Selkowitz Honors Arasteh as "Mentor" to All

Steve Selkowitz (LBNL) payed tribute to Dariush Arasteh this afternoon, calling him a mentor to us all.

Arasteh, one of the experts who was pivotal in creating NFRC, passed away on February 3, 2012 after battling cancer.

An esteemed contributor to the rating methods NFRC still uses today, Arasteh, worked as a researcher and scientist alongside Selkowitz at LBNL. Arasteh was involved in many aspects of the organization’s work on energy efficient windows, including the development of highly-insulating “superwindows.”

Arasteh also served as a lifelong advocate for fair, accurate, and credible ratings for the thermal performance of windows and enjoyed studying the role of windows in net-zero homes.

Selkowitz referred to Arasteh as a colleague, friend, and mentor not only to new staff at LBNL but everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. 

LBNL's Tribute to Dariush Arasteh

NFRC's McGowan Offers Insight on R&T Block Accomplishments

W6/T6 Completion Date Extended to Fall 2012

A motion proposing that the completion date for the W6/T6 Validation Research Project be extended until the fall 2012 membership meeting passed, 28-0.

While the research is complete, the project report is still being finalized.

Following the 2012 membership meeting, the contractor will transfer to NFRC all data, materials, and works related to the project.

"Ambassadors” Help Newcomers Navigate First Meeting

First-time meeting attendees met their NFRC ambassadors this morning.

The new program, implemented by NFRC’s Membership Manager, Anita Marsh, was implemented to reduce the learning curve for new meeting attendees.

Marsh says her research indicates newcomers typically attend three meetings before they become acclimated. The program is designed to create a cohort group that moves through meetings together, enabling them to enjoy a sense of camaraderie and to get them involved in the proceedings sooner rather than later.

According to Marsh, one of the most valuable aspects of the ambassador program is that it gives newcomers a personal resource they can turn to so they can get answers to their questions quickly and easily.

In Marsh's view, creating an atmosphere of success for first-time attendees is essential to getting talented new people involved and keeping them involved.

Final Countdown: Spring Committee Week Meeting Starts Tomorrow

Greetings from Austin, the capitol of Texas.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will open its spring committee week meeting tomorrow, Monday, March 26 at 8:00 a.m. at the Omni Hotel.

The event begins with opening remarks by NFRC Chair, Steve Strawn. Afterwards, the Research & Technology Committee block gets underway with three subcommittees convening.

These include the Optical Properties Subcommittee, the Research Subcommittee, and the Thermophysical Properties Subcommittee. 

During the afternoon session, the Research & Technology Committee block will continue until the Technical Committee block beings at 2:30 p.m. 

Subcommittees convening under the Technical Committee block include the U-factor Subcommittee, the Solar Heat Gain Subcommittee, and the Annual Energy Performance Committee.

Following the day's meetings, attendees are welcome to attend a networking reception.

Be sure to check back throughout the meeting. NFRC News Now will deliver insight on all the proceedings as they unfold.

As always, we welcome your thoughts on all things NFRC. Post your comments here and start your own conversation.

NFRC Meeting in Austin Next Week, Still Time to Register

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will hold its Committee Week Meeting in Austin, Texas March 26-28 at the Omni Austin Hotel - Downtown.

Registration is required and is still available. Guests and single day attendance is also available. Contact Cheryl Gendron, NFRC's meeting manager, for further information. 

Full Meeting Details

CEC Releases Draft Language of Building Energy Code Update for Public Comment

According to the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), the California Energy Commission (CEC) has prepared draft language for its update to the state building energy code.

The draft represents a 30 percent energy savings over the current 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES).

On February 24, the draft was made available for a 45-day public comment period. Public hearings in Sacramento are slated for March 12, 13, and 15 as needed. The full CEC adoption hearing is scheduled for April 11.

The targeted date for final adoption is October 2012 with the standards becoming effective on January 1, 2014.

Details