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DIRECT ENERGY
ENERGY RATER TRAINING
HOUSTON ~ NORTHWEST ~ KATY, TEXAS
BASIC HERS COURSE

Dates: Thurs. 24th, Fri.25th, Sat.26th
Tues. 29th, Wed. 30th, Thurs.1st
Times: 8:00~5:00~1 hour lunch
Cost: $1,495 ~ includes testing fee
(Lunch is not included)
Location: Direct Energy Training Facility
1133 South Mason Road
Katy, Texas 77450
Lodging: Comfort Suites
281-392-8700
Ask for Direct Energy
Special Room Rates!
To Register: Contact Terry Collins at 214-796-9931 and/or
terry.collins@directenergy.com
To Pay: Contact Bill Chan at 713-690-8800
and/or bill.chan@resservices.com

This course will educate the class attendees in Green Building Science, Houses as a Complete System, Energy Ratings, and Best Building Practices. This six-day training will include classroom and field instruction and will prepare the student for the national HERS RATER test given by RESNET. Using proven innovative training techniques, the course will provide the students with the necessary skills and knowledge base needed to pass the national HERS RATER test which is given at the end of the course. And, the percentage of our students that pass the test is much higher that the national rate. Attendees will be trained how to use Blower Door and Duct Leakage diagnostic equipment, and they will also be trained how to conduct energy ratings and audits on new and existing houses. Students will receive a working copy of RESNET approved rating software and will be taught how to use it for energy ratings and audits. Also, each trainee will receive a textbook and CD of the course.

Attendees will need to bring to class; a laptop computer with wireless capabilities running Windows XP or better, a USB jump drive, a calculator, highlighters, an architect scaled ruler, a clipboard, red and black pens, and graph paper. Also, attendees should bring a hard hat, a 35ft.measuring tape, a compass, a flashlight, and a digital camera.

Joseph DiGangi
16 Smithfield Rd., Whippany NJ 07981
201-207-3724
Jdigangi1977@verizon.net
________________________________________
OBJECTIVE To find a position within your company that will enable educational and professional growth within the Industry.

• Home Performance Administrator & Auditor working with the Home Performance with Energy Star Program.
• Residential sales of HVAC products & solutions.
• Wireless communications Administrator.
CURRENT JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Windows®, Microsoft Word & Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint®, Outlook and Microsoft Works; Servman, WrightSoft, Home Check (Performance Program),Blackberry servers.
EXPERIENCE
Air Group LLC. (1999 to Present)

 Installation of HVAC Systems
 HVAC Service Technician
 Service Coordinator
 Equipment & Parts purchasing & inventory
 Computer & Phone Management
 Vendor Relations
 Logistic Coordination
 Communication & Billing review & execution
 Program implementation & maintenance

Polar Air Inc. (1996-1999)

 Installation of HVAC Systems
 Sheet metal fabricator

EDUCATION

 Computer Learning Center
 EPA Certification (Universal)
 Ward Flex Gas Piping Certification
 BPI Certification (Building Performance Institute). Certified Building Analyst & Building Shell Specialist.
 NATE Certification (National American Technicians of Excellence)

 ACCA North Jersey (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

GREEN BUILDING BASICS WORKSHOPS and PROGRAM ORIENTATIONS
by the NC Solar Center’s High Performance Buildings Team

July 20-23, 2010 – Catawba College Center for the Environment, Salisbury, NC
FOR MORE INFORMATION and to REGISTER, VISIT THE NC SOLAR CENTER’S CALENDAR: http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/ncsc_calendar.php
Questions? Please contact jlstutzm@ncsu.edu

July workshop topics:
7/20 AM – Integrated Design & Building Science Concepts
7/20 PM – Building Envelope & ENERGY STAR
7/21 AM – Passive Solar
7/21 PM – HVAC & Indoor Air Quality
7/22 AM – Renewables
7/22 PM – Site & Water
7/23 AM – NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program Orientation
7/23 PM – LEED for Homes Program Orientation

The following is a set of recommended changes to Chapter 7 of the proposed RESNET standard. Please see comments at the very bottom.

{{A paraphrase of my thesis advisor: “Do not write an IQ test, make it easy for your reader to understand you.” Myron Katz}}

Date: May 3, 2010
RESNET Accreditation Application Process
Proponent: RESNET National Energy Audit Standards Working Group
Proposed Changes:
Chapter Seven – RESNET National Standards for Home Energy Audits
Remove in entirety and replace with:

Chapter Seven

RESNET Standards
700 RESNET NATIONAL STANDARD FOR HOME ENERGY AUDITS

701 GENERAL PROVISIONS

701.1 Purpose
The provisions of this Standard are intended to define a framework for a home-energy-audit process. A certified auditor, an accredited Provider and/or a program will apply this Standard to improve the energy performance of existing homes through uniform, comprehensive home energy surveys, audits and ratings for existing residential buildings. This Standard is intended to result in investments by building owners that produce the following outcomes:
• Improve the health of the inhabitants (reduce mold, pests, provide a healthy indoor air environment)
• Ensure the safety of homes ( check combustion appliances, decrease propensity of damage resulting from fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados & earthquakes)
• Increase the comfort of homes;
• Increase the durability of homes
• Decrease the energy consumption of homes
• Establish protocols that enable the auditor to describe the problems and solutions addressed by the audit in a manner understandable, comprehensive and responsive to the client’s needs, the reasons for the recommendations and to those of the contractors who will implement the improvements with adequate specificity to correctly implement them.
• Ensure that energy improvement recommendations are portrayed with reasonable and consistent projections of energy savings;
• Reduce the risk that energy improvement recommendations will contribute to health, safety or building durability problems; and
• Reduce waste and pollution; thereby protecting the environment.
• Ensure that the recommendations are within the community standards – example: historic districts, flood zones, subdivision covenants, etc.

701.2. National Standard for Home Energy Audits.
There are 3 categories of existing-home performance assessments defined in this standard:
1. Home Energy Survey
a. On-Line Home Energy Survey
b. Professional Home Energy Survey
2. Building Performance Audit
3. Comprehensive HERS Rating

701.3 Relationship to Other Standards
This Chapter is a companion Chapter to the 2006 RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System Standard as promulgated and maintained by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and recognized by the mortgage industry and programs promoting the improved energy performance of buildings.

701.4 Relationship to State Law
This Standard specifically recognizes that some state laws or regulations have additional requirements to those specified in this document. To the extent that such state laws or regulations differ from these Standards, state law or regulation must govern.

701.5 Scope
This Home Energy Audit Standard will address RESNET Providers for each area of home inspection, applicable procedures, types of home inspections, certifications of the inspectors, summary of requirements for each type of inspection and the reports to accompany each type of inspection.
701.5.1 Application of Standards
This Standard applies to existing site-constructed or manufactured, single- or multi-family, residential buildings three stories or less in height.

Introductory Definition

RESNET Home Energy Audit or Assessment (RHEA) is any one of Home Energy Survey (HES), Building Performance Audit (BPA) or Comprehensive Home Energy Rating (CHER) — listed in order of increasing accuracy and completeness. Visual examination and measurement of the home as built is the first step for auditing; BPA and CHER exceed HES since they require air-leakage performance, combustion safety and other tests. Although all RHEA versions produce a list of recommended improvements, BPA and CHER must report a formalized “work scope” that completely specifies what should be done. A CHER exceeds a BPA in only one way: a CHER also includes an Energy Rating. RHEA’s goals are stated in 701.1.

702 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

Auditor – for the purpose of this document an “auditor” is generic name for either a Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) or Building Performance Auditor (BPA) and is distinguished from a certified “Rater” who may be a HERS Rater or a Comprehensive HERS Rater. {I have a problem with this hierarchy of terminology since it implies that a Rater is superior to an Auditor within the scope of work done by an auditor. In fact, raters are grossly under-trained just to do ratings since (s)he will not be reasonably competent after a week of in-class training nor after a few probationary ratings to merely collect data and input those into software. To become a vaguely competent rater probably takes at least 10 ratings done as an apprentice. This means that we can make a reasonably competent rater in about 200 hours of training and experience. However, it takes about ten times that long to become a competent, stand-alone auditor and that is experience/expertise probable needs some repetition FOR EACH CLIMATE ZONE.}

Building Performance Audit —Second to the highest level of the RESNET Home Energy Audit, a Building Perfomance Audit includes the evaluation, diagnosis and testing of an existing-home’s normalized-use performance and the generation of a prioritized work scope for cost-effective energy-saving measures and features that are intended to enhance but, in any case, do not compromise any of the goals given in 701.1.

Building Performance Auditor (BPA) — An individual who is certified by a RESNET accredited Home Energy Audit (HEA) Provider to conduct the evaluation, diagnosis and testing of an existing home’s performance and provide a prioritized work scope, consistent with 701.1, for cost-effective energy-saving measures and features to the homeowner. Analyzing the house-as-a-system, a BPA must consider regionally-specific building science, air quality issues, local pest infestations, local soil conditions, persistent and potential local climate, the interaction between heat and moisture flows and envelope/shell evaluations in order to generate a set of cost-effective energy-saving measure recommendations and a work scope document that specifies exactly what should be done to implement those measures.

BPA Trainer – A individual certified by RESNET as competent to teach HESP and BPA course curricula and whose certification is obtained by having passed a 100-question BPA Trainer exam with a minimum score of 90% and teaches under the auspices of a RESNET accredited HEA-Training Provider.
Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) — Any area within a house containing a combustion appliance that can be closed off from a central area or corrider (hallway). {So this usually does nor does not include the fireplace? It would in a bedroom but not in most living rooms when used for “home heating”.}

Comprehensive HERS Rater (CHERS Rater) — An individual who is certified by an accredited HERS Provider to inspect, diagnose and test an existing-home in order to evaluate each of the minimum rated features established by RESNET {{citation needed for where this term is defined in this or some other standard}}, prepare a HERS rating according to Chapters One and Three of the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards {{as I recall, that standard does not use the term “comprehensive”}} and provide a prioritized work scope for cost-effective energy-saving measures and features to the homeowner that persue and do not compromise any of the purposes given in 701.1. (A certified Comprehensive HERS Rater is also qualified to perform HERS Ratings on new homes. A HERS Rater is qualified to perform ratings on both new and existing homes but cannot perform the Comprehensive HERS Rating until completing additional training as required by RESNET.)

Comprehensive HERS Rating – The highest level of the RESNET Home Energy Audit, the Comprehensive HERS Rating (CHER) includes 1) the evaluation, diagnosis and testing of the minimum rated features established by RESNET, 2) the preparation of an energy rating according to Chapters One and Three of the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards and 3) provision to the homeowner a prioritized work scope for cost-effective energy-saving measures and features that pursue and do not compromise any of the purposes given in 701.1. {{I don’t understand the distinction between this audit level and that provided by a BPA. At this point, the reader is confused — there clearly is a difference in the terminology but not so clearly a difference in the meaning. Unless a CHER is not really an audit even though it smells like one! On the other hand, perhaps the distinction is that a BPA need not consider the all of the minimum rated features of a home. But if that is the case, THE IMPLICATION IS THAT there is something fundamentally wrong with THE DEFINITION OF a HERS rating, since it would mean that a BPA can represent a quality audit of a home even though it does not consider all of what RESNET considers minimal.}}

Data Collection — The gathering of information on building-energy features, energy-use history and other relevant building and building operation information.

Diagnostic Testing — The use of building performance-testing equipment (e.g. blower door, duct tightness testing, flow measurements, infrared cameras, thermometers, optical cameras, radiant energy flow meters, heat flow meters, combustion analyzers, CO monitors, moisture meters, uv meters, etc.) to measure, assess and document specific building performance characteristics.

Energy-Saving Measure or Feature — Any material, component, device, system, construction method, process or combination thereof that will result in cost-effective reduction in end-use energy consumption or that will protect the home pursuant to the goals of 701.1 so that aggressive pursuit of energy conservation does not cause ancillary problems.

Evaluation — An analysis of the data collected from any survey or audit, on-site data collection, performance testing or available energy-usage records to determine potential savings from improvements.

HEA Provider — See Home Energy Audit Provider

HEA Training Provider — An organization accredited by RESNET to provide Home Energy Audit (HEA) training courses (including Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) or Building Performance Auditor (BPA) curricula) and proctor HESP or BPA exams. A HEA-Training Provider may not provide HERS Rater Training unless also certified as a HERS Training Provider.

HERS — Home Energy Rating System. {{Provide a definition by reference to the appropriate standard.}}

HERS Index — An integer value produced in a Home Energy Rating that represents the relative energy use of a Rated Home as compared to the energy use of the HERS Reference Home, and where an Index value of 100 represents the energy use of the HERS Reference Home and an Index value of 0 (zero) represents a home that uses zero net purchased energy. {{Provide a definition by reference to the appropriate standard.}}

HERS Provider — An organization accredited by RESNET in accordance with section 102 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards to develop, manage and operate a home energy rating system.

HERS Rating — An unbiased indication of a home’s relative energy performance based on consistent inspection procedures, operating assumptions, climate data and calculation methods in accordance with the “National Energy Rating Technical Standards” (Chapter 3 of this Standard).

Home — A building with one or more dwelling units that has three or less {{notice that we often run across 1 and ½ story homes}} stories above grade, or a single dwelling unit within a building of three or less stories above grade. {{Under this definition, a “home” can be an apartment or condo within a building otherwise devoted to pure governmental, medical, commercial or industrial purposes — as long as that building is less than 3 stories. Is that what you want?}}

{The following items are not in strict alphabetical order.}

Home Performance Assessment — Defined by this standard is one of three levels of energy assessment of a home; these are the: Home Energy Survey, Building Performance Audit and Comprehensive HERS Rating. {{The reader at this point might be thinking that the order of these “assessments” implies increasing “audit” value, quality or reliability. If that is the case, why not state this to help educate the reader instead of keeping him guessing.}} The list following the word “including” has three items in it not including HPA, but the clause preceding “including” tells the reader to understand that there are three items on this list including HPA!

Home Energy Rating System or HERS® — The materials and procedures needed to operate a home-energy-rating program; these include, but are not limited to: marketing materials, training materials, publications, rating software, quality-control system, data collection and maintenance systems, agreements, data collection sheets, homeowner reports and other related materials and services.

Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) — A national program contracted for by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE), that offers a (highly, northeast-US, regionally-specific kind of) “comprehensive”, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort of homes, while maintaining or improving safety; for example: as it is currently is rolling out, it does not adequately handle the needs of homes in hot and humid climates.

Home Energy Audit (HEA) Provider — An organization accredited by RESNET in accordance with Section 703.1.2 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards to certify individuals to perform Home Energy Surveys or Building Performance Audits in compliance with this standard. The HEA Provider is also tasked to maintain the quality assurance of the Home Energy Audit process. If providing certifications for Building Performance Auditors, compliance with Section 703.2.5 is also required.
Home Energy Survey — The least comprehensive and accurate kind of RESNET Home Energy assessments is the Home Energy Survey (HES). A HES will take one of two forms: a computerized On-Line Home Energy Survey implemented by an owner or occupant, or a Professional Home Energy Survey conducted onsite by a certified Home Energy Survey Professional.

Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) — An individual certified by an accredited Home Energy Audit (HEA) Provider to conduct onsite Professional Home Energy Surveys.

Home Energy Survey (HES) Software — computerized procedure approved by RESNET or the U.S. DOE for entering data collected as part of a Professional Home Energy Survey or DOE home energy labeling program and generating a report for the homeowner. HES software does not have the ability to do home-performance modeling or specific energy-savings calculations. {{What does this mean? What kind of calculation can it do if not energy-savings calculations?}}

On-Line Home Energy Survey — A basic energy review of a home using an Internet-based tool or other software where data observation, collection and entry are implemented by the homeowner a person he designates (like the manager of an apartment complex) or the home occupant. {May a landlord do this? If not, why not?}

Professional Home Energy Survey — A level of the RESNET Home Energy Assessment process defined by this standard intended to superficially assess both the general energy performance of the home and the level of the commitment to action on the part of the homeowner. The survey will include data collection by a home energy survey professional for the purposes of 1) further analysis 2) general identification of home-performance problems and 3) identifying motived and economically capable homeowners / occupants. (Primarily or exclusively?) The intent of the energy survey is to potentially escalate or qualify the homeowner’s interest and commitment to the next level of audit, particularly if it is determined that the home needs further analysis and the homeowner may be adequately motivated and economically empowered to invest in improvements.

Performance Testing — Testing conducted to evaluate the performance of a system or component using specified performance metrics. 1) This includes the use of any meter, IR camera or the like that exceeds visual observation capabilities without such tools, e.g. performance testing excludes the simple use of a tape measure or a standard digital camera. Via this definition, the use of a tool that measures the SHGC measures performance. {{Another interpretation of this can be 2) the use of manometers or IR cameras under the conditions of induced pressures created by a blower door or a duct-fan pressurization device. Which one do you mean? On the cusp of this distinction may be this test: what kind of test is a Total Duct Leakage test; which only requires the use of the home’s own air-handling unit and a manometer?}}

Performance Software – A computerized procedure for conducting an analysis and reporting on proposed energy-savings measures and developing an appropriate work scope that is either approved by DOE, accredited by RESNET or specified by a HPwES sponsor or similar program. {{This is also confusing. Tectite™ is quite valuable to help orchestrate and calculate the Performance Testing (mentioned just above) data but it should not be utilized to calculate energy losses/savings associated with its results. The problem of interpretation of “Performance Software” is further challenged by the fact that RemRate™ does not do an adequate job of considering either the full range of potential improvement opportunities or their integrated costs. So RemRate’s ability to generate a scope of work is close enough to competent-appearing to confuse novice energy raters into thinking that RemRate’s Improvement Analysis results are good, much less, good enough.}}

Rating Software – A computerized procedure that is accredited by RESNET for the purpose of conducting home-energy ratings and calculating the annual energy consumption, annual energy costs and a HERS Index score for a home. {According to what standard?}

RESNET – Residential Energy Services Network

RESNET Qualified Contractor – A home performance contractor who has been qualified by RESNET to perform some of the home performance improvement work in concert with a Building Performance Auditor or Comprehensive HERS Rater and in compliance with work scope requirements defined in the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard. {I don’t see why an AC contractor and an insulation contractor cannot be uniquely and separately certified to do what they know how to do individually without imposing on the client the expense of having another contractor to supervise the whole job.}

RESNET Home Energy Audit (RHEA) is any one of HES, BPA or CHER — listed in order of increasing completeness and accuracy. Evaluation of the home as built is the first step for all of these audits; BPA and CHER exceed HES since they require air-leakage performance, combustion safety and other tests. All of versions RHEA produce recommendations for improvements report; but BPA and CHER must report a formalized “work scope” that completely specifies what should be done. A CHER exceeds a BPA since it includes an Energy Rating as well. The goals RHEA’s are stated in 701.1.

Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard – A Standard promulgated by Texas HERO (www.txhero.org) and approved by the RESNET Board of Directors May 4, 2009, as an equivalent home performance certification program.

703 HOME ENERGY AUDIT PROVIDER AND BUILDING PERFORMANCE AUDIT

PROVIDER ACCREDITATION CRITERIA

703.1 Home Energy Audit (HEA) Provider and Building Performance Audit (BPA) Provider
Both a HEA and a BPA Provider must be accredited in accordance with the following provisions.

703.1.1 A Provider must be accredited by RESNET as specified in Section

703.1.2 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards.

703.1.2 Home Energy Survey Professional and Building Performance Auditor Certification Standards. Certification and recertification of Home Energy Survey Professionals (HESPs) and Building Performance Auditors (BPAs) must be associated with HEA Providers, who must abide by the following provisions:

703.1.2.1 A Home Energy Audit (HEA) Provider must provide documentation that their HESPs and/or BPAs under their umbrella meet the following certification provisions:

703.1.2.1.1 Performance Evaluation. A prospective auditor must pass a performance evaluation which confirms the ability to perform accurate Home Energy Surveys and/or Building Performance Audits in accordance with sections 704 and 705. Each HESP and BPA must complete a probationary period where close supervision is provided by the Home Energy Audit Provider’s QA designee. The probationary period covers a minimum of three Home Energy Surveys and/or Building Performance Audits (as applicable) after which the QA Designee must determine if additional training is needed.

703.1.3.1.2 Continuing Education. HESP’s must have 12 hours of RESNET-approved continuing education and/or training units for every three-year period of that business’s operation. BPA’s must have 16 hours of RESNET-approved continuing education and/or training units for every three-year period.

703.1.3.1.3 Testing. All certified HESPs must have passed the national Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) online test administered by RESNET with a score of at least 75%. Each certified BPA must have passed the national Building Performance Auditor (BPA) online test with a minimum score of 80% administered by RESNET and pass any additional field evaluations to determine competency to perform air-leakage and building-pressurization diagnostics and combustion-safety procedures as required in Chapter Eight RESNET Standards. Besides for the national test, each HESP and BPA must pass regionally-specific tests to be certified to work in the specific climate zone, building stock, rainfall area, etc — as appropriate.

703.1.3.1.4 Recertification of individuals by the HEA Provider must occur every 3 years.

703.1.3.1.5 Agreements. As a condition of certification, each HEA and BPA Provider must ensure that each certified individual enters into a written agreement with the Provider to provide the applicable field-verification services in compliance with these standards. An unexecuted copy of the written agreement must be provided to RESNET with the Provider’s accreditation application and again within 60 days of making changes to the agreement. The written agreement must, at a minimum require Auditors to:

703.1.3.1.5.1 Provide audit-verification services in compliance with these standards;

703.1.3.1.5.2 Provide accurate and fair Professional Surveys or Audits; and

703.1.3.1.5.3 Comply with the RESNET Code of Ethics. The RESNET Code of Ethics must be attached to the written agreement.

703.1.4 Minimum Standards for HEA and BPA Provider Operation Policies and Procedures must be submitted in written form to RESNET for approval, and must at a minimum provide for the following:

703.1.4.1 Written conflict-of-interest provisions that prohibit undisclosed conflicts of interest, but may allow waiver with advanced disclosure. The “Standard Disclosure” form adopted by the RESNET Board of Directors must be completed for each home that receives a Home Energy Survey or Building Performance Audit and must be provided to the client and made available to the homeowner. Each form must accurately reflect the proper disclosure for the home that it represents. For the purpose of completing this disclosure, “Auditor’s employer” includes any affiliate entities. Recognizing that a number of different relationships may exist among the auditor or the auditor’s employer, other contractors that may complete work on the home, and the survey client and/or homeowner, the HEA and BPA Provider must ensure that all disclosures are adequately addressed by the Provider’s quality assurance plan, in accordance with the relevant quality assurance provisions of the standards.

703.1.4.2 Written Auditor discipline procedures that include progressive discipline for probation, suspension and decertification.

703.1.4.3 A written audit-quality-control process including, at a minimum the following:

703.1.4.3.1 HEA-Provider Quality Assurance Designee

703.1.4.3.1.1 A HEA Provider must designate an officer, employee or contractor to be responsible for quality assurance within the organization. This definition does not prohibit a BPA Quality Assurance Designee from having a qualified certified BPA perform the required quality-assurance file-review functions. The responsibilities of the designee must include:

703.1.4.3.1.1.1 Maintenance of quality-assurance files

703.1.4.3.1.1.2 Review of audits during the auditor’s probationary period

703.1.4.3.1.1.3 Monitoring of Surveys and Audits performed

703.1.4.3.1.2 The designated officer, employee, or contractor responsible for quality assurance for Home Energy Audit (HEA) Providers must demonstrate sufficient experience with the knowledge base and skills given in Section 705.1 of this Standard to review the work of certified Auditors. Proof of qualification must be submitted with an application for accreditation. Sufficient experience must be demonstrated by either of the following:

703.1.4.3.1.2.1 Certification as a Rating Provider Quality Assurance Designee, or

703.1.4.3.1.2.2 Certification as a BPA Trainer by having passed the 100 question BPA Quality Assurance Designee/Trainer Exam with a minimum score of 90%.

703.1.4.3.2 The HEA Provider’s quality assurance designee must be responsible for the internal review of Home Energy Audits submitted by its Auditors, including:

703.1.4.3.2.1 Review of the Audits conducted during the Auditors probation period. Prior to certifying a candidate, the HEA and BPA Providers must review at least three probationary Home Energy Surveys or Building Performance Audits (as applicable) performed by the Auditor within 12 months.

703.1.4.3.2.2 Review of survey and audit reports. For each Auditor, the HEA Provider’s quality assurance designee or his/her delegated quality assurance designee must annually evaluate a minimum of 10% of each Auditor’s reports. The HEA and BPA Providers must resolve any problems detected during these reviews.

703.1.4.4 Auditor Registry. The HEA and BPA Provider must maintain a registry of all of its certified Auditors. The specified Provider must also keep on file the names and contact information for all certified Auditors, including company name, mailing address, voice phone number, fax number and email address. Upon request, the HEA Provider must provide to RESNET its registry of certified Auditors.

703.1.4.5 Complaint Response Process. Each HEA Provider must have a publicly-accessible system for receiving complaints. The HEA Provider must respond to and resolve complaints related to Home Energy Surveys and/or Building Performance reports within a 3-day period. HEA Providers must ensure that Auditors inform clients about the complaint process by publicizing the web address of the complaint-resolution process. Each HEA Provider must retain records of complaints received and responses to complaints for a minimum of three years after the date of the complaint.

703.1.5 Additional Building Performance Audit Provider Duties Related to Oversight of Building Performance Auditors (BPAs)

703.1.5.1 Certification of Performance-Testing Proficiency. The HEA Provider is responsible for certifying that each BPA has successfully completed the following:

703.1.5.1.1 Exhibited sufficient comprehension of the knowledge base stated in Section 706.2 to pass the RESNET BPA online exam.

703.1.5.1.1.1 BPA candidates who have NOT previously passed the 50-question RESNET HESP exam must take and pass the 50-question BPA exam with a minimum score of 80%.

703.1.5.1.1.2 BPA candidates who have previously taken and passed the 50-question RESNET HESP online exam with a minimum score of 75%, must take and pass an abbreviated 25 question BPA exam and pass with a minimum score of 80%.

703.1.5.1.2 Completed a combined total of 20 hours of RESNET-approved training in Pressure Diagnostics, Combustion-Appliance-Zone (CAZ) Testing and Work-Scope Requirements which includes field-training and a field-proficiency demonstrations as defined in the RESNET interim-guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

703.1.5.2 Ongoing Proficiency Testing. The HEA Provider’s quality assurance designee must require each BPA to perform a Performance-Testing-Proficiency demonstration at least once every two years. Proficiency evaluation will be performed by an individual deemed qualified by the HEA Provider’s quality assurance delegate and must include proper demonstration of a 1) CFM50 Blower Door Test, a 2) Duct Leakage Test as well as a 3) Combustion Appliance Spillage Test under CAZ Worst Case Depressurization conditions and demonstrate understanding of the results. Proficiency evaluations must be based on the Performance Testing Protocols defined in Chapter 8 of this standard or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

704 COMPREHENSIVE HERS PROVIDER ACCREDITATION CRITERIA

704.1 Comprehensive HERS Providers must be accredited by RESNET in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards.

704.1.2 Existing accredited HERS Providers must submit to RESNET an addendum to their procedures addressing qualifications and responsibilities related to providing oversight for Comprehensive HERS Raters.

704.2 In addition to the meeting the qualifications for becoming a certified HERS Rater, a Comprehensive HERS Rater must be certified by a HERS Rating Provider as having completed 3-hours of work scope training detailing the items in Section 705.2.7 and the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

704.3 Each Comprehensive HERS Rater must meet the certification requirements for Pressure Diagnostics and CAZ Testing as defined in the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

705 NATIONAL HOME ENERGY AUDIT PROCEDURES

705.1 Home Energy Survey
The purpose of the Home Energy Survey is to determine the general condition of the home with respect to energy performance and the homeowner’s potential willingness to improve the home’s energy performance. The Home Energy Survey must produce a report that shows a general range of a home’s energy-efficiency based on minimum specific criteria (e.g., insulation, equipment age, general condition, energy usage and costs) and a lookup matrix based on regional norms and climate, as approved by RESNET. The Home Energy Survey is not a required prerequisite if the homeowner wishes to directly pursue a Building Performance Audit or a Comprehensive HERS Rating. The Home Energy Survey will take one of two forms: a DOE or RESNET-approved computerized On-Line Home Energy Survey performed by the owner or occupant, or a Professional Home Energy Survey conducted by a certified Home Energy Survey Professional. {I added DOE since it is found in the definitions. However, WHO is in charge of this?}

705.1.1 On-Line Home Energy Survey. The On-Line Home Energy Survey must collect substantially the same data and information and must be subject to the same limitations as the Professional Home Energy Survey. On-line Home Energy Survey programs {by “programs” do you mean “software” or regionally scaled “DMS programs”?} must be hosted by a RESNET-accredited HEA Provider or another organization approved by RESNET and the on-line program report must be approved by RESNET.

705.1.2 Professional Home Energy Survey. The Home Energy Survey must include on-site, visual inspection of the energy features of the dwelling unit and documentation of its general condition, including: envelope features and ages; mechanical equipment types, characteristics and ages; and appliance and lighting characteristics, as well as building science barriers of prospective retrofits: e.g, adding insulation within a weatherboard wall where rainfall exceeds 60 inches per year or creating an unvented attic which already contains a gas heater, etc. Where available, the Professional Home Energy Survey must include a review of utility use and billing history. The Home Energy Survey is a visual inspection only and does not include the use of a blower door, duct leakage test, an infrared camera or other performance testing equipment. {I think a minimal ir inspection should be required. It is fast, easy to have checked by a qualified person at a provider’s office and the equipment is now available at a reasonable price.} Home Energy Survey Professionals may also use home energy survey and labeling software approved by RESNET or the U.S. Department of Energy. A homeowner is not required to have a Professional Home Energy Survey prior to having a Building Performance Audit or Comprehensive HERS Rating.

705.1.2.1 The Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) must interview the homeowner regarding all of the goals of 701.1 and their associated problems. The HESP must explain the limitations of the Home Energy Survey and provide an overview of the complexity, prices and usefulness of the alternative auditing approaches including: Professional Home Energy Survey, the Building Performance Audit and Comprehensive HERS Rating as means towards the goals of 701.1 as well as the availability of utility, city, state and federal subsidies that may become more available through these choices. The interview must include, but is not limited to, the following subject areas:

705.1.2.1.1 Ancillary to Energy but more important goals of an audit include:

705.1.2.1.1.1 Comfort complaints, including areas of the home that are too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry, too inhomogeneous in radiant energy flows or suffer from large convective flows near exterior surfaces, inability to see without artificial light during the day time, too much glare in some rooms, insufficient airflow wholly within the home (not ventilation), inability to independently control temperature and humidity, inability to be comfortable without mechanical HVAC when the outside weather conditions are temperate, the home takes too long to cool off in the afternoon, comfort is controlled by my income as opposed to comfort drives energy consumption, when I wash or dry my clothes my home becomes uncomfortable, when I cook my home gets too hot, I cannot take advantage of outside breezes, my home is much less comfortable than my neighbor even though the homes are identical

705.1.2.1.1.2 Health complaints; e.g., is there anyone in your home who is hyper-sensitive to

Moisture: asthma, requires more or less than normal RH range?

Chemicals: formaldehyde, foam effluents, paint effluents, etc

Animals or plants : pollen, pet dander, dust mites,

Allergic reactions: mold,

Lead paint and small children.

Asbestos concerns.

Is the home filling with dust?

705.1.2.1.1.3 Safety: CO resistance: combustion safety, attached garages, open fireplaces near a central HVAC thermostat; fire resistance: fire exits can be hampered by the use of window AC units, windows should not be placed on the walls with fire-escapes, some insulation is much better at fire-resistance than others, some is much more toxic in a fire than others, fire resistant roof tiles (tiles) in fire prone areas (forests), in hurricane areas, hurricane resistance: must be applied to roof-ties, structural support systems, prohibit the use of passive roof vents and window glazings and/or shutters; in earthquake prone areas, earthquake resistance: (bricks reinforced with steel rods, etc. (beyond my knowledge); in tornado prone areas, tornado resistance roofs can be insurance industry rated to level 4, a safe room is recommended; in flood prone areas, flood resistance: alternatives: depends upon kind of flooding: the home floats, ablity to clean after sewerage water invades a home without total reconstruction, self-venting crawl space, in radon prone areas, radon testing and if needed vapor sealing and adequate ventilation Radon resistance: (beyond my knowledge).

705.1.2.1.1.4 Durability Issues: termites, rainwater shedding, non-durable flashing details: e.g. caulk, replacement windows; insulating the ceiling of an open crawl space (in hot-humid climates), half-way filling an exterior wall with insulation (in a cold climate), cooling the home below the outside dew point, allowing a heated home’s dew point to rise above the outside temperature, a vapor barrier in the shell of a building in a hot-humid climate, avoiding ice dams (beyond my knowledge); how to inspect EIFS; how to incorporate rain planes into an exterior wall; stability of foundation and tendancy to differential subsidence; roof color and/or the use of radiant barriers affect asphalt-shingle durability.

705.1.2.1.2 Energy billing concerns.

705.1.2.1.3 The potential for the homeowner to move to a Building Performance Audit or Comprehensive HERS Rating.

705.1.2.1.4 Interest in potential home energy performance improvements.

705.1.2.2 The Home Energy Survey Professional will inform the homeowner of low cost/no cost improvements that can be implemented by the homeowner.

705.1.2.3 The Home Energy Survey Professional will request copies of utility bills or written permission to obtain the historic energy-use information from the utility company, and use this data to produce an estimate of generalized end-uses (base, heating, and cooling).

705.1.2.4 The Home Energy Survey Professional will advise the homeowner on where to locate qualified individuals (including the RESNET) website to conduct a Building Performance Audit or a Comprehensive HERS Rating and/or RESNET-Qualified Contractors to complete the work on the home.

705.1.2.5. Minimum Procedures for a Professional Home Energy Survey:

705.1.2.5.1 The Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) must complete a standardized survey form approved by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). The survey form will require the HESP to visually review the home to determine, measure or estimate the following features:

705.1.2.5.1.1 R-values of wall/ceiling/floor insulation

705.1.2.5.1.2 Square footage and approximate age of home

705.1.2.5.1.3 U-factors and SHGC of windows together with their window treatments: glazing type(s) and frame material(s), shutters, screens, blinds, orientation, shading.

705.1.2.5.1.4 Type, model number, efficiency and location of heating/cooling system(s)

705.1.2.5.1.5 Type of ductwork, location and R-value of duct insulation, and any indications of previous duct sealing, as well as easy to spot evidence of duct leakage.

705.1.2.5.1.6 Type of foundation is crawl, basement, or slab. If crawl, is it open or closed? Is it sealed?, and if so, insulated?

705.1.2.5.1.6.1 Type of attic & roof: vented or not, age of roof, type and color of roof. ? Is it sealed?, and if so, insulated?

705.1.2.5.1.7 Checklist of common air-leakage and over ventilation sites indicating likely opportunities for leakage reduction; e.g., attic fans, wholehouse fans, supply and return registers are on opposite side of a bedroom door,

705.1.2.5.1.8 Estimated age and efficiency of major appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and washing machines

705.1.2.5.1.9 Number and type of hardwired light fixtures and screw-in bulbs in portable lamps suitable for energy-efficient re-lamping.

705.1.2.5.1.9.1 How are the lights controlled? E.g., one lamp per switch or many lamps per switch? Occupancy sensors? Photo Sensors?

705.1.2.5.1.10 Visual indications of condensation and common moisture problems such as such as roof leaks, foundation leaks, and ground-water intrusion, soft floors, termite wings, flaking paint, warped floors, stains on windows, and plumbing leaks including any signs of mold, mildew, insect damage, efflorescence, and stains.

705.1.2.5.1.11 Presence and location of exhaust fans, and determination of whether they are drawing adequately or too much and vented to outdoors vs vented to attics.

705.1.2.5.1.12 Number and type of water fixtures (e.g. faucets, showerheads, commodes). Do they employ water use reduction fixtures?

705.1.2.5.1.12.1 Is there a hot water recirculation pump?

705.1.2.5.1.13 Presence and type(s) of combustion equipment; identification of visually identifiable evidence of flame rollout, blocked chimney, and corrosion; check for or missing or damaged vent connectors, sealed chimneys, operable flues, quality of the seal of operable flue.

705.1.2.5.1.14 Any identified and/or anticipated fire, health, and safety hazards related to energy-retrofit work.

705.1.2.1.15 In radon prone areas of the country (which exclude almost all of Louisiana): whether or not an indoor radon test has been performed in the past two years; if not, inform customers about potential radon risk and recommend radon testing in accordance with EPA Radon Measurement in Homes Protocol.

705.1.2.5.2 The following elements are outside the scope of a Professional Home Energy Survey:

705.1.2.5.2.1 The use of blower doors, duct leakage test equipment or an infrared camera.

705.1.2.5.2.2 Any other diagnostic testing of the home.

705.1.2.5.2.3 Quantification of any levels of air tightness, duct tightness, or ventilation amounts. However, house and duct tightness guessing should not be prohibited; instead, it should be encouraged.

705.1.2.5.2.4 Energy savings estimates will only be generalized and presented along with the qualification that a Building Performance Audit or Comprehensive HERS Rating must be obtained to calculate higher quality energy-savings estimates. {I cannot figure out what this sentence says. I’m totally confused on this one. I can not even guess.}

705.1.2.5.2.5 Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing

705.1.2.6 Minimum Professional Home Energy Survey Report Documentation

705.1.2.6.1 At the completion of the Professional Home Energy Survey, the Home Energy Survey Professional must provide the homeowner with a standardized report whose format and scope has been approved by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), and signed and dated by the Home Energy Survey Professional. The report at a minimum must provide information to the homeowner that addresses:

705.1.2.6.1.1 All data collected in accordance with Section 704.1.2.5.1, above

705.1.2.6.1.2 Whole-house solutions overview of how the home works as a system and how to prioritize actions.

705.1.2.6.1.3 The quality of installation of HVAC equipment including information on: proper sizing of equipment, duct sealing, and refrigerant charge and air flow. How can a rater/auditor measure refrigerant charge? Moreover, the rest of these data are problematic without performance testing and energy modeling!

705.1.2.6.1.4 The quality of the building envelope air sealing and proper levels of insulation.

705.1.2.6.1.5 An overview of potentially appropriate ENERGY STAR appliances or better products and appliances.

705.1.2.6.1.6 Information regarding access to a Building Performance Audit or Comprehensive HERS Rating.

705.1.2.6.1.7 Non energy-bill reducing benefits of improving the energy conservation of the home, including: reduction of carbon emissions, improving indoor-air-quality, avoiding termites, reducing the heat-island effect in the local community, increasing curb-appeal or market value of the home, reducing crime, etc.

705.1.2.6.1.8 General statement regarding opportunities to improve the thermal envelope, mechanical equipment, lighting and appliances in the home.

705.1.2.6.1.9 General discussion of observations and concerns regarding combustion safety.

705.1.2.6.1.9,a – e. Similarly as appropriate: Radon, Fire, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Earthquakes.

705.1.2.6.1.10 A safety notification form adopted by the Residential Energy Services Network that is filled out and presented when obvious problems are observed in accordance with 704.1.2.5.1. It is recommended that a signed release be obtained from the homeowner indicating that they were made aware of the issues.

705.1.2.6.1.11. Information on relevant subsidy programs that will help the homeowner: whether they are provided by their utility, or municipal, regional, state or federal governments.

705.1.2.7 Limitations: Unless certified by RESNET as a Building Performance Auditor or Comprehensive HERS Rater, (or by another program recognized by RESNET), the Home Energy Survey Professional must not produce a detailed written work scope for improvements as part of a Professional Home Energy Survey.

705.2 Building Performance Audit
The purpose of the Building Performance Audit is to cause optimal improvements to be made to the audited home. The Building Performance Audit includes an evaluation, performance testing, computer software analysis as well as human analysis and reporting of proposed treatments for improvement of an existing home. The evaluation must include a review of the data collected from any previous energy audit or survey, any further required measurement and performance testing and combustion-appliance testing as well as all other climate, regional, or building-stock specific tests as appropriate. The Auditor must determine the appropriate work scope for the home and must guide the homeowner to a super-sufficient or multiply redundant set (where available) of RESNET Qualified Contractors to perform the improvements. A homeowner may elect to go through this process with or without a prior Professional Home Energy Survey. A Building Performance Audit includes all of the provisions of the Professional Home Energy Survey (Section 705.1.2.5), plus the performance of diagnostic testing and reporting requirements as follows:

705.2.1. Evaluate building shell air leakage reported as CFM50
A blower door depressurization test must be performed in accordance with the envelope testing protocols contained in Appendix B of Chaper 8 of this Standard and the results thereof must be included in the audit report.

705.2.2. Evaluate duct leakage.

705.2.2.1 If more than 25% of the air-handler & ducts are outside the conditioned space, it is recommended that the Auditor perform a duct leakage test in accordance with the protocols in Appendix B of this Standard to quantify duct-leakage-to-outside, and/or specify a RESNET certified duct-leakage test prior to beginning and following any duct-sealing work.

705.2.2.2 If less than 25% of the area of the air-handler & ducts are outside the conditioned space, the auditor must perform pressure-pan tests in accordance with Appendix B of this Standard to identify duct-sealing opportunities and include them in the report. {This is unclear and I think wrong thinking: First the poor clarity arises since the way this is written one cannot know whether the auditor is only required to do one of these tests or may have to do two of these tests in some circumstances. I think it is wrong thinking because a set of pressure-pan tests will not definitively describe the extent of duct leakage and it can only be counted upon to help find some of the major leaks.}

705.2.3 Determine any Zonal Pressure Differences

705.2.3.1 If the bedrooms do not have ducted returns, jumper ducts, transfer grilles or some other method of equalizing the pressure between the room and the main body of the house when the bedroom door is closed, a Zonal Pressure Difference Test must be performed in accordance with the protocols in Appendix ? of this Standard.

705.2.3.1.a If the home has a vented attic, a zonal pressure test should be done to estimate the number of square inches of the leakage hole through the attic floor/conditioned ceiling. Attached garages and open crawl spaces should be similarly tested. If a full zone pressure test is not going to be broadly required, at a minimum, the attic-to-home pressure-coupling ratio should be ascertained as part of a blower door test: By running a pressure-sensing tube to the suspect “exterior or remote” volume (e.g. attic) merely recording the pressure in that volume when the house pressure is 50 Pa; the pressure-coupling ratio is the recorded pressure / 50. If the pressure coupling ratio is less than 95%, then a zone leakage test output in sq inches of effective leakage area is warranted.

705.2.3.2 It is recommended that the Auditor determine the amount of pressurization or depressurization caused by closing rooms off from the area served by a central return, creating pressure zones within the home and measuring the pressure changes between the main body of the home and the outside and between the house and each room. This set of tests will include testing the whole home as a single zone, i.e., with no interior doors closed. The results of the Zonal Pressure Differences would justify recommendations in the work scope and must be included in the Audit report.

705.2.4. Determine Worst-Case Depressurization and Back-drafting Potential for Combustion Appliances

705.2.4.1 The Worst-Case Depressurization Test is only required when combustion appliances, including open fireplaces, are in the conditioned space.

705.2.4.2 The auditor must determine if there is likelihood for all combustion appliances to have spillage within the building envelope when exhaust fans or any air-handler are operating by following the Worst-Case Depressurization protocol in the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

705.2.4.3 The auditor must check the combustion appliance zone for the presence of flammable or explosive material near a combustion source.

705.2.4.4 The results of the combustion appliance spillage testing under Worst-Case Depressurization must be presented on the audit report

705.2.5 Perform Carbon Monoxide Testing

705.2.5.1. This test is only required when combustion appliances are within the conditioned space.

705.2.5.2 Test the occupied zone of spaces containing combustion appliances for carbon monoxide following the protocol in the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

705.2.5.3 Ambient CO monitoring must be performed continuously while performing a Worst Case Depressurization test.

705.2.5.4 The results of the CO testing must be presented on the audit report.

705.2.6 Optional Thermal Imaging
While thermal imaging is a valuable diagnostic tool, particularly for performance evaluations of existing homes, it is not a required component of a Building Performance Audit. {I disagree. Thermal Imaging should be an integral part of building performance evaluations. It is one of the best diagnostic tools, as well as being the best visual demonstration of the needed work on the home.}

705.2.7 Prepare a Detailed Retrofit Work Scope
A BPA Report must include a retrofit work scope in accordance with the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.
705.2.7.1 The work scope {Which term are you going to use “Scope of Work” or “Work Scope”? Please be consistent.} for recommended improvements will be determined by the Auditor and must be based upon the findings of the assessment and the client’s budget. However, at least the first 5 cost-effective items must be identified and recommended no matter what the budget of the client.

705.3 Minimum Building Performance Audit Report Documentation

705.3.1 Upon completion of the audit, provide the client with a written record (physical or electronic) of the audit and resulting recommendations within 3 working days. It must include:

705.3.1.1 General findings of audit as defined in Section 705.1.2.6

705.3.1.2 General recommendations for improvements

705.3.1.3 Work scope for suggested improvements

705.3.1.4 Software-generated improvement analysis I have not found any software competent to generate an improvement analysis in a totally automated fashion. Agree

705.4 Comprehensive HERS Rating
The Comprehensive HERS Rating is the most in-depth performance audit. It not only includes the evaluation, performance testing and reporting of the proposed work scope for improvement of an existing home, it involves a computerized simulation analysis utilizing RESNET Accredited Rating Software to calculate a rating score using the HERS Index. Since HERS Ratings of existing homes will be required to qualify loan applicants for certain mortgage products, the procedures for performing a Comprehensive HERS Rating are governed by Chapter 3 of the National Energy Rating Technical Standards and Appendix A of the latest version of the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System Standards. A homeowner is not required to have a Professional Home Energy Survey or Building Performance Audit prior to having a Comprehensive HERS Rating.
705.4.1 In addition to requirements set forth in Chapters 2-3 for certification as a HERS Rater, a Comprehensive HERS Rater must be associated with a HERS Provider to perform all required procedures defined in Appendix A and the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard including:

{705.4.1.1 Pressure Diagnostics for the building envelope and air handler distribution ducts

705.4.1.2 Worst Case Depressurization and Combustion Appliance Testing.

705.4.1.1 Preparation of Retrofit Scope of Work}

Why not delete this list and merely include the complete list already provided for the BPA by reference?

706 REQUIRED SKILLS FOR CERTIFICATION

706.1 Minimum skills and knowledge base required to conduct a Professional Home Energy Survey

706.1.1 Basics of heat transfer concepts
Including all five primary heat flow mechanisms:
Conduction, convection, radiation, infiltration/ventilation (This includes all forms of infiltration, intentional ventilation, as well as unintentional ventilation whether mechanical or not. In metereology, this flow is called advection.), evapo-transpiration (This is the energy flow of condensation/ evaporation; it operates in all moisture holding materials in the presence of the other heat flows; it is the primary energy flow that provides the driving force for osmosis which is moves moisture in plants.)
Although heat always moves from hot to cold, moisture flows in more complicated ways.:
As a liquid: gravity, capillary, osmotic
As a vapor: from higher vapor pressure to lower vapor pressure.
An auditor must understand all of the following: dew point, dry bulb, wet bulb temperatures, grains of moisture, psychometric charts, enthalpy as applied to both ventilation/infiltration and the way an air-condtioner operates.
If the auditor will ever find himself in a home which has ANY wood near the building shell, the auditor should understand what precent moisture content (mc) of wood means, how that is related durability or mold growth and insect infestation and the 1-to-1 relationship between mc and the relative humidity of the nearby air for each wood type and temperature.

706.1.2 Basics of building performance testing

706.1.3 Basics of air distribution leakage

706.1.4 Calculating gross and net areas

706.1.5 Definitions/energy terminology

706.1.6 Basic combustion appliance concerns

706.1.7 Basics of envelope leakage, thermal bypass, thermal bridging

706.1.8 Determining envelope insulation

706.1.8.1 Presence/absence of insulation and when observable, the quality of its installation

706.1.8.2 Recommended levels of insulation by climate zone

706.1.8.3 Recommended building shell design by rainfall zone.

706.1.8.4 Recommended roof design by hurricane or tornado zone.

706.1.8.4 Recommended crawl space design by flood zone and/or radon zone.

706.1.9 HVAC – determining equipment efficiencies from model numbers or default tables

706.1.10 Household appliances – estimate efficiency from model numbers or vintage

706.1.10.1 HVAC varieties features drawbacks: e.g.
1) ground source heat pumps will have degrading efficiency if the ground loop array capacity is not oversized for some installations,
2) ductless mini-spit equipment are exceptionally good at dehumidification, but are exceptionally sensitive to keeping the filter clean.
3) ducted HVAC systems outside of conditioned space usually suffer from distribution efficiency losses greater than 25%. And duct leakage rates below 5% are technically beyond reasonable as a specification.
4) Variable refrigerant volume HVAC equipment obviates the need to avoid oversizing.
5) Modern heatpumps can easily provide heating heretofore unrivaled by gas heating even in climates where the outside temperature dips below 4 degrees F.
6) Mechanical ventilation in some climate zones can double the per person cooling load and shift the sensible heat ratio below the competence of the cooling equipment.

706.1.11 Energy, power, moisture, heat-conductivity/resistance, temperature, emissivity units, efficiency yard-sticks and key conversion factors.

706.1.12 Measuring building dimensions

706.1.13 Identification and documentation of energy survey inspected
features of the home

706.1.14 Basics of specifications

706.1.15 Determining window and door efficiency, recognizing the energy-conserving features of windows that are not measured by NFRC that can explain the differences between projected energy consumption and energy-usage data.

706.1.16 Determining building orientation and shading characteristics

706.1.17 Defining and moving the thermal boundaries.

706.1.18 Basics of measure interaction, expected-life, and bundling for optimal performance considering the house-as-a-system and the emerging need for deep savings

706.2 Minimum skills and knowledge base required for an individual to conduct a Building Performance Audit

706.2.1 The skills and knowledge required for an individual to conduct a Home Energy Survey in accordance with section 705.1 of this standard.

706.2.2 Ability to perform building envelope leakage testing in accordance with the envelope testing protocols in Appendix B of this Standard.

706.2.3 Ability to perform duct leakage testing in accordance with the duct testing protocols contained in Appendix B of this Standard.

706.2.4 Ability to perform CAZ testing in accordance with Worst-Case Depressurization and Combustion Appliance Testing protocols contained in the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

706.2.5 Ability to prepare a detailed work scope in accordance with protocols contained in the RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

706.2.6 Expertise with local climate, soil and building-stock conditions and climate-specific practices.

706.3 Minimum skills and knowledge base required for an individual to conduct a Comprehensive HERS Rating

706.3.1 The skills and knowledge required for an individual to conduct a Building Performance Audit in accordance with section 705.1 and 705.2 of this standard.

706.3.2 Familiarity with all HERS Minimum-Rated features and data collection requirements as defined in Appendix A of the National Home Energy Rating Technical Guidelines

706.3.3 Ability to conduct building simulation and performance analysis and provide HERS Ratings in accordance with the requirements of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System Standards.

707. GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

707.1 Limitations

707.1.1 The energy use information contained in reports resulting from Professional Home Energy Surveys, Building Performance Audits or Comprehensive HERS Ratings do not constitute any warranty of energy cost or savings.

707.1.2 Surveys, Audits and Ratings that are performed in accordance with these standards:

707.1.2.1 Are not technically exhaustive.

707.1.2.2 Will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.

707.1.3 Neither the Building Performance Audit nor the Comprehensive HERS Rating is intended to be an inspection of the structural soundness of the home or any other attributes of the home other than those that impact the home’s energy features, and a minimal set of basic safety features.

707.1.4 The Professional Home Energy Survey is not applicable to building design and construction features except those listed in section 704.1.2.5.

708. HOME ENERGY AUDIT TRAINING PROVIDER ACCREDITATION

708.1 Requirements for Accredited HEA-Training Providers

708.1.1 Duties and Responsibilities. In order to maintain their accreditation in good standing for providing HESP and/or BPA training courses, all HEA-Training Providers must fully discharge the following duties and responsibilities.

708.1.1.1 Hold the national core competency questions of the national HESP and BPA test administered by RESNET in the strictest confidence.

708.1.1.2 Submit to RESNET for approval, copies of the HESP and BPA course presentation materials, training manuals, user manuals, course handouts and any other training materials used for training purposes,

708.1.1.3 Submit for approval, copies of all policies, standards, guidelines and procedures to be used by the HEA-Training Provider.

708.1.1.4 Maintain a record, for a period of three years, of all training materials and trainee data, including:

708.1.1.4.1 Historical records of all training schedules and curricula,

708.1.1.4.2 Historical records of all training attendance records,

708.1.1.4.3 Historical records of all examinations and individual examination results,

708.1.1.4.4 Historical records of all certifications issued to any individuals,

708.1.1.5 Maintain acceptable accounting practices, suitable to satisfy the requirements of independent audit procedures.

708.1.1.6 Maintain up-to-date training materials and provide adequate training facilities.

708.1.1.7 Only utilize RESNET Certified BPA Trainers who have at a minimum been certified by RESNET as having passed the 100-question BPA Trainer’s Exam with a minimum score of 90%.

708.1.2 Privileges and rights. All accredited HEA-Training Providers in good standing must have certain privileges and rights, as follows:

708.1.2.1 The privilege to display the accreditation seal of the National Accreditation Body on any publications, displays, presentations or marketing materials published, authorized for publication or otherwise issued by the HEA-Training Provider.

708.1.2.2 The privilege to make and use RESNET designated trademarked, copyrighted or otherwise restricted materials for marketing both HESP and BPA Training Courses.

708.1.2.3 Copies of all current policies, standards, guidelines and procedures in use by the HEATraining Provider.

708.1.2.4 The right to present evidence, arguments and a vigorous defense in any action brought under these standards by any party against a HEA-Training Provider.

709 MINIMUM HOME ENERGY AUDIT TRAINER COMPETENCIES

709.1 Required HESP & BPA Trainer Competencies

709.1.1 To teach either HESP or BPA training curriculum, a HEA-Training Provider must maintain RESNET Certified BPA Trainer(s) demonstrating the following skills:

709.1.1.1 Mastery of the Home Energy Audit Standards knowledge base and skills set given in this chapter. The trainers must demonstrate these skills by passing the 100-question RESNET BPA Trainer’s Exam with a minimum score of 90%.

709.1.1.2 Ability to communicate effectively the methods, procedures, knowledge and skills to produce accurate and fair Home Energy Audits from building investigation and performance testing and combustion safety in accordance with Chapter 7 and RESNET interim guidelines or the Texas HERO Home Energy Audit Standard.

709.1.1.3 Understanding of the purposes and benefits of home energy surveys and audits and ability to communicate these to students.

709.1.1.4 Understanding the basics of cost-effective energy improvements, preparing a scope of work and the ability to communicate these to students.

Justification

RESNET adopted the National Home Ene

Thanks RESNET!

With the recent downturn in new home construction, it is becoming increasingly important for HERS Raters diversify their services. New homes will continue to be built, but at a rate much lower than the housing boom we experienced in previous years. So where can HERS Raters still provide beneficial services and make a good living? The answer is energy retrofits of existing homes.

According to HUD, there are more than 120,000,000 existing homes in the United States. And those 120 million homes constitute 33% of our nation’s energy requirements. We can all agree that there is a need to reduce our energy dependence on foreign oil and the most effective way is through energy efficiency and existing homes will continue to see service for years to come. It’s also known that there is a chance Home Star will get through the Senate and find funding. All of these factors will create an additional incentitives for energy upgrades to existing houses.

Fortunately this is a field that will require both Raters (experts in energy efficiency) AND Qualified Contractors (Pros in the residential construction and home improvement industry). Without this dynamic duo of HERS Efficiency Experts and RESNET Building Pros, many homeowners will waste a lot of money on products and services that yield little payback or face poor installations that diminish the potential effectiveness of the energy saving measures.

But, if RESNET Raters and Qualified Contractors work together from the start of the energy retrofit, the homeowners’ best interests are served. If the project starts with a HERS Rater, she can recommend a trained RESNET contractor he feels comfortable working with. If the project begins with a RESNET Qualified Contractor, he can comfortably recommend a Rater to perform a comprehensive audit before the project begins.

The new RESNET Website Directory, not only promotes qualified energy professionals to consumers, it enables contractors and Raters to network together and feed each other valuable leads. And most importantly, it facilitates the ultimate objective – getting the retrofit work performed.

As a HERS Rater, I commend the RESNET Board of Directors for having the foresight to see the big picture and move in this direction. By partnering with trained and qualified contractors I can better serve my clients while increasing my business.

Travis Hooper
SEI Inspections
Houston, Texas