As part of its commitment to excellence RESNET has committed to a comprehensive effort to enhance the consistency of HERS® Index scores. This holistic commitment to quality includes: Enhancing the Qualification of HERS® Raters RESNET is concluding a consensus based effort to enhance its standard for the training, assessment and certification of HERS® raters. Enhancing RESNET Rating Quality Assurance Procedures RESNET has embarked on a consensus based standard amendment process to enhance its HERS® rating quality assurance standards. This effort will include using automated quality assurance review by RESNET on all HERS® rated homes. Enhance the Consistency of Calculation of HERS® Index Scores RESNET has adopted an internal check system within RESNET accredited HERS® software programs to reduce the inconsistency of inputs into the software programs. In addition, RESNET is in the process of developing a nationally consistent process for HERS® software programs to calculate HERS® Index scores. Providing Adequate Resources for RESNET’s Quality Assurance Infrastructure In its 2016 budget the RESNET Board of Directors authorized the financial resources to implement its enhancement of quality assurance activities. A key component of quality assurance is the oversight of HERS® ratings. Annually RESNET certified Quality Assurance Designees must annually monitor a minimum of 10% of all HERS® raters building files and conduct field monitoring of 1% of all homes rated. In addition RESNET staff conducts an annual review of all quality assurance reports and inspections of a minimum of 25% of accredited Rating Quality Assurance Providers’ files. In 2015 this resulted in having over 20,000 HERS® rated homes receiving quality assurance oversight. While most HERS® raters and Rating Quality Assurance Providers were documented to be following RESNET’s procedures, RESNET staff quality assurance oversight has detected cases were procedures were violated or there was room for improvement. As a result of RESNET staff quality assurance oversight of providers and resolution of compliance complaints, RESNET has taken sanctions on accredited Rating Quality Assurance providers who have not followed RESNET procedures. There are four actions that RESNET staff take where inconsistencies are discovered: Monitoring Findings This is where RESNET staff finds areas where there were not major infractions, but where the provider can improve their quality assurance oversight activities. In these cases, RESNET staff works with the provider to improve their performance. Administrative Probation This occurs when a provider’s activities have significant issues that can be improved. Corrective actions are identified which must be demonstrated to the satisfaction to RESNET staff. Disciplinary Probation This occurs when more serious issues are discovered. Rating Quality Assurance Providers who are placed on disciplinary probation are posted on the RESNET web site. Corrective action plans are submitted to RESNET staff and those corrective actions must be demonstrated to the satisfaction to RESNET staff. Suspension This takes place when there is a serious breach of RESNET standards. In this case the provider must cease its HERS® rating activities and demonstrate to RESNET staff that the provider has informed its clients of being suspended by RESNET. Providers who have been suspended are posted on RESNETs’ web site. Corrective actions are identified by RESNET staff that must be met in order to restore the provider’s accreditation. As a result of RESNET staff’s oversight in 2015 the following actions were taken with providers: Number of providers who had findings as result of RESNET staff quality assurance file review- 61 Number of providers placed on Administrative Probation as a result of RESNET staff quality assurance file review and compliance complaint resolution – 35 Number of providers placed on disciplinary probation as a result of RESNET staff quality assurance review and compliance complaint resolution – 2 Number of providers whose accreditation was suspended- 2
