In order for high energy performance homes to be mainstream in the nation’s housing market, it is essential that appraisers value the energy efficiency in the home’s appraisal. In the past this has been a difficult task because the difficulty that appraisers had finding comparables to assign a market value to the high performing home.
Vermont MLS Now Includes HERS Index Score
Homebuyers in Vermont can now easily find energy efficient homes. The Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) has added fields to its MLS that allows REALTORS® to include energy efficiency improvements, Home Energy Rating scores, ENERGY STAR® Home and green building certifications to listings. “This is an excellent feature that will encourage energy efficiency
Free Digital Copies of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code Available
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has provided funding to furnish free digital copies of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code® (2009 IECC). This free download is meant to support the building energy efficiency goals of DOE’s Building Technologies Program, as well as those found within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.DOE assists states and
OptiMiser Software Program Accredited by RESNET as Rating Software Tool
The OptiMiser software program has been accredited by RESNET to calculate home energy ratings. OptiMser passed the suite of software that RESNET has developed through the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The software tests include: BESTEST Tier 1 HERS Reference Home Rating Software Auto-Generation Test HERS Method Test HVAC Tests
RESNET Revamps National Home Energy Audit Standard – Creates New Comprehensive Home Energy Rater and Building Performance Auditor Classifications
RESNET has undertaken an aggressive effort to tap the existing homes market. To better meet the need for independent energy assessments for the upgrading of home energy performance RESNET has adopted a comprehensive revision of its National Energy Audit Standard (Chapter 7 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards). The most significant improvement
RESNET Adopts Guidelines for Combustion Safety Testing and Developing Work Orders
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 provide an opportunity for RESNET certified home energy raters and energy auditors to be trained and certified to undertake combustion appliance testing
Hope Still Alive for Extension of Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden has recently returned from Washington, DC where he met with staff of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME). There is still a chance that the new and existing homes tax credits could still be extended by Congress in the upcoming “lame duck session” after the
