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RESNET Board Sets Organization’s Path to Success for 2016

Oct 22, 2015

The RESNET Board of Directors is working hard to secure the success and future of HERS® ratings and RESNET’s membership.

At its fall 2015 board meeting, the RESNET Board adopted the priorities for the organization in 2016.  The priorities are:

Ensure the National Consistency of HERS® Index Scores

There is a need to ensure the national consistency in the ways homes are rated and scored.  In 2016 RESNET activities will be focused on implementing the new procedures. Activities will focus on:

  • Ensuring the qualifications of  HERS® Raters and Rating Field Inspectors
  • Robust quality assurance oversight
  • Consistency in the calculation of HERS® Index Scores
  • Development of quality assurance oversight infrastructure.

Work with the Building Industry, Code Advocates, Rating Industry and Local Code Jurisdictions to Adopt and Implement Energy Rating Index Option in the 2015 International Conservation Code

The International Code Council adopted a home energy rating score option for the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).  The new option will result in increased energy performance of homes while giving greater flexibility to builders.  The emphasis in 2016 will be to assist state and local building jurisdictions in adopting and implementing the 2015 IECC Energy Rating Index option.

Through Dynamic Partnerships with the Housing Industry, Product Suppliers, Utilities and Code Officials Increase the Penetration of the RESNET HERS® Index in the Housing Market

In 2016, to educate consumers about the HERS® Index so they will ask for the HERS® Index Score of the home they are considering to buy, RESNET will enter into dynamic partnerships. It is expected that this momentum will create a market pressure for more builders to have their homes energy rated and that consumers will ask for the HERS® Index of homes. This should also affect the existing homes market with the HERS® Index becoming the “energy yardstick” of homes for sale.

Develop RESNET Water Efficiency Rating Index for Homes

Water is the new frontier for RESNET and HERS® Raters. In many parts of the nation water is fast becoming an ever increasingly expensive commodity. There is clearly a need for a system to rate a home’s efficiency in water use. This will allow homebuyers to know how efficiently water is being used in the homes they are considering to buy. It will also provide an opportunity for homebuilders to monetize the efficiency of their homes in the same fashion that the HERS® Index plays for energy efficiency.

Advocate for Policy and Legislation to Foster the Financing of the Improved Energy Performance of Homes

A number of initiatives were introduced in Congress including the SAVE Act, extension of the residential energy efficiency tax credits, and a performance based tax credit for improving the energy performance of existing homes. In 2016 RESNET will continue to be effective in working with its strategic allies in advocating the introduction and passage of these initiatives. In addition, RESNET, in partnership with its strategic allies will continue to advocate for effective performance federal tax credits for both new and existing homes.

Expand RESNET’s Services to Rural America

Rural Americans pay among the highest energy bills in the nation. The procedures and infrastructure in the more urban areas of America may not always work for the more rural areas. A goal in 2016 is to expand RESNET’s services to rural America and has developed partnerships with the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association and Touchstone Energy. The partnerships will work on addressing the barriers limiting RESNET services.

By taking this action the RESNET Board has positioned the organization to accelerate the trend of mainstreaming HERS® Index Scores in the housing market while improving the quality and consistency of ratings.