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Posted By Edward Armstrong,
Monday, October 18, 2021
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In the energy efficiency and retrofit arena, we speak reverentially of “low-hanging fruit.” This typically refers to actions or measures that are easy to implement, pay immediate and long-term dividends, and provide rewards that are so apparent, it’s a no-brainer to make the decision. When it comes to a building’s windows, doors, and skylights, an excellent example of low-hanging fruit is the specification and selection of National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)certified products. It’s a choice that should be front-of-mind for architects, designers, sustainability officers, CFOs, and building owners as they engage in new construction or retrofit projects. NFRC certification provides an assurance that the product you choose has been rated by the world’s foremost expert in window, door, and skylight performance. In fact, the NFRC label provides the only reliable way to determine the window energy properties and compare products. The NFRC brand is universally recognized. For example, ENERGY STAR® relies on NFRC ratings to determine product eligibility, and the ratings are found on all ENERGY STAR-qualified window, door, and skylight products. They are also used to determine if the products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Further, all major standards and programs for window energy efficiency, such as building energy codes, tax credits, and utility incentives, establish criteria based on certified ratings by the NFRC. The NFRC’s role as the United States’ official organization for rating and labeling energy performance of fenestration products, was codified by Congress in the National Energy Policy Act 1992. Why NFRC Certification and Ratings Matters to Designers and Building Managers In the big picture, this is of immense importance in the pursuit of reducing energy consumption. The buildings sector accounts for about 76 percent of electricity use and 40 percent of all U. S. primary energy use and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Studies suggest that advanced window technologies, as part of integrated building designs that incorporate dimmable lighting, have the potential to save as much as four quadrillion BTUs of energy annually. That translates to over $50 billion a year in savings for building owners.
The need for reliable and readily accessible data relating to sustainability and energy efficiency in the built environment has never been more in demand, as evidenced in a recent report published by the American Institute of Architects, “The Architect’s Journey to Specification.” “Although 80 percent of architects want to specify more sustainable materials, only one in three feels they are meeting that responsibility today. They’re looking for knowledge and information that will help them design for sustainability and performance while communicating the value to clients.” The good news here is that the NFRC has it covered on the building fenestration front. For example, the NFRC label helps to compare between energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights by providing energy performance ratings in the most relevant categories. These metrics include:
- Air Leakage measures how much air will enter a room through a product. The lower the number, the fewer drafts.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how well a product can resist unwanted heat gain, which is critical during summer cooling season. The lower the number, the less spent on cooling.
- U-Factor measures how well a product can keep heat from escaping from the inside of a room. The lower the number, the better a product is at retaining heat.
- Visible Transmittance measures how well a product is designed to effectively light a space with daylight, potentially saving money on artificial lighting. The higher the number, the more natural light is let in.
The NFRC Testing and Verification Process The procedure by which a fenestration product attains NFRC certification is thorough, rigorous, and stringently objective. It involves:
- NFRC-accredited testing laboratories that conduct physical tests.
- NFRC-licensed independent certification and inspection agencies, responsible for reviewing the simulation and test reports.
- NFRC-recognized air leakage laboratories to conduct air leakage testing per ASTM E283 and/or NAFS.
- NFRC-accredited simulation laboratories that utilize approved software to determine the energy performance ratings for windows, doors, skylights, and glazed wall systems in accordance with NFRC standards.
In addition to the certification programming described above, NFRC provides a wide-array of resources to aid in the education and understanding of fenestration science and, through its NFRC Certified Products Directory, maintains a filterable database of NFRC-certified products. Through its readily accessible and universally accepted certification and labeling programs, NFRC empowers people to create better buildings. By choosing NFRC-certified fenestration products, those in the building sector demonstrate a commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. It’s a commitment that accrues benefits to the environment, society and each building’s occupants. Truly, a fruitful choice.
Edward “Ed” Armstrong is consultant serving clients in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors with a full range of public relations, marketing, and analytical services. He has worked extensively throughout his career on a variety of energy and natural resource conservation issues. This includes senior level positions at the Energy Management Association, The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates®, and Porter Novelli. Mr. Armstrong Serves on the Editorial Board of the Distributed Generation & Alternative Energy Journal and was elected to the Vestry of the Gaithersburg Ascension Church in January 2021, where he is active on environmental and social justice issues.
Tags:
architecture
energy efficiency
energy performance
fenestration
green building
NFRC ratings
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Posted By Jonathan Hamburger,
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
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The wants and needs of building occupants continually change in the dynamic world of commercial real estate. Prior to the pandemic, tenants considering new office space looked carefully at price, location, accessibility, and ownership reputation, all of which represent the landlord’s traditional selling points.
During the pandemic and its aftermath, however, the focus has changed.
I routinely see many tenants and landlords more interested in indoor air quality. For instance, many clients will not even tour a property unless they are assured the air conditioning and heating systems are relatively new and well-maintained.
A related issue growing in importance is windows that save more energy and provide greater comfort. In fact, I’ve recently seen several landlords replace existing windows to gain these benefits, and building occupants want to know their workspace positively affects their health, wellbeing, and performance.
When landlords can add the benefits of windows that save energy, provide access to plenty of natural light, and help reduce carbon emissions to their buildings, it becomes yet another selling point for them – one that is likely to align with the values of today’s sustainability-conscious customers.
Jonathan I. Hamburger is Vice President of Advisory and Transaction Services at CBRE, a full-service real estate services and investment firm that operates in over 100 countries.
Tags:
buildings
commercial
energy efficiency
fenestration
green building
NFRC ratings
windows
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Posted By Adriana Vargas, National Fenestration Rating Council,
Thursday, December 3, 2020
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We are looking forward to continuing the work of the Commercial Program Work Group with the development of the NFRC 715 PCP Review and the Commercial Technical Task Groups. These groups are open to everyone. To join the groups, click on the name of the group below. To join the groups you must be logged into the community to join, so if you need to create a log it, click here. The details of the group are below: Scope: The task group is responsible for continuing with the development of the WG’s direction for a two-pathway (product directory path and project upload path) certification program and the maintaining of the NFRC 715 Product Certification Program document upon implementation. Staff Liaison- Kevin Louder Scope: The task group is responsible for continuing with the development of the WG’s direction for both the project upload path to certification and for the product directory path which utilizes a modified LEAFF methodology for generating U-Factor, SHGC, VT, and CI rating. Group Chair: Greg McKenna Staff Liaison: Kevin Louder We will be sending out a doodle poll on December 14th to schedule the first meeting in the new year. To make sure that you can make the first meeting, please join the group by Friday, December 11, 2020. This is open to everyone, but highly recommend for those who would like to be involved in the New Commercial Program. Save the Date: In the new year, we will be hosting a Technical Commercial webinar that will review the two-pathways to certification for commercial fenestration with specific focus on the new Commercial Trendline Approach (CTA) Method. This webinar is further being hosted to provide to a brief general overview of the status of the new commercial program, how the ratings are generated and what users should expect from the new program. If you have any questions about the group, please email Kevin Louder.
Tags:
commercial program
fenestration
NFRC ratings
task groups
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Posted By Adriana Vargas, National Fenestration Rating Council,
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
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By Michelle Blackston
NFRC was
proud
to host
a three-part
webinar series, Building a Sustainable
Future
: Macro to Micro. We kicked
of
f
the series with
a
macro look at future weather patterns and predictions, then brought it down to the ground level to examine
how the built environment is responding to climate change,
and finished the series with
a micro
look
at innovations in solar glass.
All sessions were recorded and are available anytime on
NFRC’s YouTube page
.
Stream at your
convenience and
share these links
with colleagues.
Future Weather File
s
was presented by
Tom Di Liberto, a climatologist
and science writer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Program Office’s Communication team
.
Di
Liberto
gave
an in-depth look at future weather
patterns, changing climate zones, and what models predict from now until 2100. Learn about the tools and resources on Climate.gov to follow climate trends and changes.
George Mason University: Path to Net-Zero 2050 or Sooner!
showed how in
2007, George Mason University signed the
American College and University President’s Climate Commitment
to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and then created the school’s Office of Sustainability.
Greg Farley, director of
University Sustainability at GMU,
shared
an overview of their Climate Action Plan and how the
campus is reducing
its carbon footprint
through the built environment.
Envisioning the Solar Glass Revolution
was presented by
Lance Wheeler, Ph.D.,
who leads research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
.
Wheeler
discussed
his invention of the world’s first thermochromic photovoltaic window.
He also
share
d
energy insights
and
current state
-
of
-
the
-
art cutting-edge innovations in PV technology and its use in windows.
Expand your r
each and support NFRC’s sustainability efforts
NFRC is excited to announce
2021
Sustainability Sponsorship Opportunities
to support
our sustainability efforts all year
long.
Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability while reaching NFRC’s growing network of stakeholders across the fenestration industry.
Support
educational sessions
such as
the Building a Sustainable Future webinar series
,
and
increased access to tools and resources for consumers
and industry professionals.
Learn more about opportunities and benefits of sponsorship by contacting
NFRC’s
Sustainability
Manager Jeremy Browning at
jbrowning@nfrc.org
.
Tags:
carbon emissions
carbon footprint
climate change
climate zones
energy efficiency
glass
green building
Net-Zero
NFRC ratings
renewable energy
sponsorship
sustainability
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Posted By Adriana Vargas, National Fenestration Rating Council,
Monday, August 31, 2020
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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:
-
Testing of the whole product v
s. center of glass testing,
-
NFRC becoming the recognized administrator of the
ENERGY STAR®
for fenestration
products,
-
One
-
size testing,
-
Condensation Index rating, and
-
LEAFF, among others.
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.
Tags:
fenestration
industry
manufacturers
members
membership
NFRC ratings
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Posted By Adriana Vargas, National Fenestration Rating Council,
Monday, June 22, 2020
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Ratings Committee
1. NFRC 700 Glazing Description
The purpose of this ballot is to change the required information for the temporary label on certified products.
- The change makes all the glazing description optional instead of mandatory.
- The number of glass panes has also been added to the text describing the glazing description.
- The tint colors also have been incorporated into the single glazing description paragraph.
- Manufacturers that currently print a glazing description on their label may continue to do so.
- There are no required or mandatory changes that a manufacturer must make to their labels as a result of this ballot.
2. NFRC 700 Condensation Index
The purpose of this ballot is to remove the NFRC 500 Condensation Rating and replace it with the ANSI/NFRC 500 Condensation Index.
- Implementation will not take place until the LEAFF pilot program is completed in late 2020.
- PCP participants that want to utilize the NFRC 500 Condensation Resistance Rating in certification authorizations can do so until the implementation of the ANSI/NFRC 500 Condensation Index and implementation or publication in the NFRC 700 PCP.
- Implementation of the Condensation Index will require modification to the Certified Products Directory.
Technical Committee
1. ANSI/NFRC 100 Reporting Ratings
The purpose of this ballot is that ANSI/NFRC 100 is corrected to strike any reference to report metric U-factor to the nearest .05 W/m2K and strictly use proper rounding of the result to two decimal points.
Per NFRC 700, there is no language that states metric rating of U-factor shall be rounded to the nearest 0.05 W/m2K but, consistently throughout the document it states that the U-factor rating shall be displayed on the NFRC label as rounded to two decimals.
The sample labels confirm that the metric U-factor is not required to be rounded to the nearest 0.05 W/m2K as shown in Figures A-5 and A-9.
- The U-factor in those sample labels show a metric U-factor of 1.99 W/m2K and is confirmed to match the I-P (Imperial) value of 0.35 Btu/hr/ft2/F.
- The conversion is calculated, as required by NFRC 700, as 5.678263.
- This conversion is the value used by the laboratories when converting metric to I-P in their reports as well as the CPD 2.0 Upload Spreadsheet.
2. ANSI/NFRC 100 Spandrel
The purpose of this ballot is to add language to include the simulation of all spandrel panel systems to the NFRC program.
- The Spandrel Validation Task Group has met a few times to address all questions and negative comments from the NFRC Fall Membership Meeting in Charlotte in 2019.
- Previously, spandrel glass only was able to be simulated, which has always been a limitation to the NFRC program for commercial manufacturers of glazed wall systems.
- Research was conducted and presented at the NFRC Fall Membership meeting in Albuquerque in 2018 that proved that spandrel systems with interior opaque metal insulation panels can be simulated and backed up by validation testing.
- The conclusions of the research indicated that more than 63.5mm of glass edge is required and that 254mm of glazing edge shall be required for an accurate simulation.
- The simulation methodology shall be presented to TIPC for their review and approval and inserted into the Simulation Manual upon approval of ANSI/NFRC 100.
3. ANSI/NFRC 200 Equation 4-3
This correction to NFRC 200 will make any work done for the LEAFF program consistent with the calculations WINDOW has always used.
- During the work to move forward with the LEAFF program, it was discovered that the exterior heat transfer coefficient in Equation 4-3 was in error.
- The value of 30 W/m2K in the equation is for the winter conditions and the SHGC is calculated under summer conditions.
- The WINDOWS program from LBNL has always used the summer exterior heat transfer coefficient of 20.6 W/m2K.
4. ANSI/NFRC 200 Spandrel
This is the second ballot to add language to include the simulation of all spandrel panel systems to the NFRC program.
- Previously, spandrel glass only was able to be simulated and that has always been a limitation to the NFRC program for commercial manufacturers of glazed wall systems.
- Research was conducted and presented at the NFRC Fall Membership meeting in Albuquerque in 2018 that proved that spandrel systems with interior opaque metal insulation panels can be simulated and backed up by validation testing.
- The research findings indicated that more than 63.5mm of glass edge is required and that 254mm of glazing edge shall be required for an accurate simulation.
- The simulation methodology shall be presented to TIPC for their review and approval and then inserted into the Simulation Manual upon approval of ANSI/NFRC 100.
5. ANSI/NFRC 500
This ballot is to make further refinements to the new Condensation Index procedure and to also address some comments that came from NFRC's ANS Committee.
6. NFRC 501
This ballot is to change the reference to the distance the glass edge temperature is to be taken.
- All documents and the software tool referencing the Condensation Index shall have consistent language that the glass edge temperature shall be obtained at 25mm and not 25.4mm.
- Only section 1.2 of NFRC 501 is shown with Underline/Strikeout for balloting.
Research and Technology Committee
1. NFRC 101 Appendices
This ballot is intended to update the source references for the material properties listed in Appendices A and B and to update the properties based on those new references.
- This is a follow up to the ballot from the Virtual Spring Committee 2020 meeting.
- The changes marked in this ballot are the last remaining changes that had negative comments associated with them from the previous ballots.
- All other changes have been approved from the previous ballots.
Staff does not anticipate any additional document changes, no legal review, or additional cost for implementation. The default THERM materials library will be revised to incorporate the changed Appendices after final approval of the document.
- The implementation plan suggested by the task group is for the new appendices to be used no earlier than Jan. 1, 2021.
- Once implemented, the new data shall be used for all new certifications, revisions, and addenda to existing product lines.
- All existing product lines and products in the CPD at the time of implementation will be able to remain until the end of the certification cycle for that product line.
2. NFRC 101 Non-homogenous Spacer
This ballot revises Section 5.1.7.2 relating to conductivity measurements of non-homogeneous spacer samples. Four changes are proposed:
- An upper limit on the thickness of the foam rubber sheets.
- Test method revisions based on the laboratory equipment capability
- Specifying the removal of the contribution of the glass to the thermal resistance of the specimen
- Clarifying the reference to EN675.
To register to the Mid-Cycle Virtual Meeting, click here.
Tags:
ANSI
Ballots
fenestration
NFRC ratings
NFRC700
ratings
virtual meeting
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Posted By Adriana Vargas, National Fenestration Rating Council,
Monday, April 27, 2020
Updated: Tuesday, April 28, 2020
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A conversation with John Gordon
When he was an on-demand, round-the-clock information technology consultant, John Gordon knew that when a computer system went down, there was no waiting until tomorrow. That sense of urgency is real, and you don’t go home until the system is back online. Today, as the newly elected chairman of the NFRC Board of Directors, John embodies that same level of commitment to ensure the organization operates smoothly, without disruption.
After leaving IT, John transitioned to become the Simulation and Thermal Operations Manager and a certified simulator at National Certified Testing Labs based in York, PA. He oversees testing and ensures accurate ratings for product certification, which leads to certification labeling. His department is responsible for the NFRC testing, so it goes without saying that John knows the importance of the label. In his six years of being involved with NFRC, John’s held a variety of positions ranging from participating in task groups to leading committees to chairing working groups.
To mark the beginning of his tenure as board chairman, Michelle Blackston, senior director of communications and marketing, spoke with John about his vision for the board and the organization as well as goals he’d like to accomplish during his term.
What do you hope to accomplish while leading NFRC’s board of directors and overseeing the organization for the next two years? Also, talk about your leadership style and how you will set the direction for the future of NFRC.
It’s imperative that we continue stressing the importance of NFRC’s fair, accurate, and credible ratings for the growth of the organization, both in membership and for the widespread use of the NFRC ratings label. As board chair, I will also advocate for the use of NFRC ratings in the ever-expanding green building initiatives. This is especially vital for the health and betterment of the organization. Additionally, it bodes well for the fenestration industry overall, including our members.
I believe leadership is extremely important and so is the diversity of the board to have a voice. There are so many intelligent minds in the organization and on the board. Everyone has an opportunity to be involved with NFRC, and that’s the key to the success of the overall direction and health of the organization. I’m a big proponent of people getting involved and using their voice and vote to bring about change.
Over the last 30-plus years, NFRC has grown and evolved. What do you see as some of the biggest changes with NFRC? What is on the horizon for the organization and in the fenestration industry?
The movement in the organization to accredit the Product Certification Program (PCP) is extremely important for its long-term sustainability. I’ve seen a shift to be more open within the organization to embrace change such as in the new Linear Energy Analysis for Fenestration or LEAFF methodology.
From a high-level view, we need a better way to anticipate the pitfalls or the risks that lie ahead. We need some type of mechanism to determine risk and then capture, respond, and react. Ideally, we need to make ourselves immune to the risks.
Also, we need local and state code officials to rely on NFRC ratings. The ratings and the data that NFRC is known for and has expertise in must be a prominent part in the green building and wellness industries. Coming full circle, the more that starts to happen and the more exposure of the NFRC label, then there will be a drive for more companies to see the benefits of membership and being involved.
As for the industry, wellness and green initiatives are becoming more prominent along with the continued drive for more energy-efficient products. Both of those being in the discussion for net positive energy. However, we’re in a space and time where we’re asked to do more with less, which – before the Coronavirus and these stay-at-home orders – turns into more hours in the workspace. And the human element of comfort needs to be included in building facades and envelopes. Unless your building is actual brick and mortar there is no way fenestration can’t be a part of it.
What lessons have you learned from being involved in NFRC that you would share with young professionals just getting started in the fenestration industry?
Get involved. Be engaged. Listen. Actively participate—ask questions and offer ideas. NFRC is a great, well-rounded group of people and minds coming together to promote the advancement of energy efficiency, home and work environment comfort by way of fenestration products.
Through my time with NFRC, I’ve experienced tremendous technical growth and been able to connect and collaborate with some great individuals within the industry. As someone coming from a different sector or industry, I’ve been impressed by the minds in those meetings. There hasn’t been a meeting where I haven’t walked away without learning something or expanded my rolodex of people who I can call as a resource.
If you could do anything now (outside your current profession or role), what would you do?
I would be professionally involved in sports in some way. I’d love to be an advanced scout or working in the front office of a professional sports team. I like to play baseball and ice hockey, and I enjoy coaching baseball. Mostly, I just want to be outdoors, enjoying my time with nature.
Tags:
board of directors
chairman
green building
nfrc ratings
sustainability
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