A recent article in Prescott News says the appearance and arrangement of windows, doors, and skylights can greatly impact the aesthetic appeal and marketability of one’s home.
Choosing the right windows, doors, and skylights, however, may turn frustrating when one contemplates the many offerings of the numerous companies that produce these products.
One of the reasons for this frustration is that there are multiple choices to be made. For example, one must choose among frames constructed of wood, aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl, or even some combination of these materials. Furthermore, one must choose from double pane, triple pane, Low E, tempered, tinted, and laminated glass.
While there is no one solution that will work for all consumers, the key to making the best purchasing decision requires determining what one wants to accomplish. Some may be seeking optimal thermal comfort while others may want to prevent ultraviolet radiation from damaging their possessions.
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) helps purchasers compare brands by certifying their energy efficiency ratings. These ratings include U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Air Leakage, and Visible Transmittance.
The information NFRC provides makes it easier for purchasers to compare products and to choose the ones that best meet their specific needs.
Details
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Maine Governor Announces Weatherization Incentives
Governor John E. Baldacci of Maine has announced a new statewide benefit for homeowners seeking to improve energy efficiency.
Dubbed the “Maine Home Performance Program,” all Maine homeowners may participate. By making eligible improvements they can access rebates of up to $3,000.
The program, administered by Efficiency Maine, is designed to encourage residents of the state to consider improving their homes to save energy. Last year the Legislature passed the Governor’s energy bill that set the goal to weatherize all Maine homes and half of Maine businesses by 2030.
Details
Dubbed the “Maine Home Performance Program,” all Maine homeowners may participate. By making eligible improvements they can access rebates of up to $3,000.
The program, administered by Efficiency Maine, is designed to encourage residents of the state to consider improving their homes to save energy. Last year the Legislature passed the Governor’s energy bill that set the goal to weatherize all Maine homes and half of Maine businesses by 2030.
Details
Friday, January 8, 2010
NFRC 2010 Documents Now Available for Review
One of NFRC's main functions is to promulgate technical standards that establish uniform procedures for determining various energy performance ratings such as U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, and Condensation Resistance.
Accordingly, you can now access the NFRC 2010 documents that have been approved by NFRC membership and the NFRC Board of Directors for publication.
Details
Accordingly, you can now access the NFRC 2010 documents that have been approved by NFRC membership and the NFRC Board of Directors for publication.
Details
Thursday, January 7, 2010
BCAP Reports Codes Updates
Below are some of the updates 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 has posted minutes from its meetings on November 16 and December 9. The third meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2010 in Atlanta.
New York
On December 16, 2009 the New York State Uniform Fire and Building Code Council moved a proposal to update the state energy code to the final stages of the state’s regulatory process.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Building Codes Council has posted the proposed modifications to the state’s building code, which includes adoption of the 2009 IBC and 2009 IRC (with amendments), but does not include adoption of the 2009 IECC, the state’s current code is the 2006 IECC.
Tennessee
Having been charged to develop a new statewide residential energy code earlier this year, the Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a rulemaking proposal adopting the 2006 IECC. The proposal would also mandate state buildings to use ASHRAE 90.1-2007 instead of Chapter 13 of the 2006 IBC.
Texas
The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will hold a public meeting to inform stakeholders about the rulemaking and implementation timeline to update the state’s energy codes. The meeting will be on Thursday, January 28 in Austin.
Details
Georgia
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) 2009 IECC Task Force has posted minutes from its meetings on November 16 and December 9. The third meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2010 in Atlanta.
New York
On December 16, 2009 the New York State Uniform Fire and Building Code Council moved a proposal to update the state energy code to the final stages of the state’s regulatory process.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Building Codes Council has posted the proposed modifications to the state’s building code, which includes adoption of the 2009 IBC and 2009 IRC (with amendments), but does not include adoption of the 2009 IECC, the state’s current code is the 2006 IECC.
Tennessee
Having been charged to develop a new statewide residential energy code earlier this year, the Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a rulemaking proposal adopting the 2006 IECC. The proposal would also mandate state buildings to use ASHRAE 90.1-2007 instead of Chapter 13 of the 2006 IBC.
Texas
The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will hold a public meeting to inform stakeholders about the rulemaking and implementation timeline to update the state’s energy codes. The meeting will be on Thursday, January 28 in Austin.
Details
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
R-5 Window Program Seeks Proposals
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking proposals from manufacturers interested in its R-5 Window and Low-E Storm Window Volume Purchase Program.
The deadline for submission is February 19, 2010.
Final specifications call for a U-factor of .20 or below for fixed windows and .22 or below for operable units. The specifications also require an air leakage rating of 0.30 or below.
Details
The deadline for submission is February 19, 2010.
Final specifications call for a U-factor of .20 or below for fixed windows and .22 or below for operable units. The specifications also require an air leakage rating of 0.30 or below.
Details
Monday, January 4, 2010
China Plans for Upcoming Sustainability Forum
On December 11, 2009, the Grassroots Planning meeting for the China Sustainable Building (CSB) Forum 2010 was held in Shanghai.
Attendees were comprised largely of academic leaders and entrepreneurs representing various sections of building industry. During the meeting, they contributed insight on the strategic mission of CSB 2010.
One heavy topic of discussion was how neighborhood development should be the mainstream of green building practice in the near future. The planning meeting also provided an extensive platform for young professionals to share green building experience.
Details
Attendees were comprised largely of academic leaders and entrepreneurs representing various sections of building industry. During the meeting, they contributed insight on the strategic mission of CSB 2010.
One heavy topic of discussion was how neighborhood development should be the mainstream of green building practice in the near future. The planning meeting also provided an extensive platform for young professionals to share green building experience.
Details
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Georgia 2009 IECC Task Force to Meet on January 14, 2010
The following information is being reported by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP).
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) 2009 IECC Task Force has posted the minutes from its meetings on November 16 and December 9. Its third meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m.(ET).
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. The task force will consist of stakeholders from state and local governments, utilities, homebuilders and other private industries. Upon approval by the SCAC and the DCA Board, this code will take effect on January 1, 2011.
Details
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) 2009 IECC Task Force has posted the minutes from its meetings on November 16 and December 9. Its third meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m.(ET).
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. The task force will consist of stakeholders from state and local governments, utilities, homebuilders and other private industries. Upon approval by the SCAC and the DCA Board, this code will take effect on January 1, 2011.
Details
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