 Subcommittee (PCP)

This Subcommittee moved to approve the NFRC 700 full CPD Number Ballot to the Board with editorial changes and implementation upon publication, mandatory July 1, 2012.

One of the key aspects of this ballot involves proposed modifications to Appendix A and its labels is to include the Full CPD Number on temporary labels, providing traceability.

The motion passed 38-1.

You can read the full ballot and comments here.

NFRC 705 Subcommittee (CMA)

This Subcommittee moved to approve the Label Certificate Ballot with editorial changes forward to the Board with implementation upon publication.

This ballot addresses various requests to make the Label Certificate more useful and easier to read. The CMA Labeling TG has developed a new version of the label certificate.

You can read the full ballot and comments here.

The motion passed, 33-1.

NFRC 712 Subcommittee (Attachments)

A move to approve NFRC 712 Section 1 and 2 and Section 7 Ballots with editorial changes and to remain at the committee level for full document development passed, 35-0

This ballot concerns the how the use of specific language within the documents impacts the overall meaning of the documents.

You can read the full ballot and comments here.

Straw Poll Reveals Industry Preferences for Attachments Label

2011-07-19T14:55:00.004-04:00

As the Attachments Certification Subcommittee began its discussions this afternoon, Chuck Anderson presented the results of a Straw Poll that indicated industry preferences regarding the attachments label.

One of the questions asked in the Straw Poll asked which kind of label the industry prefers. 78.6 percent said they want to see the actual values while about 50 percent said they are looking for the maximum amount of information. Only 21.4 percent said they would prefer the use of an iconic label.

A second question asked what information should be provided on the attachments label. More than 90 percent said Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, 85% said Visible Transmittance, and 78 percent said they wanted to see a Website link. 71 percent said they wanted to see the U-factor while only about 20 percent wanted to see the R-value.

Finally, the Straw Poll asked how important it is for the label to communicate code compliance. About 25 percent rated this "very important", and 35 percent rated it as "pretty important."

The discussion regarding the development of an attachments label will continue throughout the afternoon.

Please feel free to provide your comments.

Daylighting Subcommittee Creates Scope Statement, U-factor, SHGC Subcommittees Move Ballots Forward

2011-07-19T11:59:00.004-04:00

Jeff Baker just led the full Technical Committee meeting as the Daylighting Subcommittee created its initial scope statement, and the U-factor and SHGC Subcommittees moved ballots forward.

Daylighting Subcommittee

The Daylighting Subcommittee created its initial scope statement during this morning’s proceedings.

The statement reads as follows, “To create a rating system for daylighting potential utilizing the existing NFRC VT rating combined with known, bright day incident illuminance values.”

While some members expressed concern over the precise wording of the statement, they ultimately agreed that the language would suffice for the time being and could be revised during the fall 2011 meeting if needed.

A motion to approve the scope statement passed, 40-2

U-factor Subcommittee

This subcommittee moved two ballots forward.

First, a motion to approve the NFRC 100 Dynamic Glazing Ballot and forward it to the Board for approval and implementation upon publication passed, 43-0.

Second, the Technical Committee addressed a motion to approve the NFRC 100 Product Grouping Ballot and the NFRC 100 Sightline Ballot along with the suggested editorial changes and alignment between the ballots.

The motion to forward the ballot to the Board for approval and implementation upon publication passed, 43-0.

Solar Heat Gain Subcommittee

The SHGC Subcommittee also moved two ballots forward.

A motion to forward the NFRC 200 Section 4.5 and 4.7 ballots to the Board for approval and implementation upon publication passed, 43-0.

Additionally, a motion to forward the NFRC 200 Sightline Ballot to the Board for approval and implementation upon publication passed, 45-0.

U-Factor Subcommittee Closes First Day of NFRC's Virtual Meeting by Tackling Five Ballots

2011-07-18T17:54:00.006-04:00

Led by Mike Thoman, the U-factor Subcommittee took action on five ballots late this afternoon.

NFRC 100 Product Grouping Ballot

This ballot is a revision to the NFRC 100, Section 4.2.4 and 4.2.4.1.

Section 4.2.4 identifies the possible product groupings and determination of the Group Leaders via a hierarchy. Section 4.2.4.1 is currently the grouping determination for Center-of-Glass (COG). This ballot proposes a change to the hierarchy that determines the grouping.

Currently frame groupings are done after all other groupings, which may result in simulating total products for multiple frame options when grouping spacer systems. The results of these different simulations will be different but the relationship between spacer systems will not change.

To simplify this process, the ballot changes the hierarchy so frame grouping takes place before spacer system grouping.

The ballot sets forth language to establish a hierarchy of spacer options to use when conducting the frame grouping process. The intent is to reduce the number of simulations required to establish the relationship of multiple frame options.

A motion to accept the ballot with editorial changes and implement it upon publication was approved, 33-0.

NFRC 100 Sightline Ballot

In this ballot, the Sightline Tolerance TG seeks to simplify a procedure for rating products with multiple sightline dimension options within a product line.

In part, this ballot will add a new section that allows manufacturers to establish sightline U-factor groups for products with sightline differences due to frame/sash base profile variations.The group leader is the individual product in the group with the highest total product U-factor.

Following a motion to implement an editorial change, the motion passed 33-0.

NFRC 100 Dynamic Glazings Ballot

This ballot concerned the definition of the term “Dynamic Glazing Product.”

As it is currently written, term is defined as follows:

“Any fenestration product that has the fully reversible ability to change its performance properties, including U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), or visible transmittance (VT). This includes (but is not limited to) shading systems between the glazing layers and electronic or electrochemical switchable glass coatings or construction.”

One of the group’s concerns is that it is not clear what the result would be if test reports and ratings were submitted for certification for any dynamic glazing product that does not exactly fit the explicitly included types in the definition.

This ballot was developed to clarify what features define certifiable dynamic glazing products, to give guidance to laboratories and IA’s when presented with other types.

One comment regarding this ballot is that some of the language may need to be revised once Window 6 – Therm 6 is approved.

A motion to move the ballot forward to Technical to be implemented upon publication was approved, 29-1.

NFRC 100 Entrance Door Ballot

Multiple Technical Interpretation Requests (TIRs) gave rise to this ballot, which concerns the handling of default frames and sills for steel and aluminum doors, typically not installed in residential homes.

Upon review of the TIRs on TIPC determined that TI Requests 2011-10 "Steel Swinging Door Slab" and 2011-11 "Aluminum Swinging Door Slab" were introducing new language and would need to be incorporated into the NFRC 100 and balloted for membership approval.

One concern was to remove the steel door maximum skin thickness (< 0.8mm) requirement. The reasoning here is that there are steel doors with skin thickness greater 0.8 mm used in residential applications.

Accordingly, the concern is that NFRC 100 must not prevent steel doors with skin thickness greater than 0.8 mm from being modeled with the default wood frame and wood/aluminum sill.

A motion to return the ballot to task group for further work passed, 32-1.

NFRC 100 Skylight Appendix A.3

The proposed new Appendix A.3 is patterned after the existing Appendix A.2. It addresses an emerging need by specifiers for project-specific skylight U-factor ratings similar to those available for non-standard window sizes, as described in A.2.

As building codes continue to reduce maximum allowed U-factors for all fenestration products, it is important to allow for non-certified ratings to be made available for skylights at actual installed slopes.

The skylight U-factor at slopes approaching vertical is typically 20 percent to 30 percent less than that yielded at the standard 20-degrees-above-horizontal slope. This can be critical for code compliance on many projects. It also provides HVAC designers with more accurate data for the building envelope heat loss estimates. In turn, this results in better efficiency levels inherent in selecting right-sized mechanical systems.

One concern is that the ballot does not provide the technical methodology for the simulator to perform the simulations at non-standard slopes. Boundary conditions are only present the THERM for 20 degree.

Therefore, a motion to move this ballot back to the task group was approved, 30-1.

New R&T Chair DeBlock Leads Discussion, Announces Winckler as Vice Chair

2011-07-18T15:50:00.006-04:00

The Research and Technology (R&T) Committee, led by new Chair, Dave DeBlock, convened this afternoon, approving three motions brought forth by the Research Subcommittee.

DeBlock also announced that Lisa Winckler will serve as the R&T Committee's Vice Chair.

Motions Moving Forward

First, a combined motion to extend the Window 6 – Therm 6 Validation Rating Research Project and to extend the Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Condensation Resistance Research completion deadline until the Fall 2011 membership meeting was approved, 42-1.

Second, a motion to approve a bid for Carli, Inc. to proceed with the CMA Improved Algorithm Research Project was approved, 34-8, and will go to the Board for final approval.

Additionally, a motion to approve the Complex Fenestration Rating RFP with APC integrated, moving it to the Board for final approval passed, 39-2.

Feel free to provide your comments.

Vinograd, McCluney Request Input on TGRF

2011-07-18T12:35:00.003-04:00

Yossi Vinograd and Ross McCluney just called on NFRC members to provide their input on the Task Group Request Form issued earlier this month by the Translucent Panel Visible Transmittance (VT) Task Group (TG).

The TGRF concerns the development of a ballot aimed at improving NFRC’s ratings for certified translucent products – specifically flat translucent daylighting panels.

The central issue here is whether information found in NFRC’s Certified Products Directory (CPD) may be misinterpreted.

Currently, users find the value, “-1” under the VT column. The TG is concerned that users may interpret this as a dash followed by the value, “1,” which according to some can indicate a 100 percent VT value, which is unachievable.

The Translucent Panel Visible Transmittance (VT) Task Group is utilizing the TGRF process to obtain input on the NFRC 202 VT Test Procedure. They will propose a ballot later this fall that provides a method for measuring the VT for translucent glazing, which is based on existing translucent VT measurements established by ASTM International standards.

These standards are known as ASTM E 972 and ASTM E1084. They would allow NFRC to physically test panels that currently cannot be measured using existing NFRC methods. The ASTM standards have been recognized by translucent product manufacturers for many years.

While the TG recognizes this step may not represent a final solution, they believe it represents progress.

The TGRF is available here.

Please feel free to provide your comments.

Closure on Window 6 - Therm 6 Extended, CMA Refinements Pending

2011-07-18T11:22:00.009-04:00

The Research Subcommittee began NFRC's Virtual Committee Week Meeting this morning, reporting on a number of issues.

One of those issues was the status of the Window 6 – Therm 6 Validation Research Project.

A recent Webinar held to discuss the results of the project revealed the need for further refinements, and these refinements are still under review.

Members can view the updated version of the presentation here.

It is estimated that one more meeting cycle is needed to bring the Window 6 - Therm 6 Validation Research Project to closure, and a motion to extend finalization until the fall 2011 conference was approved 42 -1.

Bid to Improve CMA Methodology Approved

A second issue under discussion during this morning's proceedings was a bid from Carli, Inc. to refine the CMA algorithms.

The purpose of this initiative is to further improve the accuracy of CMA as it is being applied to more advanced fenestration products.

The bid, which proposes a nine-month-long project at a cost of approximately $58,000 was approved, 36-6.

Feel free to provide your comments.

Virtual Committee Week Meeting Underway

2011-07-18T10:11:00.002-04:00

The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) Virtual Committee Week Meeting began at 10:00 a.m., and the Research Subcommittee is set to begin discussions.

Be sure to check back frequently to learn what's happening with the issues that may influence the way you run your business.

Feel free to provide your comments if you like.

DeBlock Brings Knowledge, Vision as Research and Technology Committee Chair

2011-07-13T09:05:00.001-04:00

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is pleased to announce that Dave DeBlock will serve as Chair of the Research and Technology (R&T) Committee.

DeBlock will lead the committee’s work as it develops and maintains the technical data used to support the NFRC rating procedures. The R&T Committee is responsible for optical properties, technical research, thermo-physical properties, and long-term energy performance research.

With 18 years involvement in NFRC, DeBlock brings a wide range of knowledge and vision to the Chair position.

He holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and also served on NFRC’s Tubular Daylighting Devices Task Group where he assisted in developing standards and procedures for nearly 10 years.

DeBlock also volunteered as Vice Chair of the Door Task Group for four years and most recently served as Vice Chair of the Research and Technology Committee under recently-retired Chair Werner Lichtenberger.

“I was motivated to seek the R&T Chair position by my desire to take ownership of the progress in designing the most energy efficient fenestration products possible,” DeBlock said. “Given my skills and background, I am uniquely qualified to help make that happen.

An Eye on the Future

DeBlock says that throughout his many years of involvement with NFRC he has always kept a keen eye on what scientists have been doing with fenestration solutions and energy performance. Accordingly, one of his primary goals as R&T Chair is to keep knowledgeable and progressive scientists coming to NFRC’s meetings so the flow of new ideas will continue to increase.

“We’ve got some great minds that are willing to work with the fenestration industry, and we need to capitalize on that,” DeBlock concluded. “By conducting the right kind of research, we can assure our ratings are reliable and repeatable, and that will make all of us more successful."

CEO Welcomes DeBlock’s Perspective

NFRC’s CEO, Jim Benney, said having DeBlock assume the R&T Chair position is the next logical step for someone who has contributed many years of hard work and dedication to the organization’s mission.

“We’ve all been fortunate to benefit from Dave’s specialized knowledge, diverse talents, and persistent ambition,” Benney said. “It’s great to see him step into a leadership position where his insight can help further develop the R&T committee’s focus and objectives while contributing to NFRC’s strategic objectives.”

Please contact NFRC's Communications and Marketing Manager, Tom Herron, with any questions.

College Dorm Looks to High-Peformance Windows to Help Exceed Building Codes

2011-07-06T19:27:00.005-04:00

A green dormitory known as the Terrahaus, which is located on the Unity College campus in Unity, Maine, is expected to emerge as the most energy efficient building of its kind in the country, due in part to the installation of high-performance windows.

Construction on the Terrahaus will completed in August 2011, and the building will play home to ten students when school resumes in the fall. Terrahouse is expected to use 90 percent less energy for space heating than a normal code compliant building in Maine.

School officials hope similar projects will catch on with other campuses across the country. The school also plans to build two more similar dorms in the future.

View the video on Terrahaus here

Creating a Customer-Friendly Attachment Ratings Label

2011-06-22T13:23:00.002-04:00

Last fall, NFRC approved technical procedures for the development of energy performance ratings for co-planar interior and exterior attachment products. This represented a major step toward one day providing third-party performance ratings for products such as blinds and shades. Throughout the development process, NFRC's Board of Directors provided guidance for the Fenestration Attachments program and continues to do so.

With technical procedures in place, NFRC's Attachments Subcommittee now is developing a certification and labeling program. It is a challenging task. Many variables affect the performance of an attachment product – e.g., the type of window to which it is attached, the operation of the attachment product itself (open/closed), the angle of the sun, etc. At the same time, it's important that NFRC provide customers with an easy-to-use label.

In early 2011, the board provided guidance on the development of the attachments label, recommending: "...that a 'Stars' rating on an attachment label [is an example of a rating system that] meets the direction previously approved by the board. Additional information on the label may be provided as long as it continues to meet board direction and the rating not be stated as a U-Factor and SHGC numerical rating. This does not exclude the use of U-factor and SHGC numerical data from other NFRC material related to attachments."

Those familiar with NFRC ratings know this is a departure from the numeric ratings found on our labels. During NFRC's spring meeting, attendees raised questions about the board's direction to the Attachments Subcommittee.

In my opinion, we need to keep in mind that customers, not building code enforcement officials, engineers or scientists, are the primary audience for these labels. In addition, the attachment label should avoid implying an undue level of precision, because NFRC does not know the performance of the window, door or skylight to which the product will be attached, the solar incident angles, or how the customer will operate the product.

The board's recommendation to use a different rating system for the attachment label will help make it more customer-friendly, allowing apples-to-apples comparisons of attachment products. It does not preclude the use of numerical data in forums other than the label itself. Providing U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient and visible transmittance data may be helpful, as long as that data is provided with additional explanations on a separate document.

While the board's direction specifically mentioned a "Stars" rating system, my interpretation is that it serves as an example. A different symbolic or scalar type system could also meet the board's guidance.

This is an opportunity for the attachments community to develop a visual ratings system that is distinct from the NFRC windows label and easily recognizable by customers. What type of system do you think the label should feature?

China's Renewed Interest in Energy Efficiency Turns Attention toward Glass

2011-06-15T20:13:00.003-04:00

A recent article in the New York Times says provincial governments in China are subsidizing the construction of factories that produce energy efficient products, including triple-layer, insulated glass.

The move comes as China grows more concerned with using energy efficiently. It is likely a response to electricity shortages and blackouts over the past year. Another likely trigger is the country’s security concerns regarding its dependence on energy imports.

Senior executives in the glass manufacturing industry report that Chinese construction companies had long chosen low-cost, less-insulated materials. The reason is that buildings in China tend to change hands frequently, causing owners to look past the potential for long-term paybacks from electricity savings.

The real estate industry in China is constructing office towers and apartment buildings at a brisk pace but with little regard for energy efficiency, but that is changing.

China’s building energy efficiency director at the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development reports that the ministry has adopted an energy labeling system for new commercial and government buildings. It is also looking at creating fiscal incentives for developers to use more efficient materials and adopt renewable energy.

Details

NFRC Exhibiting at Building Conference in San Francisco

2011-06-10T17:07:00.005-04:00

Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting during the Pacific Coast Building Conference (PCBC), July 22-24.

The event will be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA.

According to the show’s Website, PCBC is designed to improve dialogue in the industry and to explore new perspectives. It’s also designed to promote the understanding that sustainable development is environmentally sound, economically advantageous, and socially equitable.

Additionally, PCBC will work with attendees to encourage adopting recent legislative mandates and embracing a new mindset around energy-efficient homebuilding.

Exhibit Hall Hours

The exhibit hall will be open on Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. It will also be open on Friday, June 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

If you are attending the conference, be sure to visit NFRC at booth N-5222. We look forward to answering your questions about our programs and activities.

Please contact NFRC's Communications and Marketing Manager, Tom Herron, with any questions.

New Rebate Program in Fredericksburg, Virginia Seeks to Improve Energy Efficiency in Older Homes

2011-06-05T14:46:00.005-04:00

Home owners in Fredericksburg, Virginia can now take advantage of a new rebate program aimed at making older homes more energy efficient.

The George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) initiated the program and is currently accepting applications from residents and contractors.

According to the GWRC’s Website, the organization strives to coordinate planning to ensure economic competitiveness, reduce redundancy in government, improve efficiency, and enhance services and improve implementation time of regional projects

The program, known as the Home Energy Loss Prevention (GW-HELP) initiative, was made possible by a $1 million grant from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

These funds were available from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Under the program, a home energy audit that reveals residents can save at least 20 percent on their energy bills with various improvements can receive a rebate of up to $6,000 of the cost of qualifying work through the grant program. Qualifying improvements include windows and doors.

Details

Four Clear-Cut Steps Lead to CMA Certification in California

2011-05-28T00:30:00.001-04:00

An online article recently posted on the American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s (AAMA) Website discusses the four primary steps involved in the certification process for the National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Program in California.

The CMA Product Certification Program (PCP) enables whole product energy performance ratings for commercial (non-residential) fenestration.

CMA accomplishes this by using online performance data for the three primary components of a fenestration product – glazing, frames, and spacers – to generate overall product performance ratings for U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and Visible Transmittance (VT). This information is incorporated into a CMA Label Certificate for code compliance.

According to a study conducted by the Heschong Mahone Group (HMG), and released in October 2010 by NFRC, the use of CMA provided an increase of 11.7 percent in energy compliance margins compared to default fenestration rating values in California buildings.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has incorporated CMA as one of three standard approaches to prove compliance with the state's 2008 Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards for non-residential buildings.

The CMA PCP consists of four primary steps, which are described in detail here.

Please contact Tom Herron for more information about this posting.

Certification Programs Help Consumers Make "Right" Choice

2011-05-23T09:13:00.004-04:00

A recent online article explains how certification programs can help consumers make the right choices for themselves.

The article says there is no one best window or door. Instead, making the right choice depends on multiple factors such as energy performance, individual tastes and preferences, and budget.

One thing consumers can rely on to make the right choice is a certification program. Such programs provide fair, accurate, and credible information.

Certification programs offer consumers value because they measure products against a single performance standard and report the various ratings achieved.

Under the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) program, energy performance ratings include thermal performance, solar heat gain resistance, and visible transmittance.

Read Article Here

NFRC Exhibiting at BOMA Show in Maryland

2011-05-18T11:50:00.005-04:00

Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting during the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) 2011 International Conference and The Every Building Show, June 26-28.

The event will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

According to the show’s Website, the event provides innovative solutions that benefit all types of buildings. It offers attendees the opportunity to meet with leading suppliers who can provide insight on increasing operational efficiencies, enhancing property values, and reducing costs.

Additionally, BOMA says the show is ideal for those responsible for purchasing or recommending products and services for buildings because it provides the information they need to make more informed decisions.

Educational Opportunities

BOMA 2011 will also feature over 40 educational sessions focused on helping attendees tackle today's challenges while identifying new opportunities in the marketplace. The sessions are organized in five education tracks and led by industry experts.

Exhibit Hall Hours

The exhibit hall will be open on Sunday, June 26 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. It will also be open on Monday, June 27 from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. by appointment only. The final day of the show is Tuesday, June 28, and the exhibit hall will be open from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

If you are attending the BOMA show, be sure to visit NFRC at booth #1204. We look forward to answering your questions about our activities and programs.

Please contact NFRC's Communications and Marketing Manager, Tom Herron, with any questions.