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October 2009 Vol. 12, No. 9

The Recession Ends

Economists, housing experts and remodeling professionals generally agree that the “Great Recession” is over.  Driving the new economy are improved housing starts, stabilizing home prices, low mortgage rates and available credit.  Combined with an advancing stock market, an inflation rate in check, an unlikely “double-dip recession” and the positive impact of the government stimulus programs, the future looks promising for the HPBA industries.
     This news bodes well for the long-term health of both the housing and remodeling sectors (now in a period of transition to recovery) per Don Johnson, HPBA director of marketing.  
     However, unlike other recessions, the unemployment rate may cause this recession to recover more slowly than similar past recessions.  Many experts pointed out that unemployment levels have started to slow, but most believe that around 10% of the overall workforce will be unemployed towards the middle of next year before employment starts to improve.  This may briefly stymie consumer confidence.
     While we may still hit bumps along the road, overall signs do point to a recovery. 
 
Capitol Hill Grassroots Visit

HPBA Board members will visit the Capitol Hill offices of several Members of Congress on Wednesday, November 4, following the HPBA Board of Directors meeting to discuss issues important to our industry (such as the $20 million stove replacement program in the House climate change/cap-and-trade legislation).  These meetings offer HPBA a tremendous opportunity to personally discuss the issues important to our industries and to educate elected officials and their aides.  The HPBA staff can also use these meetings to identify the elected officials who support (or oppose) our issues.

Standing Pilot Light Challenged

A code change proposal has been filed with the International Code Council (ICC) to modify the International Residential Code (IRC) and the new International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to ban the use of continuous pilot lights in any gas hearth product that uses a building permit after January 1, 2012.  The proposal was filed by a coalition of groups, including the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition and the Alliance to Save Energy, and would, if accepted, be in the 2012 version of the IRC.  New versions of the IRC are automatically adopted by most states in the U.S. HPBA strongly opposes these changes.  Tom Stroud, HPBA senior manager of codes and standards, spoke in opposition to this proposal at the October 27 hearings, as did Shannon Rogers of Jøtul USA.
     Manufacturers who wish to be updated on this issue are encouraged to confirm their contact information as a gas technical specialist with Nick Bian at bian@hpba.org.

NSPS Meeting Update

HPBA is preparing for a December 8-9 briefing in Denver for all manufacturers who are current on their NSPS assessments. On December 8, caucuses will be held in the afternoon and evening and a special meeting for pellet and corn appliance manufacturers will be held at 3:00pm.  A full briefing will be held December 9 from 8:00am – 2:00pm.  A $100 registration fee will be charged to help cover costs. Manufacturers current in their assessments will receive information soon.  For more information on assessments, contact Nick Bian at bian@hpba.org; for information or questions on the NSPS, contact John Crouch at crouch@hpba.org.
 
EPA Addresses NSPS Process

Although the complete U.S. EPA NSPS  review document will not be finished until mid-November, the EPA team has recently communicated to HPBA that they are still interested in: 1) Including all woodburning products, pellet, corn, furnaces, and possibly even fireplaces, 2) including efficiency testing and possibly a durability test method.
     EPA’s “passing grade” expectations as stated are “expect Washington State levels and voluntary (Hydronic Heater) Phase 2 levels immediately upon promulgation”; and, “expect tighter levels at reasonable times thereafter (may differ per product type).” 
     The EPA presentation is posted on the NSPS Portal at www.hpba.org for all member manufacturers who are current in their NSPS assessment payments.

ASTM Pellet Test Method Program

At the ASTM meetings in Atlanta on October 20, both Working Group 1 (dealing with the new test method for wood stoves), and Working Group 2 (creating a new test method for pellet and biomass fueled heaters) made good progress.  Both working groups are open to all interested manufacturers and are being staffed for HPBA by Bob Ferguson, an independent consultant.  For more information or to be placed on the email list for these groups, contact Bob at facomail@sover.net.
 
Clean Air in Libby - EPA Approved!

HPBA is excited to announce the final success of the Libby, Montana, wood stove changeout program.  Data for the most recent three years - 2006, 2007 and 2008 – proved the area was meeting the standard.  It is now an official attainment area.

HPBA Committee Activities

Communications

HPBA and EPA are partners in an education campaign to promote responsible wood burning.  The HPBA promotion, including a video, Burn Wise – A Video Guide to Operating Your Wood Stove Efficiently, can be viewed at www.hpba.org/responsible-wood-burning.  EPA’s campaign can be viewed at www.epa.gov/burnwise.

Goverment Affairs

Go to the updated www.hpba.org/government-affairs website to find information on current initiatives and more.

HPB Education Foundation/NFI

  • Handbooks for Building Officials have been updated and revised. The Gas Hearth Systems version now covers 1999-2009 editions of the International and National Fuel Gas Codes, and the Solid Fuel Hearth Systems version covers the 2000-2009 editions of the International Residential Code and the 2000-2006 editions of NFPA 211. Visit www.hpbef.org for more information or to place an order.
  • Expo Education Passports - NEW for 2010, 1-day passports! Attendees that don’t have the time to take advantage of the three days of seminars can now purchase a 1-day passport. Attendees that do purchase the 3-day passport will also receive a 30-day trial subscription to He@rth Online Training.  Visit www.hpbexpo.com for details and to purchase your 2010 Education Passports.

Industry Statistics

  • The North American love affair with the grill continues!  According to our 2009 Barbecue Consumer Survey, consumers are nearly 100% satisfied with their grills. Taste, simplicity and ease of cooking remain the top reasons consumers won’t part with their grills.  Plus, most folks - 56% of those surveyed - grill year-round.  You will find these sizzling statistics and more in the full report.  It and the grill and charcoal shipments data will be available to members in mid-November.  Please contact Don Johnson at johnson@hpba.org for your copy.
  • The second notice for the Quarterly Hearth Industry Survey and the Manufacturers’ Rep Survey have been distributed.  Please respond quickly.

Membership

  • The 2009-2010 Membership Directory & Products Guide is in its final stage of production and will be mailed to members in November. If you would like to order additional copies, please contact Antonio Jackson at jackson@hpba.org.
  • Keep a look out for the 2010 HPBA manufacturer dues renewal invoices. Invoices will be mailed the second week of November. For more information, please contact Antonio Jackson at (703) 522-0086 or jackson@hpba.org.

HPBExpo Report

HPBExpo Exhibit Space.  For booth availability, floor plans, contracts, rules and regulations, visit “Apply to Exhibit” at www.hpbexpo.com. For more information, contact Amy Jackson at amyjackson@hpba.org. The Exhibitor Service Manual will be available online this month.

Registration and Housing.  Register early to be eligible to win prizes! To learn more about all the prizes, contributors and contest rules, follow the Register Early and Win link: http://www.hpbexpo.com/pub/Register-Early-and-WIN.  Expo badge registration can be completed quickly and easily online at www.hpbexpo.com. Act now to reserve your rooms in the HPBA housing block.  Hotels closest to the Orange County Convention Center will be the first to fill up.  For hotel accommodations, locations and amenities in the Orlando HPBA housing block, log on to www.hpbexpo.com.

WARNING:  Third-Party Housing Solicitations.  Be wary of solicitations from unauthorized hotel and housing providers. HPBA has been notified that several hotel booking companies have been contacting exhibitors and claiming to be affiliated with HPBA. This is not true. HPBA’s official housing group is The Housing Connection based in Salt Lake City, and they will not contact you directly without you first making contact with them. Reservations can be made through HPBA by Internet, phone or fax as detailed above.

HPBExpo 30th Anniversary Reception.  HPBA and HPBExpo will celebrate their 30th anniversary on Thursday, March 11, 2010 in Orlando. An Expo-wide reception is planned for the indoor and outdoor show floors and a “Reception Activities Map” will be included in the Show Program Guide outlining participating exhibitors.  Exhibitors: If you are interested in participating with food, beverage or other giveaways in your booth, contact Kelly VanDermark at vandermark@hpba.org.

MyHPBExpo.  HPBExpo offers a new, complimentary show planning tool to help maximize your time before, during and after the show. When “time is money,” this an opportunity and a return on investment you can’t afford to miss.  Once registered, you can build an Event Plan and start bookmarking the companies, exhibitors and suppliers you want to meet and do business with at the show.  More data about the buying, networking and education opportunities at HPBExpo 2010, including companies and colleagues who are participating, as well as additional show planning tools, will become available as we get closer to show time.  Click http://hpbexpo.bdmetrics.com to register today!

Travel to HPBExpo.  With non-stop service available from more major U.S. cities than most other destinations in the country, Orlando International Airport accommodates more than 800 flights a day from over 30 airlines.  Be sure to book your flights now to ensure the best possible fare.

Orlando Discounts & Private Dining.  HPBExpo has partnered with Orlando Convention Aid to help you make the most of your time in fun-filled Orlando.  Orlando Convention Aid offers the best discounts for attractions, restaurants, golf, nightlife, transportation, shops and so much more. Go to http://www.orlandoconventionaid.com/hpbe.php to make your visit the best ever by using our website for discounts, dinner reservations, to book your customer event, or to purchase discount attraction tickets.

Discount Disney Tickets.  Discount tickets will be available to purchase for admission to Disney theme parks for pre- and post-show dates.  These tickets can be purchased by going to www.hpbexpo.com and clicking on the “Orlando Information” link on the left.

HPBExpo Online Networking.  Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @HPBExpo http://twitter.com/HPBExpo and look for HPBExpo on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/HPBExpo/182719555415

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