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.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Statewide Enforcement of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code Slated for July 1
Statewide enforcement of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) will become mandatory in certain areas on July 1, 2012.
These areas include all municipalities in Maine that have more than 4,000 residents.
The MUBEC was initially adopted in 2007. It consists of four international codes established by the International Code Council (ICC) and other American standards.
Additionally, the MUBEC is intended to resolve the unique differences in building code ordinances that exist in various cities and towns and to hold design professionals to the same standards across the state.
These areas include all municipalities in Maine that have more than 4,000 residents.
The MUBEC was initially adopted in 2007. It consists of four international codes established by the International Code Council (ICC) and other American standards.
Additionally, the MUBEC is intended to resolve the unique differences in building code ordinances that exist in various cities and towns and to hold design professionals to the same standards across the state.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Manufacture of Products in Energy Efficiency Sector Supporting Over 9,000 Jobs in Michigan
The Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) in Michigan recently commissioned a study to determine the economic impact of products in the energy efficiency sector, including building envelope products.
The study concluded that the manufacture of such products has a $2 billion impact on Michigan – supporting over 9,000 jobs, and produces more than $71 million in local and state taxes.
According to the EIBC, the study spotlights how the manufacture of energy efficient products contributes to the state.
Details
The study concluded that the manufacture of such products has a $2 billion impact on Michigan – supporting over 9,000 jobs, and produces more than $71 million in local and state taxes.
According to the EIBC, the study spotlights how the manufacture of energy efficient products contributes to the state.
Details
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Free Fact Sheets Help Retailers Educate Consumers, Sell More
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is calling awareness to its retailer program, which is designed to help window and door retailers educate consumers by offering free fact sheets that explain energy efficiency performance numbers.
The program is growing faster than ever, and NFRC encourages retailers to get involved.
Participation in the retailer program is simple. NFRC ships retailers co-branded tear
sheets–at no cost to the retailers–and re-stocks supplies as needed.
Consumers get the information they need at the point-of-purchase, retailers improve the
likelihood of making sales rather than having their customers go home to think about it, and NFRC gets some recognition.
An information sheet for retailers offers more information on the program, and retailers interested in participating can contact Tom Herron, Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing at therron@nfrc.org.
The program is growing faster than ever, and NFRC encourages retailers to get involved.
Participation in the retailer program is simple. NFRC ships retailers co-branded tear
sheets–at no cost to the retailers–and re-stocks supplies as needed.
Consumers get the information they need at the point-of-purchase, retailers improve the
likelihood of making sales rather than having their customers go home to think about it, and NFRC gets some recognition.
An information sheet for retailers offers more information on the program, and retailers interested in participating can contact Tom Herron, Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing at therron@nfrc.org.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
VA Library Gets Gold for Going Green
The Dolley Madison Community Library in McLean, VA was recently granted Gold Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council.
One of the features library patrons enjoy the most is the 140-foot long wall of windows that stretch from floor to ceiling.
The library hopes its renovations will add up to a 20 percent reduction in the building's energy use when compared to conventionally-designed facilities of comparable size.
Following the $8 million expansion, the library reopened in July 2011. It is now one of 11 LEED certified projects in Fairfax County, VA.
One of the features library patrons enjoy the most is the 140-foot long wall of windows that stretch from floor to ceiling.
The library hopes its renovations will add up to a 20 percent reduction in the building's energy use when compared to conventionally-designed facilities of comparable size.
Following the $8 million expansion, the library reopened in July 2011. It is now one of 11 LEED certified projects in Fairfax County, VA.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Manufacturers Have Access to 4,800 Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs
Manufacturers looking to implement energy-savings programs can search for rebates, grants, and loans using the recently updated State Incentives and Resource Database.
The database enables customized searching and offers access to approximately 4,800 energy incentive programs, which are being offered by federal and state governments, regional and nonprofit organizations, and utilities.
Available incentives include rebates, grants, loans, and training programs.
The State Incentives and Resource Database is designed to help commercial and industrial managers find the financial and technical incentives, tools, and resources they need to make energy efficiency upgrades.
The database enables customized searching and offers access to approximately 4,800 energy incentive programs, which are being offered by federal and state governments, regional and nonprofit organizations, and utilities.
Available incentives include rebates, grants, loans, and training programs.
The State Incentives and Resource Database is designed to help commercial and industrial managers find the financial and technical incentives, tools, and resources they need to make energy efficiency upgrades.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Market Transformation Group Offers Steps for Improving Rate of Code Compliance
While
complying with building energy codes is widely considered the most
effective way to reduce energy costs, the Institute for Market
Transformation (IMT), is not getting the attention it needs to make as
much difference as it could.
Research conducted by IMT says compliance with building energy codes is only around 50 percent.
The group has also conducted research on how to improve compliance. One thing it suggests is streamlining regulatory processes. IMT says Ventura County, California save more than $1 million over six years after purchasing software to streamline permitting and inspections.
IMT says utilizing third parties is an effective way to improve building energy code compliance. This is a viable alternative for understaffed offices and for those seeking greater objectivity and expertise in the energy-performance testing process.
Finally, IMT says improving building energy code compliance can be achieved by holding design professionals accountable. In Wisconsin, for example, licensed architects and engineers are responsible making sure building plan meets codes and that final construction is code compliant. A study by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), determined that energy code compliance for commercial buildings in Wisconsin reached 95 percent in 2011 as a result.
Details
Research conducted by IMT says compliance with building energy codes is only around 50 percent.
The group has also conducted research on how to improve compliance. One thing it suggests is streamlining regulatory processes. IMT says Ventura County, California save more than $1 million over six years after purchasing software to streamline permitting and inspections.
IMT says utilizing third parties is an effective way to improve building energy code compliance. This is a viable alternative for understaffed offices and for those seeking greater objectivity and expertise in the energy-performance testing process.
Finally, IMT says improving building energy code compliance can be achieved by holding design professionals accountable. In Wisconsin, for example, licensed architects and engineers are responsible making sure building plan meets codes and that final construction is code compliant. A study by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), determined that energy code compliance for commercial buildings in Wisconsin reached 95 percent in 2011 as a result.
Details
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