During a stakeholder meeting hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on August 27, fenestration-related organizations learned that windows will be incorporated into ENERGY STAR’S ® “Most Efficient” program.
The program’s project manager, Doug Anderson, said the designation will not include a label to be affixed to products, but pointed out that a label may be included in various promotional tools such as Websites and other display materials.
Anderson added that the windows program will be comparable to the EPA’s existing program for heating and cooling equipment.
The final ENERGY STAR ® criteria are expected to be published in October 2012.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
California Window Film Industry Anticipating New Business, Respect
With the upcoming implementation of the new California Building Codes, many involved in the window film industry are anticipating increased business and new respect for the products they produce or supply.
“It’s a credibility thing,” said Mark Rascon, owner of Daystar Window Tinting. “Now window film products are going to be recognized as true building materials by other industries and trades.”
Taking effect in January 2014, the new California codes require window films to be NFRC-certified and provide a 10-year warranty while adhering to the Visual Quality Standards of the International Window Film Association (IWFA).
Rascon says this change will help companies like his gain new business and improve public perception by showing that window film products are a viable part of a true energy cost-cutting initiative.
Window film manufacturers can certify the energy performance ratings of their products through the National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) certification program. This program provides an independent, third-party verification of window film performance that allows consumers to compare products and make more informed purchasing decisions.
Details
“It’s a credibility thing,” said Mark Rascon, owner of Daystar Window Tinting. “Now window film products are going to be recognized as true building materials by other industries and trades.”
Taking effect in January 2014, the new California codes require window films to be NFRC-certified and provide a 10-year warranty while adhering to the Visual Quality Standards of the International Window Film Association (IWFA).
Rascon says this change will help companies like his gain new business and improve public perception by showing that window film products are a viable part of a true energy cost-cutting initiative.
Window film manufacturers can certify the energy performance ratings of their products through the National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) certification program. This program provides an independent, third-party verification of window film performance that allows consumers to compare products and make more informed purchasing decisions.
Details
Monday, August 20, 2012
Nearly 120 Billion Square Feet of Energy Efficient Housing Expected by 2020
A new report from Pike Research says construction of new energy efficient homes, and retrofits of existing buildings, will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 42 percent between 2012 and 2020.
This is expected to produce 118.6 billion square feet of energy efficient residential space while driving an annual market value of $84 billion by 2020.
Pike Research defines energy efficient homes as properties built to exceed the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by at least 15 percent on a kilowatt-hour per square foot basis.
The report created by Pike Research is entitled, "Energy Efficient Homes." It analyzes the global market opportunity for energy efficient homes, focusing on key market segments such as building envelope improvements.
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 and contributing to the growth of green building and sustainability.
Visit our Website to learn more.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Researchers at UCLA Developing Film to Harness Solar Power
While still undergoing refinement for introduction into the mainstream marketplace, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a transparent film that can be applied to windows to harness solar power.
The film is currently only able to convert about four percent of the infrared light into electricity, compared to commercially available solar products which are able to convert about 12.4 percent. UCLA researchers are working to improve the film’s capability to 11 percent infrared conversion to electricity, and they are also developing methods to apply the film via a spray-on application, which promises to make the product affordable for consumers.
One professor at UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute estimates the film will eventually be available at an installation cost of about $10-$15 for an average home window. Several commercial companies have already expressed interest in the product, but they have not yet been named.
The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) Certified Products Directory (CPD) contains 258 window film product lines from nine companies.
Details
The film is currently only able to convert about four percent of the infrared light into electricity, compared to commercially available solar products which are able to convert about 12.4 percent. UCLA researchers are working to improve the film’s capability to 11 percent infrared conversion to electricity, and they are also developing methods to apply the film via a spray-on application, which promises to make the product affordable for consumers.
One professor at UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute estimates the film will eventually be available at an installation cost of about $10-$15 for an average home window. Several commercial companies have already expressed interest in the product, but they have not yet been named.
The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) Certified Products Directory (CPD) contains 258 window film product lines from nine companies.
Details
Monday, August 6, 2012
IMT Founder, Chair Calls Energy Efficiency "Invisible," Encourages Promoting Benefits
Founder and Chair of the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), David Goldstein, said in a recent blog posting that energy efficiency is invisible and should be promoted by conveying its benefits.
According to Goldstein, its invisibility is a challenge because it relegates energy efficiency to a lower priority than certain other resources, which are often more costly and less green. Consequently, energy efficiency does not make the top-three-priorities lists that often guide critical policy decisions, and tens of trillions of dollars of potential efficiency benefits are lost.
Goldstein adds that while energy efficiency is the single most powerful tool at our disposal for combating global climate change and recovering from the recession, achieving results requires changes in public policy. Effecting such changes, however, depends on making the benefits of energy efficiency more relatable from a consumer's perspective.
One way the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) conveys the benefits of energy efficiency is by informing consumers how the values found on its energy performance rating label may impact the overall energy efficiency of their homes. With fact sheets available in 83 retail locations around the country, NFRC educates consumers at the point of purchase.
Details
According to Goldstein, its invisibility is a challenge because it relegates energy efficiency to a lower priority than certain other resources, which are often more costly and less green. Consequently, energy efficiency does not make the top-three-priorities lists that often guide critical policy decisions, and tens of trillions of dollars of potential efficiency benefits are lost.
Goldstein adds that while energy efficiency is the single most powerful tool at our disposal for combating global climate change and recovering from the recession, achieving results requires changes in public policy. Effecting such changes, however, depends on making the benefits of energy efficiency more relatable from a consumer's perspective.
One way the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) conveys the benefits of energy efficiency is by informing consumers how the values found on its energy performance rating label may impact the overall energy efficiency of their homes. With fact sheets available in 83 retail locations around the country, NFRC educates consumers at the point of purchase.
Details
Monday, July 30, 2012
No Cost to Contractors for Offering FHA PowerSaver Loan Program
The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) communications department provides the organization's stakeholders with news, information, and insight to anticipate the industry trends and opportunities that may be able to help them grow their businesses.
One of our recent outreach initiatives led to the discovery of the FHA PowerSaver Loan Program. This program offers eligible homeowners competitive interest rate loans for up to 15 years for qualified whole-house improvements and up to 20 years for renewable energy improvements.
Eligible products include windows, doors, and skylights that meet the most recent ENERGY STAR ® specifications, and there is no cost to the contractor to offer these loans at below-market interest rates.
“This government-backed financing program should be ideal for windows whether or not they are bundled with an energy audit or other energy efficiency measures,” said Ed Thomas, Vice President, Utility and Government Services, for the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA).
The EGIA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions through the home improvement and renewable energy industries. EGIA has facilitated the financing of over 40,000 residential and business projects valued in excess of $800 million and administered over $300 million in rebate payments.
EGIA has offered to provide a free, customized Webinar to explain the details of the program exclusively to NFRC stakeholders. There is not yet a tentative date, but if you would be interested in participating, please contact Tom Herron, NFRC's Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing, at 240-821-9505.
Read More
One of our recent outreach initiatives led to the discovery of the FHA PowerSaver Loan Program. This program offers eligible homeowners competitive interest rate loans for up to 15 years for qualified whole-house improvements and up to 20 years for renewable energy improvements.
Eligible products include windows, doors, and skylights that meet the most recent ENERGY STAR ® specifications, and there is no cost to the contractor to offer these loans at below-market interest rates.
“This government-backed financing program should be ideal for windows whether or not they are bundled with an energy audit or other energy efficiency measures,” said Ed Thomas, Vice President, Utility and Government Services, for the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA).
The EGIA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions through the home improvement and renewable energy industries. EGIA has facilitated the financing of over 40,000 residential and business projects valued in excess of $800 million and administered over $300 million in rebate payments.
EGIA has offered to provide a free, customized Webinar to explain the details of the program exclusively to NFRC stakeholders. There is not yet a tentative date, but if you would be interested in participating, please contact Tom Herron, NFRC's Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing, at 240-821-9505.
Read More
Monday, July 23, 2012
Danbury High School Welcome 400 New Windows
About 400 original windows and their shades are being replaced at Danbury High School in Danbury, Connecticut.
School principal, Gary Bocaccio, said the project is longer overdue, pointing out that the original windows, which have been in service for nearly 50 years, were drafty and not energy efficient. Many exterior doors are also being replaced.
The project began during the last week of June and is expected to be completed before teachers return on August 22.
Estimates put the cost of the project at approximately $4 million.
School officials said the building holds about 2,900 students, 212 teachers, and other 90 staff members. They expect the new windows to improve comfort and save money for years to come.
The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) energy performance rating label helps people who are purchasing windows, door, or skylights determine how these products will perform once they are put into service. Understanding how to interpret the values found on the label enables consumers to anticipate energy savings and to purchase the products that will best serve their individual needs.
Read More
School principal, Gary Bocaccio, said the project is longer overdue, pointing out that the original windows, which have been in service for nearly 50 years, were drafty and not energy efficient. Many exterior doors are also being replaced.
The project began during the last week of June and is expected to be completed before teachers return on August 22.
Estimates put the cost of the project at approximately $4 million.
School officials said the building holds about 2,900 students, 212 teachers, and other 90 staff members. They expect the new windows to improve comfort and save money for years to come.
The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) energy performance rating label helps people who are purchasing windows, door, or skylights determine how these products will perform once they are put into service. Understanding how to interpret the values found on the label enables consumers to anticipate energy savings and to purchase the products that will best serve their individual needs.
Read More
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