Last week RESNET addressed the business opportunities presented by HERS® Raters being able to conduct CAZ testing. This is part of a continuing communication on why CAZ training and testing is being required for all RESNET HERS® Raters by December 31, 2014. This document addresses two issues: Adding CAZ Certification to RESNET HERS® Raters requirements enables RESNET HERS® Raters to participate in proposed federal legislation End the confusion and frustration over too many RESNET Certifications Proposed Federal Tax Credit for Improving the Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes Currently there is legislation in Congress to create a performance based federal tax credit of up to $5,000 to homeowners who improve the energy efficiency of their existing homes by a minimum of 20%. The legislation requires a test out by certified raters. This creates an exciting opportunity for RESNET HERS® Raters to expand into the existing homes market. By completing the required CAZ training and testing, HERS® Raters will now be eligible to perform the required testing out without needing any other certification. Resolving Confusion and Frustration Over Too Many RESNET Rater & Auditor Certifications Previously RESNET had a growing number of certifications for raters and energy auditors. Are you a Rating Field Inspector, HERS® Rater, Comprehensive HERS® Rater, Home Energy Survey Professional or a Building Performance Auditor? What do you need to be? Not only did this create confusion for you but also consumers and program managers. It was a difficulty in working with Congressional staff on crafting the federal tax credit for retrofits. In 2012 the RESNET Training and Education Committee grappled with this issue and took it straight on. The committee decided to stop the proliferation of RESNET certifications and to recognize that HERS® Raters were the central certification that can address both new and existing homes. The committee proposed a standard amendment that combined the Comprehensive HERS® Rater and Building Performance Auditor into the HERS® Rater certification. This required that HERS® Raters be trained and tested in conducting CAZ testing. The amendment went through a consensus based public review and comment process and was adopted by the RESNET Board of Directors in 2013. Raters can sign up for the RESNET CAZ tests through an accredited Rater Training Provider. To find out more, contact RESNET’s Customer Service Representative Stephanie DeZee at stephanie@resnet.us Please note that RESNET and Interplay staff will be holiday schedules after Thanksgiving. This means that access to staff support on the tests will be limited during the holidays. It would be wise to complete the required CAZ testing and training before Thanksgiving.
