October 7, 2014

Industry News & Announcements

>>CPI Announces Major Milestone for Safety in the Spray Polyurethane Foam Industry
Source: americanchemistry.com
The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council has reached a major milestone in its ongoing efforts for continuous improvement of health and safety in the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) industry.

More than 10,000 SPF professionals have completed CPI’s High Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training program. The interactive training program provides information about the use, handling and disposal of chemicals used to manufacture SPF. The training program, which is also supported by the Spray Foam Coalition, includes information about best practices for engineering controls and personal protective equipment. CPI also provides a similar training program for low-pressure SPF for weatherization professionals.

Launched in 2010, the High Pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety Training satisfies one prerequisite toward completing the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance’s Professional Certification Program. Offered in English and Spanish, this self-paced training is designed to be taken online or in a classroom setting, so it is possible for registered instructors to conduct their own training sessions in person. Read more here.

>>EPA Launches ENERGY STAR Community Service Tour

Source: energystar.gov
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is kicking off its first national ENERGY STAR Change the World through Community Service Tour, bringing together public and private organizations in communities across the country to make a positive difference in people’s lives through energy efficiency-related community service projects.

Upcoming tour stops will be in Baltimore, Md.; San Francisco, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Orange, Calif.; and Phoenix, Ariz., and culminating on ENERGY STAR Day, Oct. 28, in Phoenix. EPA is leveraging the tour to inspire others to consider what they can do to make a difference through energy efficiency, to share their "stories of positive energy," and take the ENERGY STAR Pledge at energystar.gov/pledge in celebration of ENERGY STAR Day.

>>Budget Breakdown: A Look at House and Senate Energy Efficiency Appropriations

Source: ase.org / Reed Brown

In June, both the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations developed and released their own recommendations for the FY2015 federal budget. Among other focus areas, the Energy and Water Development Subcommittees in both chambers have the authority to determine the budget for the Department of Energy (DOE), which includes the majority of the provisions relating to energy efficiency through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Read more here.

>>ASHRAE in the House: Society Explores Path Toward Involvement in Residential
Source: ashrae.org
When it comes to energy, the residential sector consumes a fifth of all the primary energy used by the United States (21 percent) and more than half (54 percent) of all energy used by buildings. Similar trends are also observed in other parts of the world. For example, in Europe, residential buildings account for 75 percent of the total building stock and are responsible for 26.2 percent of the total European Union final energy consumption in 2012. Those figures reflect big energy use. They also present big opportunities for sustainability. Read more here.

>>DOE Determination of Energy Savings for Commercial Buildings; Correction of State Certification Deadline
Source: energy.gov
On September 26, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an affirmative determination regarding ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013 (79 FR 57900). The original notice published in the Federal Register included an incorrect date by which States are required to submit certifications. DOE has corrected this date to September 26, 2016.

More information surrounding DOE building energy code determinations is available at www.energycodes.gov/determinations.

>>Webinar: "Proactive Transactions: Selling Energy Efficiency Equipment"

Source: bpi.org

Contractors of any size can help their customers (and their own operations) by selling high efficiency equipment and services. To be successful, contractors must have a firm grasp on interpersonal communications, including the ability to explain the benefits, share expertise, and guide customers to their decision.

This two-part course, featuring Kevin Farrell, Director of Training Services, Conservation Services Group, will introduce you to practical communication techniques and strategies that contractors can use to build positive, trusting relationships with their customers, while increasing sales of high energy efficiency equipment and other services. These webinars are free for BPI GoldStar Contractors, $50 for all others. Approved for up to 1.5 BPI CEUs per webinar.

Part 1 - October 21 @ 3 p.m. EDT

Click here to register.

Part 2 - October 23 @ 3 p.m. EDT

Click here to register.

>>A "Seal" to Publicize the Spray Foam Coalition’s Commitment

Systems house members of the Spray Foam Coalition (SFC) now can widely publicize their commitment to product stewardship and product safety. In August, the SFC developed a new seal memorializing company commitment to the Coalition’s Code of Conduct. The Code is an annual commitment signed by each systems house member of SFC and represents a company’s pledge to promote worker and public health and safety with respect to its products. All sixteen SFC systems house members signed the Code earlier this year. The seal is a distinguishing mark for SFC members in the insulation industry. For more information on the Code of Conduct, visit the website or contact Justin Koscher, (202) 249-6617.

>>Lapolla Industries Partners With White House to Reduce Harmful Greenhouse Gases and Fight Climate Change

Source: lapolla.com

At a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in September, The White House announced Lapolla Industries, Inc. as an official private sector partner of the President’s Climate Action Plan, recognizing the company’s efforts to curb the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Lapolla will transition its entire product line of foam and coating systems to no longer use high-GWP HFCs by 2016. Lapolla will also provide more than 18 seminars on the importance of eliminating high-GWP HFCs from the environment.

This commitment follows Lapolla’s recent announcement that they have become the first manufacturer globally to offer a third party tested and approved wall foam system that uses the Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent. Lapolla achieved this fourth generation benchmark while working closely with Honeywell to incorporate the Solstice® LBA, a next-generation blowing agent from Honeywell. Read more here.

>>Airflow 100: A Review of Air Velocity Testing Methods

Source: bpi.org

Industry studies have shown that 70% of residential systems have improper airflow. Airflow measurements are among the most daunting tasks in the industry, During this free webinar -- Tuesday, October 21, 11 a.m. (EDT)-- learn the wide variety of measurement methods and the benefits of each. Dig into the science behind good airflow measurement, as well as the importance of considering air density corrections. The ins and outs of picking the correct tool for the measurement task or application will also be covered. Click here to register. Earn up to 1 BPI CEU.