Friday, October 1, 2010

RESNET and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Enters Into Strategic Partnership to Promote Improvements in Home Energy Performance

RESNET and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together in promoting home energy performance in the U.S.

The major components of the MOU include: supporting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its implementation of the EnergyStar Qualified New Homes Program (Version 3; aimed at Homebuilders) and linking HVAC contractors and energy raters to undertake comprehensive home retrofits.

"We believe this partnership with RESNET will help position HVAC contractors for changing standards and pending legislation that may require residential energy audits," said ACCA President and Chief Executive Officer Paul T. Stalknecht.

RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden added, "It is exciting to develop new partnerships with contractors to help improve efficiency performance in the homes market. With the current uncertainties in Washington, it is timely to develop new private-sector alliances."

Thursday, September 16, 2010

RESNET Adopts Guidelines for Thermographic Inspections of Buildings

RESNET has broken new ground in performance testing by adopting the nation's first procedures for incorporating the thermographic inspections in the energy ratings and audits of buildings. The thermal imaging technology has advanced significantly in the past few years and the price of equipment has grown more affordable.

The guidelines provides guidance on the use of infrared thermography for the inspection of low rise, three stories or less, wood or steel frame, residential and light commercial buildings. The purposes of the guidelines are to:
  • Provide for the means by which raters and energy auditors can obtain a RESNET advanced certification in infrared thermography.

  • Provide inspection guidance in using infrared thermography for air intrusion and insulation inspections.

  • Provide a possible substitute for an insulation inspection on a new building where viewing of the insulation installation was not accomplished before the drywall was applied.


The guidelines includes information for:

  • Using an infrared imaging system to determine radiation differences associated with surface temperature variations of a building enclosure.


  • Determining whether the areas being viewed meet the specifications in The guideline and in the RESNET 2006 Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System Standards.

  • Documenting the type and extent of any observed anomalies,

  • Locating the primary areas needing further physical inspection,

  • Providing an indication of thermal insulation performance and continuity,

  • Indicating areas affected by air and convection when an infrared imaging system is used in combination with blower door operation.


The guidelines were drafted by the RESNET Infrared Scanning Task Force. The task force based the guidelines on existing ASTM and ISO thermographic standards as well as Canadian and United Kingdom standards.


It is the intent that RESNET will incorporate the guidelines into the RESNET national home energy rating standards when the work on developing the new chapter on performance testing is completed.


To download the standard visit here.


RESNET Adopts Guidelines for Combustion Safety Testing and

With the growing interest by consumers, utilities and governments in comprehensive retrofits the RESNET Board of Directors has adopted the "RESNET Interim Guidelines for Combustion Appliance Testing and Writing Work Scope".

The guidelines provides an opportunity for RESNET certified home energy raters and energy auditors to be trained and certified to undertake combustion appliance testing and writing a work scope as part of a comprehensive home energy retrofit.

An analysis by representatives of the board of directors and the technical committees of the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and RESNET found that the primary differences between a RESNET Home Energy Rater and a BPI Building Analyst was that the rater did not have training nor certification to undertake combustion safety testing nor developing work orders. The adoption of these guidelines addresses this gap.

These guidelines defines the procedures that home energy raters or energy auditors certified under RESNET's standards must follow in performing combustion appliance testing or writing work scopes for retrofits.

The guidelines recognizes the combustion safety and work order procedures adopted by BPI and the certification issued by BPI or an approved equivalent home performance certification program.

It is the intent that RESNET will incorporate the guidelines into the RESNET national home energy rating standards when the work on developing the new chapter on performance testing is completed.

RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden hailed the adoption of the guidelines "as an opportunity for home energy raters to expand their business opportunities to include the testing out and developing work scopes for retrofit efforts. This will position raters to participate in the Gold Star program if Home Star is passed by Congress."

To download the standard visit here.



Call for Nominations of 2011 RESNET Rating Industry Leadership Award

To recognize leadership in the rating industry RESNET has established the Rating Industry Achievement Awards. There are three categories in which you can nominate yourself or another organization:


RESNET Market Transformation Award
This award will be presented to the organization/rater that has made the most significant contribution to penetrating their housing market with rating services while maintaining the quality of the services.


RESNET Industry Innovation Award
This award will be presented to the organization that has developed and implemented the most innovative program or policy.

RESNET Program Leadership Award
This award will recognize the outstanding contribution a residential energy efficiency, building performance, or financing initiative has made to the rating industry.



The RESNET Rating Industry Achievement Awards will be awarded by the RESNET Board of Directors and presented at the 2011 RESNET Building Performance Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Applications/nominations are due to RESNET by Friday, November 26, 2010.
For more information and an application click on http://www.resnet.us/about/awards






Monday, March 29, 2010

Home Star Beginning to Move in Congress

Home Star is a proposed $6 billon rebate program for homeowners to improve the energy performance of their homes. The proposal is gaining momentum in Congress. Earlier this week the the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment completed its markup of the Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010 and passed the bill to the full House Committee on Energy and Commerce by voice vote.
On March 25 the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (S.3177) was introduced in the Senate. The Senate bill enjoys bipartisan support. It is sponsored by the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee (Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and cosponsored by Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Mark Warner (D-VA).
For more information on the proposed Home Star program click on http://www.resnet.us/homestar/default.htm

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tax Credits and Ratings, 2009.

RESNET has completed its survey on the number of tax credit verifications and ratings that were completed in 2009.

In 2009 97,495 homes were rated. This is down from 100,045 homes that were rated in 2008. But the reduction is not as great as the reduction in the number of homes built in the U.S. This means that while the housing market continues to dip the number of ratings is holding pretty steady.

The story is even better for the federal tax credit for new homes. In 2009 the numbers of homes verified as meeting the tax credit was 26,598. This is up from the 21,939 homes that were verified in 2008.

This demonstrates the effectiveness of the tax credit for energy efficient homes. While the housing market continues to be in a depression, more builders are seeing the economic value of building homes that are rated as high performing. It is appropriate that the extension of the tax credit has been approved by the U.S. Senate and awaiting approval by the House.

My congratulations to the nation's raters who have tirelessly worked with their builders to improve home performance even in these hard economic times.


Steve Baden
Executive Director
RESNET

Monday, February 1, 2010

2010 RESNET Conference Hotel Filled - Alternative Hotels Close to the Conference Hotel Posted

The 2010 RESNET Building Performance Conference will take place at the Hilton North Raleigh. The hotel is now filled. RESNET has secured a limited number of rooms at the Hyatt. You can call 919-877-9997 and use the group code RESN for a rate of $119/night. There are other hotel options close to the conference hotel to view these options click on http://www.resnet.us/conference/2010/hotel-alternatives.htm