The Insulation Institute has published an indispensable guide for certified RESNET HERS® Raters to better understand how they can improve communications with builders and make it easier to work together. In the first half of 2016, the Insulation Institute conducted two rounds of qualitative research to better understand how builders and HERS® Raters interact. This included a focus group of ten builders, followed by a series of one-on-one interviews with ten other builders. The residential builders involved in the research included a broad mix of regions, type, and number of homes built per year. What they all had in common was significant experience working with HERS® Raters, ranging from two to ten years. The Insulation Institute published “The Guide to Understanding What Builders Want From HERS® Raters” to help HERS® Raters better serve their builder customers and, in so doing, will help improve the quality of future homes. The publication explores the following topics: Why Builders Use HERS® Raters What Builders Expect From HERS® Raters How Raters Can Exceed Builders’ Expectations The guide concludes that HERS® ratings, “provides great potential for adding value to the residential home building process. By helping builders meet more stringent code requirements, better understand how to achieve target results, and explain and market the advantages of ‘greener’ homes, HERS® raters can provide the new ideas and solutions needed to forge stronger builder partnerships that will benefit the environment and the homebuyer alike.” To download the guide click on “The Guide to Understanding What Builders Want From HERS® Raters”. The Insulation Institute is a program of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). NAIMA serves as the voice of the insulation industry, bringing together North American manufacturers of fiberglass and mineral wool insulation products. Through the Insulation Institute the organization leverages the collective insulation expertise of our organization and our members to empower homeowners and professionals to make informed insulation choices.