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.”
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
CEC Approves Standards for More Efficient Buildings in California
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.
Details
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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