CleanEdison: What is RESNET?

RESNET – HERS RATER TRAINING

DAY 1

SECTION 1:

WHAT IS RESNET?

2

Copyright 2010 CleanEdison Inc

RESNET

Non-profit organization

Established in 1995

Mission is to:

Set quality standards and maintain the system to

ensure standards for home energy ratings are

being met

Help to promote your business


RESNET Standards

Recognized for Accreditation of rating providers, rater training

providers, and rating software tools

Verification of energy savings for energy efficient mortgages (EEMs)

Verification of a home's energy performance for EPA's ENERGY STAR Homes Program and the Department of Energy’s Building America Program

Performance option for energy code compliance in 16 states

Verification of energy performance in state utility benefit program funded residential energy efficiency programs in 9 states


RESNET Levels of Auditing

Complexity

Basic level: Home Energy Survey Visual inspection

Does not use testing equipment

Takes about an hour

Building Performance Audit Visual inspection

Diagnostic testing

Takes 3-4 hours

Comprehensive HERS Rating Most in-depth

Includes computerized simulation analysis

Cost benefit analysis and Return on Investment calculations for recommended improvements

Performed by

HESPs – Home

Energy Survey

Professionals

Performed by

HERS Raters –

Home Energy

Rating System

Raters (what you’re

here to attain).


Home Energy Rating

Using construction plans, computer simulation

can be done prior to building to address areas

of needed efficiency improvements

Results in a projected HERS Rating

After construction, diagnostic tests performed.

Using both sets of inputs, the building’s HERS

Index is established

Provides a basis for comparing the relative

energy efficiency of homes


Projected and Confirmed Ratings

Projected rating Using architectural drawings and specifications of a

to-be-built home, or a site audit for a to-be-improved home Using the envelope leakage rate

And the distribution system efficiency

Orientation and location of the home

Confirmed rating Inspections during building process

Upon completion of construction, rated features are confirmed using on-site diagnostic tests and actual orientation of the home.


Reference Home

The HERS rating system compares the rated home with the reference standard home (which is of the same size and layout) on all of the aspects associated with energy usage.

The reference standard home is based on the minimum building requirement as defined by the International Energy Conservation code of 2006.

For conducting the rating and determining the home’s score, raters use a software simulation to compare the rating and reference homes.

1993 MEC, 2006 HERS


HERS Index

The HERS Reference Home sets the

standard at 100.

Homes that are more efficient than the

standard will score lower on the scale. For

each percentage point that the home in

question is more efficient than the reference

home, the home is rated 1 point lower on the

scale.Energy Star homes score

an 85 or lower (80 or lower

in Northern climate zones)

Builder’s

Challenge

homes score a

70 or lower


Using the HERS Index

What would the HERS Index be for a home that was 75% more efficient than the reference standard?

What about a home that was 25% less efficient than the reference standard home?


Star rating

HERS Index

Range

Stars Relative Energy Use

(with respect to

Reference Home)

=<500 and >401 =<500%and>401%

=<400 and >301 + =<400% and >301%

=<300 and >251 =<300% and >251%

=<250 and >201 + =<250% and >201%

=<200 and >151 =<200% and >151%

=<150 and >101 + =<150% and >1%

=<100 and >91 =<0% and >-9%

=<90 and >86 + =<-10% and >-14%

=<85 and >71 =<-15% and >-29%

=<70 and >=0 + =<-30% and >=-100%


RESNET HIERARCHY

Provider

Rater

Consumer

Consumer

Rater ConsumerAssures quality of new

raters

Evaluates performance


Steps to Becoming a Rater

Rater training Includes two supervised ratings

Pass the rater test

Mentorship period through an accredited Home Energy Rating Provider Includes at least three ratings

18 hours of professional development every 3 years Three options: Continuing Ed course through Training Provider

Attending a RESNET conference

Pass the rater test again


Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

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Why should the homeowner get an audit?

Saving money on bills

Increasing comfort

Increasing resale value

Improving marketability

Uncovering hidden

problems

Helping the environment

Take advantage of

government incentives

Investing in energy

efficiency measures gives

a great return on

investment


Rater’s Requirements

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You are required to:

Understand the basic principles of energy and learn to apply

these principles

Evaluate each of the minimum rated features established by

RESNET

Prepare a comprehensive HERS rating


Rater’s Requirements

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You are required to:

Provide relevant financing resources to clients, including local,

state, and federal incentives, tax credits, rebates, and programs

available to assist homeowners in making energy efficiency

improvements

Educate building occupants about no-cost opportunities for

energy savings – primarily behavior and lifestyle changes


What is ENERGY STAR?17

A program sponsored by the US Department of Energy

and the EPA that identifies and promotes energy-efficient

products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

(This includes homes).

CleanEdison: What is RESNET?

Technology

Transcript of CleanEdison: What is RESNET?