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