States Get Creative to Improve Energy Efficiency, Improve Ranking

According to a new report by the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE), many states are finding creative ways to improve their nationwide energy efficiency ranking.

The report, entitled, “Opportunity Knocks: Examining Low-Ranking States in the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard," says the following states have faced numerous obstacles but have overcome them to improve energy efficiency at least in some way:

• Alabama
• Kansas
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

One ACEEE official said the report shows that every state can find ways to save energy.
 
Last week, for example, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed into law energy efficiency legislation directing all state agencies and higher education institutions to achieve at least 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020.

Additionally, Alabama and South Carolina recently passed statewide building energy codes to ensure new homes and buildings are constructed to save energy from the start. Other states have programs in place to plan and finance energy efficiency improvements in state government facilities.

The report also says states can improve energy efficiency without major government spending or regulatory action. Like Oklahoma, they can lead by example by advancing energy efficiency projects in government facilities and at universities and schools through innovative financing methods such as allowing projects to pay for themselves by using the savings generated by reduces energy costs.
 
States can also adopt and enforce building energy codes.

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The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) offers a wide range of educational and training programs designed to help consumers and industry professionals better understand the role fenestration products play in contributing to improved energy efficiency.

Consumers can rely on NFRC's Certified Products Directory (CPD) to compare the energy efficiency of various products prior to making a purchase.

Ohio YMCA Hopes Incentive Will Cover Cost of More Energy Efficient Windows

The Warren County, Ohio YMCA is offering an incentive for community members to contribute funding to replace the facility's 84-year-old, single-pane windows with more energy efficient windows.

“When the winters are rough, our gas and electric bills average $13,000 to $15,000 a month,” said Richard Denamen, the YMCA's interim director. Computer models estimate new windows could reduce utility bills by 14 percent to 21 percent.

Financial constraints, however, prevent the YMCA from purchasing the 30 new windows they need, so Denamen is turning to the community for assistance. Under his plan, community members would sponsor individual windows at $250 each. In return, the sponsor's name would be engraved on the window.

So far, the YMCA has found sponsors for 15 of the 30 windows needed.

One of the entries found on the National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) energy performance rating label is the U-factor. This measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping from a home or building. U-factor ratings generally fall between 0.20 and 1.20. The lower the U-factor, the better a product retains heat.

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Consumers Want Energy Codes Enforced, Seek Awareness

Students at Bentley University collaborated with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute and Consumers Union to poll the general public about the importance of energy codes. Of the 142 respondents, 90 percent agreed or strongly agreed with the three following assertions:

• Disclosure of a home’s energy usage would enable them to make an informed decision about a new home purchase.
• Homebuilders should make more efficient homes to benefit consumers.
  
• Energy codes should be enforced like other safety and quality standards of construction.

Based on the results, study authors hope those involved in the construction industry will take notice and recognize that energy efficiency is a growing trend in the U.S. The authors further concluded that the average consumer demands a more energy efficient home, but making more informed decisions requires consumers to have access to additional resources. They point out that nationally coordinated education and training programs are essential components of reducing market barriers.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) offers several AIA-accredited continuing education courses to raise awareness about the importance of building energy codes. These courses help participants understand NFRC's placement in ASHRAE and IECC codes and learn how to use the NFRC label to meet or exceed building energy codes.

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Research Subcommittee Get Things Done Virtually

The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Research Subcommittee met virtually yesterday during a special session that included over 35 members discussing and voting on two summary pages as well as other pending business.  Attendees took advantage of the virtual environment to elicit important feedback on projects in various areas of the fenestration energy industry.

Items Discussed

The Improved Validation for Surface 4 Low-e Products summary page will be reconsidered by the Test Lab Test Group. The Research Subcommittee advised the task group to consider mathematical methods and to further review other recent NFRC test ILCs before beginning to test products for better validation.

Additionally, the Research Subcommittee returned the Artificial Light Source Summary page, citing the lack of current need for this method and encouraging industry to pursue building such a device prior to NFRC funding research.

Finally, the Research Subcommittee agreed with a recommendation from the Complex Fenestration VT Rating RFP Bid Review Task Group not to accept a bid from the University of California at Davis (UCD). This recommendation resulted from UCD’s desire to share the intellectual property rather than turn over full rights to NFRC as required. The RFP may be altered and reissued in the future.

Conclusion

“One of NFRC’s goals in creating this special virtual session was to keep the development of our ratings moving forward,” said NFRC’s Meetings Manager, Cheryl Gendron. “The virtual format provides a venue for getting things done while providing cost advantages to everyone who participated.”

California Becomes First State in Nation to Add Window Film Into Building Code

The California Energy Commission recently placed window film into its state building code -- the first move of its kind in the United States.

The milestone decision, resulting from a May 31 vote, becomes effective January 2014, according to the International Window Film Association (IWFA).

Following the decision, window film is recognized across California primarily for retrofit applications. The polymer material has the ability to reduce energy consumption, glare, UV exposure, and fading. 

The executive director of the IWFA called the addition of window film to the code a major step forward for energy efficiency in California and said the change will further the state's reputation as an environmental leader.

Among the items the new building code for window film requires is a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certification label.

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CEC Approves Standards for More Efficient Buildings in California

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved energy efficiency standards for homes and commercial buildings, a move it sees reducing costs and improving comfort. 

California’s Energy Commissioner praised the new standards, saying they will save energy for decades.

The 2013 Building Energy Standards, which take effect on January 1, 2014, are 25 percent more efficient than previous standards for residential construction and 30 percent more efficient for nonresidential construction.

Two improved measures impact the fenestration industry. First, more efficient windows will allow increased sunlight while decreasing heat gain in residences. Second, high performance windows, sensors, and controls will maximize daylighting in nonresidential buildings.

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Research Subcommittee to Present Summary Pages Virtually on June 18

The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Research Subcommittee will present two research summary pages for member approval during an upcoming virtual meeting, which will be held on June 18, 2012.

One summary page will address a crucial U-factor validation issue, and the other will consider an alternate method to generate a solar spectrum. If these summary pages are approved at the Research Subcommittee, the summary page proponents will prepare full RFPs for ballot at the fall 2012 NFRC membership meeting in October.

NFRC now hosts only two face-to-face meetings each year, so providing this special Research Subcommittee session will expedite important research and enable NFRC Board consideration for approval at the fall 2012 meeting.

“Holding this online meeting balances the need to move quickly with the need to find a solution that positions all of us for long-term growth,” said NFRC Meetings Manager, Cheryl Gendron. “It’s a solution that meets our members’ immediate needs while creating a stronger foundation for our fall meeting.”

As always, NFRC welcomes you to post your thoughts and ideas in the comments section.