Quality assurance shouldn’t feel mysterious—or intimidating. It should be clear, practical, and something the entire RESNET® community believes in. That’s the idea behind HERS® IQ. HERS IQ is RESNET’s new, ongoing campaign to strengthen quality assurance across the HERS ecosystem. Think of it as a shared effort to improve everyone’s “IQ” about QA—so Raters, Providers, Builders, and program partners all have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to deliver ratings that are accurate, consistent, and credible. What HERS IQ Is All About HERS IQ is built on three simple goals: • Transparency – clear expectations and open communication about how quality assurance works. • Credibility – ensuring every HERS rating stands up to scrutiny. • Support – helping Raters and Providers succeed, not just policing them. Why This Matters The value of a HERS rating depends on trust. Builders rely on it. Lenders and utilities rely on it. Code officials and policymakers rely on it. Most importantly, homeowners rely on it. HERS IQ is about protecting that trust. HERS IQ isn’t a one-time program—it’s an ongoing commitment. As new policies are finalized, RESNET will share them through clear announcements and webinars so everyone knows exactly what’s changing and how to stay in compliance. Together, we can raise the QA IQ of the entire industry. Updated Code of Ethics A strong Code of Ethics is what makes a HERS® rating more than a number — it’s what makes it trusted. As part of the HERS IQ initiative, RESNET® updated the Code of Ethics to clarify expectations and promote consistency across the industry. The new Code replaces all previous versions and is now in effect. The Code of Ethics now applies to everyone in the RESNET program*, including: • Rating Providers • Training Providers • Software Providers • HERS Raters • Rating Field Inspectors (RFIs) • HERS Modelers • HERSH2O® Raters • Quality Assurance Designees (QADs) • Instructors *The Code applies even if you are not currently completing HERS ratings. What actually changed: • The Code was simplified so it is easier to understand and enforce • Communication expectations with builders are now formally included • Newer certifications (like HERS Modelers and HERSH2O Raters) are covered • New section explaining how RESNET trademarks, certifications, and branding may be used Why this matters: The Code of Ethics strengthens trust in HERS ratings. This update helps ensure everyone is operating under the same clear expectations. Read the updated Code of Ethics here Making Transfers of Rater of Record Clear and Credible A common quality assurance challenge in the HERS® industry is when a rating is started but can’t be completed by the original HERS Rater—leaving builders stuck with incomplete projects and no clear path forward. The new Transfer of HERS Rater of Record Policy, part of the HERS IQ campaign, creates a clear process to responsibly move the rating forward and finish the job. What This Policy Is About The Transfer of Rater of Record Policy provides clear, consistent rules for responsibly completing unfinished or unregistered ratings by a new Rater. In simple terms: • If a HERS Rater in good standing started the rating and • The original Rating Company can no longer complete the work and • Proper documentation exists Then the rating can be transferred to a new HERS Rater of Record, and the project can move forward. This policy keeps builders from being stranded, protects homeowners, and preserves the integrity of the HERS rating system. What the Policy Covers The guidance explains how to handle transfers in a consistent, transparent way, including: • When transfers are allowed • What documentation must be in place • How verification and oversight must occur • What evidence is acceptable to support data completeness and reliability • How Providers and QADs manage QA and registry reporting obligations What’s Next RESNET will continue to share additional tools, guidelines, and implementation details as part of the HERS IQ campaign. For full details, see RESNET’s policy on the Transfer of HERS® Rater of Record. For provider and QA guidelines, click here RESNET QA® App The RESNET QA® app is now fully deployed and used by Providers and Quality Assurance Designees across the country. This allows the RESNET® program to operate in a centralized, real-time system. Instead of spreadsheets and year-end reporting, quality assurance (QA) now occurs within a single platform built directly into the RESNET Buildings Registry. RESNET’s QA of Providers is no longer a retrospective audit. It is active oversight. This RESNET QA App technology: • Provides continuous oversight rather than periodic review • Delivers objective analytics instead of anecdotal compliance • Enables early issue correction and coordination • Ensures consistent verification across all markets The QA App modernizes the HERS® Program by strengthening accuracy, transparency, and confidence in HERS ratings nationwide. Adoption data demonstrates how quickly the industry has embraced this enhancement, well in advance of the January 1 Mandatory Compliance Date (MCD): • In 2025, QA Reviews completed through the RESNET QA App increased more than fourfold compared to 2024. • By Q42025, over 80% of RESNET-accredited Rating Providers voluntarily used the RESNET QA App and/or its API, before the January 1, 2026 MCD. • More than 16,000 QA Reviews have been submitted through the RESNET QA API. RESNET has moved quality assurance from a written requirement to a verifiable, real-time system—strengthening transparency, consistency, and long-term confidence in the HERS Program.
