By Jessica Finn

“If you don’t create a system for testing and reporting fair, accurate, and credible energy performance information for windows, doors, and skylights, we will.”

-U.S. Federal government

In 1989, 25 industry leaders attending an American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) meeting in Vancouver, got together to discuss the need to establish a new organization focused on a national, uniform fenestration energy -rating system. Since there was no official meeting space available in the hotel, the group eventually settled in the hotel bar. It was in this humble setting that the National Fenestration Rating Council ( NFRC) was born, and its original logo sketched out on a bar napkin. By unanimous vote, these pioneers agreed to form the NFRC we know today.

The dedication of NFRC members mattered then, and 31 years later, membership matters just as much, if not more today. We are facing new challenges that need to be address ed as an organization and as an industry, including helping designers meet increasingly stringent energy codes, a changing global climate that requires higher performance from fenestration products, and the need to harmonize international standards.

In the early years, no matter how much NFRC members disagreed, everyone knew that the forces that brought them together still existed. If they couldn’t agree on setting energy-performance standards, the federal government would do it for them with its own system. Another risk was states opt ing to set their own standard, potentially adding onerous delays and expense to product testing and certification.

The challenges ahead of us are big, but the opportunities for advancement and innovation are bigger .  NFRC staff works diligently to increase the organization’s capacity to meet these challenges head on. I t’s also important to highlight the contributions of members for past milestones, as well as the positive effect they have on the future of NFRC.

NFRC members have been instrumental in leading and implementing:

NFRC welcomes members from across the industry, including manufacturers and suppliers, laboratories, inspection agencies, education and research institutions, not -for- profit organizations, and industry associations.  

Every member matters! Small or large manufacturer , university or laboratory, architect or retailer, your time and expertise can make a difference for you and the industry . Leading up to our 2020 membership meeting, we are launching a membership campaign to bring on new members and recognize our current members. 

We hope that you will join us to take on the challenges and seize the opportunities that are coming our way.  For more information, or to get involved click here.

Jessica Finn is NFRC’s membership manager and has been with the organization for nine years.