In a speech earlier today, President Obama said retrofitting homes will help small businesses grow and create new jobs.
Speaking at the Brookings Institution, a Washington research institute, Obama talked about a new program that will provide rebates for consumers who make their homes more energy efficient through retrofitting.
Yesterday, Obama told a group of reporters that the country’s economic growth has moved into positive territory and added that the primary challenge now is to be sure job growth coincides with economic growth.
Details
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Stimulus-Funded Weatherization Program in Indiana Looks Promising
Indiana’s stimulus-funded home weatherization program got off to a slow start, but now it's growing quickly and reaching its goal of improving energy efficiency in more than 8,000 homes by June 2010 looks promising.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority reports that nearly 1,600 homes across Indiana have either undertaken or completed weatherization efforts. That’s 18 percent of the 8,661 the agency wants completed by May 30.
Details
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority reports that nearly 1,600 homes across Indiana have either undertaken or completed weatherization efforts. That’s 18 percent of the 8,661 the agency wants completed by May 30.
Details
Monday, December 7, 2009
NRFC -- Board of Directors Update
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) recently elected one member to serve on its Board of Directors and re-elected two others. Each will serve a three-year term, beginning this month.
An independent firm that managed the voting process reported the certified election results to the NFRC. Members of the NFRC:
• Elected Sneh Kumar, of TRACO, as a first-time Board member to fill a Fenestration Industry category seat.
• Re-elected Mike Thoman, of Architectural Testing, Inc., to a second term to fill a Laboratory category seat.
• Re-elected Kerry Haglund, of the Center for Sustainable Building Research, to a second term to fill a General Interest category seat.
"NFRC is proud that our members continue to demonstrate their dedication to the organization by participating in the Board election process," said Jim Benney, NFRC’s executive director. "We’re pleased to welcome a first-time Board member and to retain the services of two current Board members."
Additionally, NFRC announced its 2010 Board of Directors Executive Committee:
• Chair: Joe Hayden, Pella Corp.
• Vice Chair: Steve Strawn, Jeld-Wen, Inc.
• Treasurer: Kerry Haglund, Center for Sustainable Building Research
• Secretary: Steve Farrar, Guardian Industries Corp.
• Ombudsman: Jim Krahn, Marvin Windows & Doors
The Executive Committee will turn its attention to several priorities for 2010, including the successful deployment of the Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program and development of a fair, accurate, and credible rating program for fenestration attachments. In addition, the Executive Committee will focus on the roll-out of the Certified Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) requirement. In July 2010, IGUs used in NFRC-certified and -labeled products must be certified by a third-party Insulating Glass certification program prior to those products obtaining NFRC certification authorization.
An independent firm that managed the voting process reported the certified election results to the NFRC. Members of the NFRC:
• Elected Sneh Kumar, of TRACO, as a first-time Board member to fill a Fenestration Industry category seat.
• Re-elected Mike Thoman, of Architectural Testing, Inc., to a second term to fill a Laboratory category seat.
• Re-elected Kerry Haglund, of the Center for Sustainable Building Research, to a second term to fill a General Interest category seat.
"NFRC is proud that our members continue to demonstrate their dedication to the organization by participating in the Board election process," said Jim Benney, NFRC’s executive director. "We’re pleased to welcome a first-time Board member and to retain the services of two current Board members."
Additionally, NFRC announced its 2010 Board of Directors Executive Committee:
• Chair: Joe Hayden, Pella Corp.
• Vice Chair: Steve Strawn, Jeld-Wen, Inc.
• Treasurer: Kerry Haglund, Center for Sustainable Building Research
• Secretary: Steve Farrar, Guardian Industries Corp.
• Ombudsman: Jim Krahn, Marvin Windows & Doors
The Executive Committee will turn its attention to several priorities for 2010, including the successful deployment of the Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program and development of a fair, accurate, and credible rating program for fenestration attachments. In addition, the Executive Committee will focus on the roll-out of the Certified Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) requirement. In July 2010, IGUs used in NFRC-certified and -labeled products must be certified by a third-party Insulating Glass certification program prior to those products obtaining NFRC certification authorization.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Building Code Developments
Here are some of the code developments being reported by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP)
Georgia
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) 2009 IECC Task Force meeting minutes from November 16 have been posted, as well as a presentation on the 2009 IECC. The amendments submitted through November 24 are also available. The Task Force will meet again on Wednesday, December 9 at 10 a.m. (ET) in Board Room 302 of the Department of Community Affairs, located at 60 Executive Park South, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
The task force will review the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 (the Georgia State Minimum Energy Code currently references the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2004), with a potential adoption expected in the spring of 2010.
Georgia
The Georgia Residential Green Building Code Task Force continues to meet next month. Work group meeting minutes and next scheduled meeting dates have been released. All work group meetings are open to the public:
· Administration – Next meeting: Dec. 8, 1:30pm (ET)
· Water and Energy Efficiency – Next meeting: Dec. 16, 9:30am (ET)
· Materials and Resources – Next meeting: Dec. 8, 1:30pm (ET)
The minutes from the Task Force's Nov. 3 meeting are now available. The Task Force will hold its third meeting on Tuesday, December 8 in the DCA Board Room located on the Third Floor of 60 Executive Park South, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
Hawaii
After the Hawaii Building Code Council approved the 2006 IECC with state-specific amendments on October 13, work has begun on the development of a statewide code to be based on the 2009 IECC. Minutes from the November 4 meeting of the 2009 IECC subcommittee of the Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism are available. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00pm HT (7:00 p.m. ET). A call-in number will be provided. The agenda will include:
1. Resolve the SHGC issue once and for all
2. Clear up language re allowing sealed attics with fiberglass and foam insulation in residences 3. Examine possible error regarding "maximum" vs. "minimum" emissivity and reflectivity in residential cool roof language
4. Settling on skylight SHGC
5. Assigning R-equivalent values to reflective roof and wall coatings
6. Amending the fenestration projection factor language to include a sliding scale for partially-shaded windows (see #1)
7. Incorporating exterior screen SHGC factors into #1, above
8. Examining the possibility of sub-zoning areas based on insulation levels or elevation.
Illinois
Legislation approved in August has directed the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) to adopt statewide the 2009 IECC for residential buildings and privately funded commercial buildings and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for publicly funded commercial buildings. The legislation removed local home rule jurisdiction over energy codes and now includes residential and commercial buildings under the purview of the state code (currently, there is not a mandatory residential statewide energy code based on the IECC). A proposal is scheduled to go before the CDB at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 8.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board has scheduled the completion of its work leftover from its November 13 meeting for an all-day meeting on Friday, December 11 to finish the adoption of potential amendments to the new state code to be based on the 2009 IECC (the current state code is based on the 2006 IECC). The effective date for the new code is now expected in April 2010.
Ohio
A number of upcoming meetings of the Ohio energy code development community are scheduled for December:
Fri. December 4: The Codes Committee of the Ohio Board of Building Standards (BBS) will meet, but will not be reviewing a residential code proposal until January at the earliest.
Fri. December 11: The full BBS conference committee will meet (this is not a public hearing).
Pennsylvania
As required by the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act of 1999 (and its amendments), the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) is required to update the state’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC) by December 31 of the year of the issuance of the new ICC family of codes (I-codes), including the IECC (the 2009 I-Codes were published in January 2009). The Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (Council) reviewed the 2009 IECC (the current UCC incorporates the 2006 IECC) this April and informed DLI that no provisions of the 2009 IECC are to be excluded.
Virginia
In July, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development voted in favor adopting a recommendation to update the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) to reference the 2009 IECC (it currently references the 2006 IECC). A comment period on the proposed USBC will be open from September 28, 2009 to January 25, 2010. The Board will review the comments received at its meeting in March 2010, with final adoption tentatively planned for late summer 2010. The next meeting of the Board’s Codes and Standards Committee will be Monday, December 14 at 10:00am ET.
Full Details
Georgia
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) 2009 IECC Task Force meeting minutes from November 16 have been posted, as well as a presentation on the 2009 IECC. The amendments submitted through November 24 are also available. The Task Force will meet again on Wednesday, December 9 at 10 a.m. (ET) in Board Room 302 of the Department of Community Affairs, located at 60 Executive Park South, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
The task force will review the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 (the Georgia State Minimum Energy Code currently references the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2004), with a potential adoption expected in the spring of 2010.
Georgia
The Georgia Residential Green Building Code Task Force continues to meet next month. Work group meeting minutes and next scheduled meeting dates have been released. All work group meetings are open to the public:
· Administration – Next meeting: Dec. 8, 1:30pm (ET)
· Water and Energy Efficiency – Next meeting: Dec. 16, 9:30am (ET)
· Materials and Resources – Next meeting: Dec. 8, 1:30pm (ET)
The minutes from the Task Force's Nov. 3 meeting are now available. The Task Force will hold its third meeting on Tuesday, December 8 in the DCA Board Room located on the Third Floor of 60 Executive Park South, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
Hawaii
After the Hawaii Building Code Council approved the 2006 IECC with state-specific amendments on October 13, work has begun on the development of a statewide code to be based on the 2009 IECC. Minutes from the November 4 meeting of the 2009 IECC subcommittee of the Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism are available. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00pm HT (7:00 p.m. ET). A call-in number will be provided. The agenda will include:
1. Resolve the SHGC issue once and for all
2. Clear up language re allowing sealed attics with fiberglass and foam insulation in residences 3. Examine possible error regarding "maximum" vs. "minimum" emissivity and reflectivity in residential cool roof language
4. Settling on skylight SHGC
5. Assigning R-equivalent values to reflective roof and wall coatings
6. Amending the fenestration projection factor language to include a sliding scale for partially-shaded windows (see #1)
7. Incorporating exterior screen SHGC factors into #1, above
8. Examining the possibility of sub-zoning areas based on insulation levels or elevation.
Illinois
Legislation approved in August has directed the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) to adopt statewide the 2009 IECC for residential buildings and privately funded commercial buildings and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for publicly funded commercial buildings. The legislation removed local home rule jurisdiction over energy codes and now includes residential and commercial buildings under the purview of the state code (currently, there is not a mandatory residential statewide energy code based on the IECC). A proposal is scheduled to go before the CDB at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 8.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board has scheduled the completion of its work leftover from its November 13 meeting for an all-day meeting on Friday, December 11 to finish the adoption of potential amendments to the new state code to be based on the 2009 IECC (the current state code is based on the 2006 IECC). The effective date for the new code is now expected in April 2010.
Ohio
A number of upcoming meetings of the Ohio energy code development community are scheduled for December:
Fri. December 4: The Codes Committee of the Ohio Board of Building Standards (BBS) will meet, but will not be reviewing a residential code proposal until January at the earliest.
Fri. December 11: The full BBS conference committee will meet (this is not a public hearing).
Pennsylvania
As required by the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act of 1999 (and its amendments), the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) is required to update the state’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC) by December 31 of the year of the issuance of the new ICC family of codes (I-codes), including the IECC (the 2009 I-Codes were published in January 2009). The Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (Council) reviewed the 2009 IECC (the current UCC incorporates the 2006 IECC) this April and informed DLI that no provisions of the 2009 IECC are to be excluded.
Virginia
In July, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development voted in favor adopting a recommendation to update the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) to reference the 2009 IECC (it currently references the 2006 IECC). A comment period on the proposed USBC will be open from September 28, 2009 to January 25, 2010. The Board will review the comments received at its meeting in March 2010, with final adoption tentatively planned for late summer 2010. The next meeting of the Board’s Codes and Standards Committee will be Monday, December 14 at 10:00am ET.
Full Details
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wausau Earns ACE Certification Through NFRC
Wausau Window and Wall Systems is among the first manufacturers to earn Approved Calculation Entity certification through the National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC). Accordingly, Wausau says it is now in a position to provide offer its customers reassurance to customers who want to fully understand new energy code requirements.
NFRC labels are currently mandated only in California and Washington, but nationwide adoption is likely.
According to Jessica Ferris, CMA’s Program Manager, ACE-certified users analyze performance data for non-residential fenestration energy ratings. By accessing NFRC's Component Modeling Approach software tool, CMAST, they are able to review libraries of approved frames, glass and spacer components.
These libraries help users configure fenestration products for a project, and allow them to obtain a U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient and visible transmittance rating for those products. Performance values are then compared to the energy requirements of local codes, such as California's Title 24, to determine compliance.
NFRC labels are currently mandated only in California and Washington, but nationwide adoption is likely.
According to Jessica Ferris, CMA’s Program Manager, ACE-certified users analyze performance data for non-residential fenestration energy ratings. By accessing NFRC's Component Modeling Approach software tool, CMAST, they are able to review libraries of approved frames, glass and spacer components.
These libraries help users configure fenestration products for a project, and allow them to obtain a U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient and visible transmittance rating for those products. Performance values are then compared to the energy requirements of local codes, such as California's Title 24, to determine compliance.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
NFRC's Board of Directors -- Three Seats Filled, Opportunities Remain
NFRC’s Board of Directors – Three Seats Filled but Opportunities Remain
NFRC extends a special thank you to all of its voting members who participated in November’s online board election. The election is completed and the results are in.
Results
Sneh Kumar of TRACO was elected as a first-time Board member to fill the Fenestration Industry Category seat.
Mike Thoman of Architectural Testing, Inc. was re-elected to a second term to fill the Laboratory seat.
Kerry Haglund of the Center for Sustainable Building Research was also re-elected to a second term, filling the General Interest seat.
Remaining Opportunities
Longtime NFRC advocate, Board Member, and Certification Policy Committee (CPC) Chair, Roland Temple has chosen to retire, and his departure leaves two leadership voids – a General Interest Category Board Seat and the CPC Chair.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors is asking NFRC members to help fill these two seats. The General Interest Board seat will re-open for general election next fall, but still needs to be filled on an interim basis.
Individuals serving in the General Interest Category must be employed by or have a significant affiliation with current NFRC members in good standing who are in the General Interest membership category.
The CPC Chair is selected from among NFRC membership and holds an ex-officio (non-voting) seat on the NFRC Board of Directors. The seat also includes a number of other fiduciary responsibilities accorded to that position. NFRC will provide detailed information to anyone who is interested.
If you would like to recommend someone to fill the General Interest Board Seat or the CPC Chair, please contact Jim Benney, NFRC’s Executive Director, at jbenney@nfrc.org.
Please submit your recommendations by December 15, 2009.
NFRC extends a special thank you to all of its voting members who participated in November’s online board election. The election is completed and the results are in.
Results
Sneh Kumar of TRACO was elected as a first-time Board member to fill the Fenestration Industry Category seat.
Mike Thoman of Architectural Testing, Inc. was re-elected to a second term to fill the Laboratory seat.
Kerry Haglund of the Center for Sustainable Building Research was also re-elected to a second term, filling the General Interest seat.
Remaining Opportunities
Longtime NFRC advocate, Board Member, and Certification Policy Committee (CPC) Chair, Roland Temple has chosen to retire, and his departure leaves two leadership voids – a General Interest Category Board Seat and the CPC Chair.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors is asking NFRC members to help fill these two seats. The General Interest Board seat will re-open for general election next fall, but still needs to be filled on an interim basis.
Individuals serving in the General Interest Category must be employed by or have a significant affiliation with current NFRC members in good standing who are in the General Interest membership category.
The CPC Chair is selected from among NFRC membership and holds an ex-officio (non-voting) seat on the NFRC Board of Directors. The seat also includes a number of other fiduciary responsibilities accorded to that position. NFRC will provide detailed information to anyone who is interested.
If you would like to recommend someone to fill the General Interest Board Seat or the CPC Chair, please contact Jim Benney, NFRC’s Executive Director, at jbenney@nfrc.org.
Please submit your recommendations by December 15, 2009.
Monday, November 30, 2009
NFRC Accredits Lab Outside U.S.
NFRC has accredited its first laboratory outside North America
The laboratory is in Brummeria, Pretoria, South Africa, and it was accredited for thermal testing. The name of the laboratory is simply, Thermal Test Laboratory. It is managed by Gerrit Genis.
The on-site inspection occurred in July of 2009 by Bipin Shah.
The laboratory is in Brummeria, Pretoria, South Africa, and it was accredited for thermal testing. The name of the laboratory is simply, Thermal Test Laboratory. It is managed by Gerrit Genis.
The on-site inspection occurred in July of 2009 by Bipin Shah.
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