NFRC
NFRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that operates the only ANSI-accredited certification and labeling system for the energy performance of U.S. windows, doors, skylights, and commercial facades, serving 728+ fenestration manufacturers, code officials, architects, and consumers through its FenStar, CMAST, and Certified Product Directory programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersGreenbelt, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NFRC does
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Greenbelt, Maryland, with a remote-first staff of approximately 17. NFRC administers a voluntary, uniform rating, labeling, and certification system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls, and other fenestration products, and is the official certification body for ENERGY STAR residential windows, doors, and skylights through its FenStar program. Its core technology stack includes the Component Modeling Approach Software Tool (CMAST) for commercial fenestration, the Product Certification Management System (PCMS), the Certified Product Directory (CPD) listing 728+ participating manufacturers, and standardized documents (NFRC 100/200/400/500) covering U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, Air Leakage, and Condensation Resistance ratings.
NFRC operates an ANSI-accredited standards development process and works with accredited testing laboratories and inspection agencies to issue certified ratings and label certificates. Its product surface spans the Residential Certification Program, Commercial Certification Program (Standard Product Path and Custom Path), FenStar, CMAST, the Certified Product Directory, the Window Selection Tool (efficientwindows.org), and Commercial Label Certificates for project-specific documentation. Customer segments include fenestration manufacturers (primary), consumers and homeowners (via consumer tools), architects and specifiers, code officials, and window film manufacturers, served through self-serve online platforms, a members-only NFRC Community portal, and direct engagement with NFRC staff.
Revenue is generated through three subscription/annual streams: product certification fees (residential and commercial programs), membership dues from manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, consumer groups, building/code industry, scientific and educational organizations, and government agencies, and annual CMAST/CMA program fees for commercial fenestration tooling. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market combines a sales-led certification onboarding motion for manufacturers with product-led growth via consumer-facing tools (Window Selection Tool, CPD) that drive demand pull-through to certified products, while leveraging the ENERGY STAR partnership and code-official requirements as regulatory anchors.
NFRC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NFRC
- Legal name
- National Fenestration Rating Council
- Website
- https://nfrc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- NFRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that operates the only ANSI-accredited certification and labeling system for the energy performance of U.S. windows, doors, skylights, and commercial facades, serving 728+ fenestration manufacturers, code officials, architects, and consumers through its FenStar, CMAST, and Certified Product Directory programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NFRC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fenestration Energy Performance Certification
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)
Keywords
Where NFRC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Greenbelt
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NFRC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Product Certification Fees: Fees charged to manufacturers for certification of residential and commercial fenestration products through NFRC's certification programs.
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from participant organizations including manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, consumer groups, and other stakeholders.
- CMA Program Fees: Annual fees for use of the CMAST tool and Component Modeling Approach program for commercial fenestration certification.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Residential Product Certification |
| Subscription | Annual | Commercial Product Certification |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
NFRC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NFRC administers a voluntary, uniform rating, labeling, and certification system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls, and other fenestration products. Its core offerings are the Residential Certification Program and Commercial Certification Program, with the FenStar program providing the official pathway to ENERGY STAR certification. NFRC issues standardized labels covering U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, Air Leakage, and Condensation Index, and supports these programs with proprietary software tools (CMAST, PCMS, Certified Product Directory).
Product overview
NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) is a nonprofit certification body that administers a voluntary, uniform rating, labeling, and certification system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, and other fenestration products. The core offerings include the Residential Certification Program and Commercial Certification Program, with sub-brands like FenStar for ENERGY STAR certification. Key software tools include CMAST for Component Modeling Approach calculations, the Product Certification Management System (PCMS), and the Certified Product Directory (CPD) for searchable product ratings. NFRC provides standardized labels with U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, Air Leakage, and Condensation Resistance ratings, along with consumer tools like the Window Selection Tool. The organization is the official certification body for ENERGY STAR windows, doors, and skylights.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FenStar: ENERGY STAR certification pathway program for residential windows, doors, and skylights. NFRC is the official certification body for ENERGY STAR products through the FenStar Certification Program.
- CMAST
Products and services
- Residential Certification Program Independent third-party verification of energy performance for residential windows, doors, skylights, and window films. Evaluates U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, Air Leakage, and Condensation Index ratings.
- Commercial Certification Program Voluntary uniform rating, labeling, and certification system for energy performance of commercial fenestration products including curtain walls and large-scale projects. Includes Standard Product Path and Custom Path options, and generates project-specific commercial label certificates.
- FenStar Certification Program Official pathway to ENERGY STAR certification for residential windows, doors, and skylights. NFRC is the official certification body for ENERGY STAR fenestration products, providing objective third-party ratings that qualify products for ENERGY STAR certification.
- CMAST (Component Modeling Approach Software Tool) Online tool for non-residential fenestration energy certification and rating. Allows users to configure glazing, frame, and edge seal components into whole products, estimate whole product energy performance, and create project label certificates. Used by manufacturers and project teams for commercial certification.
- Certified Product Directory (CPD) Searchable database of NFRC-certified fenestration products. Allows users to search by manufacturer, product type, performance criteria (U-Factor, SHGC, VT), frame type, sash type, glazing layers, and other specifications. Used by consumers, builders, and specifiers to find certified products.
- Commercial Label Certificates Project-specific label certificates for commercial buildings that include address and contact information, certified ratings for U-Factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage. Generated via the Commercial Certificate Database.
- PCMS (Product Certification Management System) Online system for NFRC licensees to manage product certification, submit documentation, and track certification status.
Quantifiable outcome
- Products tested using precise, scientifically validated methods resulting in fair, accurate and credible ratings
Companies that use NFRC
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
NFRC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
NFRC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA)coreNFRC is the official certification body for ENERGY STAR windows, doors, and skylights. NFRC provides objective third-party ratings for energy performance, and products meeting ENERGY STAR requirements qualify for ENERGY STAR certification through NFRC's FenStar Certification Program.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
NFRC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NFRC social profiles
Digital presenceNFRC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
NFRC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NFRC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles27 records
NFRC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NFRC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NFRC
What does NFRC do?
NFRC administers a voluntary, uniform rating, labeling, and certification system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls, and other fenestration products. Its core offerings are the Residential Certification Program and Commercial Certification Program, with the FenStar program providing the official pathway to ENERGY STAR certification. NFRC issues standardized labels covering U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, Air Leakage, and Condensation Index, and supports these programs with proprietary software tools (CMAST, PCMS, Certified Product Directory).
Is NFRC a public or private company?
NFRC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was NFRC founded?
NFRC was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NFRC based?
NFRC is headquartered in Greenbelt, United States, in the North America region.
How does NFRC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Certification Fees are the primary driver. The others are membership Dues and CMA Program Fees.
Does NFRC have an API?
No public API is recorded for NFRC.
What industry is NFRC in?
NFRC's product category is Fenestration Energy Performance Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEAHAN, Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO). Its SIC code is 8734.