RESNET National Home Energy Audit Standard

A staggering 21% of the all energy used in the United States is used in homes. Where does all of the energy go? Over 40% of the energy consumed in a home is used for heating and cooling, water heating and lighting uses around 20%, and appliances including refrigeration use more than 15%. These energy users can also be areas where energy savings can be achieved. Home An energy survey/audit is the first step to determine how much energy a home uses and opportunities where energy can be saved. The survey/audit can discover inefficiencies in a home and provide solutions for increased efficiency.

The provisions of this Standard are intended to define a framework for a home energy audit process. An accredited Provider or a program may apply this Standard to improve the energy performance of existing homes through uniform, comprehensive home energy audits for existing residential buildings. This Standard is intended to result in investments by building owners that produce the following outcomes:

  • Increase the energy efficiency of homes;
  • Increase the comfort of homes;
  • Increase the durability of homes;
  • 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, protecting the environment.

Categories of energy audits in the RESNET National Home Energy Audit Standard

To download the RESNET National Home Energy Rating Standard click on RESNET National Home Energy Rating Standard

On-line Energy Survey

The On-Line Home Energy Survey shall collect substantially the same data and information and shall be subject to the same limitations as the In-Home Home Energy Survey. On-line Home Energy Survey instruments shall be hosted by a RESNET accredited Survey Provider or another organization approved by RESNET and the on-line instrument shall be approved by RESNET.

In-Home Energy Survey

This Home Energy Survey shall include on-site visual inspection of the energy features of the dwelling unit, and documentation of its general condition, including envelope features and ages; equipment types, characteristics and ages; and, appliance and lighting characteristics. Where available, the In-Home Home Energy Survey shall include a review of utility use and billing history.

The In-Home Home Energy Survey is a visual inspection only and does not require the use of a blower door, duct leakage test, an infrared camera or other test equipment. An In-Home Home Energy Survey is not a prerequisite for the Diagnostic Home Energy Survey or Comprehensive Home Energy Audit.

Diagnostic/Field Rating Inspection

A homeowner may elect to go through this process with or without a prior In-Home Home Energy Survey. The Diagnostic Home Energy Survey includes all of the provisions of the In-Home Energy Survey (Section 704.1.2), with the exception of the diagnostic testing and reporting restrictions listed in section 704.1.2.5.2, and with the inclusion of diagnostic testing.

Comprehensive Energy Audit

The purpose of the Comprehensive Home Energy Audit is to cause improvement to be made to the audited home. The Comprehensive Audit includes an evaluation, performance testing and proposed treatments for improvement of an existing home. The evaluation shall include a review of the data collected from any previous energy audit or survey, any further required measurement and performance testing, combustion appliance testing, and a computerized simulation analysis of the home's energy performance and a calculation of the energy and environmental savings from improving the energy performance of the home. The performance analysis shall determine the scope of work for the home. The qualified Auditor shall guide the homeowner to a Certified Contractor. A homeowner may elect to go through this process without a requirement of a prior Home Energy Survey or a Diagnostic Energy Survey.

How to Have an On-line Home Energy Survey Approved

How to Have an On-line Home Energy Survey Approved An On-Line Home Energy Survey is a basic review of a home using an internet-based tool or software. The On-Line Home Energy Survey shall collect substantially the same data and information and shall be subject to the same limitations as the In-Home Energy Survey. On-line Home Energy Survey instruments shall be hosted by a RESNET accredited Survey Provider or another organization approved by RESNET and the on-line instrument shall be approved by RESNET. To apply to have your On-line Home Energy Survey approved click on Online Home Energy Survey Application.

How to Become an In-Home Energy Survey Professional

All certified Home Energy Survey Professionals need to pass the national Home Energy Survey Professional test administered by RESNET. A training course is not a required. The RESNET national Home Energy Survey test is an on-line 50 question test with a maximum test time of two hours. The test costs $50, is open book and results from the test are immediately received after completion of the test. A passing score is 75%. The test must be taken at testing center or other proctored location. Please allow 5-10 business days to set up the test. RESNET will allow the following institutions to proctor the test:

  • School
  • College
  • Independent Testing Center
  • Government Agency
  • Library
  • Utility

To sign up for the test click on Sign up to take In-Home Energy Survey Professional Test.

The minimum knowledge and skills required are:

  • Basics of heat transfer concepts
  • Basics of building performance testing
  • Basics of air distribution leakage
  • Calculating gross and net areas
  • Definitions/energy terminology
  • Basic combustion appliance concerns
  • Basics of envelope leakage, thermal bypass, thermal bridging
  • Determining envelope insulation
  • Presence/absence of insulation and when observable, the quality of its installation
  • Recommended levels of insulation by climate zone
  • HVAC - determining equipment efficiencies from model numbers or default tables
  • Household appliances - determine efficiency from model numbers or vintage
  • Energy units
  • Measuring building dimensions
  • Identification and documentation of energy survey inspected features of the home
  • Basics of specifications
  • Determining window and door efficiency
  • Determining building orientation and shading characteristics
  • Defining the thermal boundaries

Resources to study for the test are:

  • Residential Energy, John Krigger and Chris Dorsi
  • Chapter Seven of the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards
  • Appendix A of the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards
  • Observational Diagnostics
  • Saturn Energy Auditor Field Guide
  • American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Residential Construction Academy, Michael Joyce

Certification and recertification of Home Energy Survey Professionals must be by accredited Home Energy Survey Providers. Home Energy Survey Professionals must work with a shall have 12 hours of continuing education and training units approved by the Home Energy Survey Provider in every three year period. Recertification of Home Energy Survey Professionals by the provider shall occur not less than every three years.

Certified Home Energy Raters and Rating Field Inspectors are automatically qualified to be certified as a Home Energy Survey Professional and Diagnostic Home Energy Professional. They do not have to take the RESNET Home Energy Survey Professional test. All that is needed is for an accredited Home Energy Survey Provider to certify them as a Home Energy Survey Professional.

How to Become a Diagnostic Home Energy Survey Professional

A Diagnostic Home Energy Survey Professional must first be certified as an In-Home Energy Survey Professional.

In addition the following minimum skills and knowledge base required for an individual to conduct a Diagnostic Home Energy Survey:

  • Ability to perform building envelope leakage testing in accordance with the envelope testing requirements contained in the "National Energy Rating Technical Standard".
  • Ability to perform duct leakage testing in accordance with the duct testing requirements contained in the "National Energy Rating Technical Standards".
  • Familiarity with local climate conditions and climate specific practices.

The Home Energy Survey Provider will designate a home energy survey professional as a diagnostic home energy survey professional.

Certified Home Energy Raters and Rating Field Inspectors are automatically qualified to be certified as a Home Energy Survey Professional and Diagnostic Home Energy Professional. They do not have to take the RESNET Home Energy Survey Professional test. All that is needed is for an accredited Home Energy Survey Provider to certify them as a Home Energy Survey Professional.

How to Become a Comprehensive Home Energy Auditor

The minimum certification required for an individual to conduct a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit are:

The certified auditor must be either:

  • A Home Energy Rater certified by a RESNET accredited Rating Provider. In addition the rater must be trained and certified to accomplish the following functions:
    • Prepare a detailed work scope in accordance with the BPI Building Analyst Standards; and
    • Perform combustion testing in accordance with the BPI Building Analyst Standards
       
  • A Building Analyst certified by the Building Performance Institute. In addition the building analyst must be trained and certified to accomplish the following functions:
    • 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.
       
  • Certified by another home performance certification program recognized by RESNET.
    • Home Performance Certification Programs recognized by RESNET to date are:
      • Texas Home Energy Raters Organization (May 5, 2009)

How to Become a Home Energy Survey Provider

If you are a RESNET accredited Rating Provider click on Home Energy Rating Provider Home Energy Survey Provider Application.

If you are not a RESNET Rating Provider click on Home Energy Survey Provider Application.

Provider Resources