Understanding Fenestration

Understanding Fenestration

The drop in oil prices is expected to have a dramatic effect on the overall cost of energy, raising several questions we should consider as we review fenestration energy performance: Will affordable energy effect America s demand for energy efficient fenestration? Is affordable energy here to stay? Other motivations for energy efficiency? How will our message change?

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) maintains the rating standards and certification program. U Factor: a measure of heat flow from inside to outside. Lower is better. Solar Heat Gain: a measure of radiant heat flow from outside to inside. Better depends on climate. Note: R Value = 1/ U Value

On October 30, 2015 the NFRC Board approved extending the NFRC product certification cycle from 4 years to 5 years. The change takes effect for all NFRC certifications (and re certifications) issued after March 1 st, 2016. This represents a 20% reduction in simulation & testing (or report re issue) costs to maintain NFRC certifications.

Our discussion focuses on requirements for residential construction & renovation. Residential is defined as single family houses, two family houses (duplexes) and buildings consisting of three or more townhouse units, all limited to three stories above grade. Multi family il construction, ti up 23 27% each year since 2010, could be IRC or IBC, depending on roof height > 30 feet.

BUILDING CODES Mandatory code compliance is required by state tt laws. Based on NFRC rating & certification. Enforced by building officials. Requirements typically defined by the International Residential Codes (IRC), revised every three years. Codes are typically adopted d state wide. ENERGY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS Optional compliance sells more products. Based on NFRC rating & certification plus ENERGY STAR certification. Programs run by federal, state & local governments, as well as public utilities.

Building Codes are typically adopted state wide. Local jurisdictions ( Building Departments ) can also adopt codes. Local jurisdictions and Building Officials are responsible for code enforcement. Enforcement of code specified fenestration energy performance requirements are inconsistent.

NH: 2009 IRC VT: No St wide Res ME: 2009 IRC PA: 2009 IRC NY: 2006 IRC MA: 2009 IRC RI: 2012 IRC CT: 2009 IRC NJ: 2015 IRC MD: 2015 IRC DE: No St wide Res VA: 2012 IRC A complete listing of code adoptions by state is available at: http://www.iccsafe.org/about icc/overview/international code adoptions/

2012 IRC, Section N1101.12.3: Fenestration Product Rating. U factors of fenestration products (windows, doors & skylights) kl shall hll be determined in accordance with NFRC 100 by an accredited dindependent d lb laboratory, and labeled and certified by the manufacturer. Products lacking such a lbld labeled U factor shall hll be assigned a default U factor from Table N1101.12.3. (Followed by similar language for SHGC.)

Frame Type Single Pane Double Pane Metal 1.20 0.80 Metal w/ Thermal Break 1.10 0.65 Non Metal or Metal Clad 0.95 0.55

PRESCRIPTIVE Compliance demonstrated by NFRC labeling. Simple, focuses on fenestration ratings. Unlimited glazed area. PERFORMANCE Only path available if using Default Ratings. Complex, requires wholehouse energy use comparison to standard reference design. Compliance demonstrated by Compliance Report generated by approved compliance software. Limits glazed area to 15% of floor area.

Based on Climate Zones Zone 6 U Factor Zone 5 Climate Zone 2009 2012 2015 4 0.35 0.35 0.35 Zone 4 5 0.35 0.32 0.32 6 0.35 0.32 0.32 Climate Zone SHGC 2009 2012 2015 4 NR 0.40 0.40 5 NR NR NR 6 NR NR NR

2012 IRC, Chapter 11 Energy Efficiency: Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to an existing building system or portion thereof shall conform to the provisions of this code as they relate to new construction Similar language in all revision years, storm windows are exempt.

ENERGY STAR is itself an energy incentive program and conformance is the basis for virtually every other energy incentive program. Tax credits used by government to promote energy efficient products that reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Rebates used by public utilities to promote energy conservation which is more responsible and less expensive than new power plants.

E* Spec V6 Northern Climate Zone requirements became effective Jan 1 st, 2016. w/ Air Leakage 0.3 cfm/ft 2 Effective Jan 1 2016! Note Code Compliant Wdws may not be E* Compliant!

The EPA is developing an ENERGY STAR specification for exterior & interior storm window products containing low e coated glass. The framework document suggests: low e storm windows reduce heating & cooling costs by 5 14%, versus storm windows w/o coated glass. Storm windows are installed in 500,000 homes / year. No certification or E* cited for low market adoption. Low e storm panel incremental payback 5 years.

Tax Credits Are Back! President Obama signed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 on December 18 th, effecting a broad range of provisions including the extension of the Section 25C residential energy property credit through 2016.

Windows & Doors must be ENERGY STAR. 10% of the amount paid for qualified energy efficiency home improvements up to $500. Limited to $200 for windows (BOO) and $300 for other building envelope components. Windows can be bundled with other improvements lk like entry doors or attic insulation for the maximum credit. Credit available lbl for tax years 2015 & 2016.

In 2015, the DOE s State Energy Program (SEP) offered up to $5 million to each state to develop innovative ways to boost energy efficiency. There are many regional incentive programs offered by states, local municipalities and utilities, most are ENERGY STAR based. The homeowner must be located in the state / municipality or a customer of the utility. Incentive Programs come and go. Is your sales team aware and making customers aware of all the current incentive programs in your market area?

http://www.efficientwindows.org/utilityincen i i /U ili tiveswindows.pdf fenestration focused, good examples include Mass SAVE $2000 rebate, and VA s Columbia Gas $1 / FT 2 rebate. http://www.energystar.gov/dime no programs currently listed for the Northeast. http://www.dsireusa.org/ maintained by NC State University, funded by the DOE. Allows browsing by state and filtering to isolate programs applicable to windows, doors, etc.

Questions? Thanks for the opportunity to provide this presentation today!