April 14, 2021 2-3 PM Eastern HERSH2O® and WaterSense 2.0: A National Program for Rating the Water Efficiency of New Homes with Ryan Meres (RESNET) Access presentation here. Access recording: https://vimeo.com/536962348 The availability of water is becoming an increasing concern for builders as communities are more and more reluctant to add to their delivery burden by granting new building permits. In response, RESNET made tremendous strides in 2020 after more than five years of water efficiency development work. In 2020, ANSI/RESNET/ICC 850 was published, the HERSH2O® Rater Training was launched, RESNET became the first WaterSense Home Certification Organization, and RESNET and EPA offered a pilot of WaterSense Version 2.0 using HERSH2O. Fresh on the heels of this successful pilot, WaterSense and RESNET are now ready to launch Version 2.0 of the WaterSense labeled homes program nationally. RESNET’s status as a WaterSense HCO and the structure of WaterSense labeled homes’ NEW version 2.0 makes HERSH2O® with WaterSense certification an easier addition to your portfolio than ever before. Less than three hours of training via the RESNET training portal is all it takes for raters or RFIs to expand their portfolio! From there, it becomes a cost-effective and flexible option. Under WaterSense labeled homes version 2.0, you can rely on HERSH2O® to provide feedback on cost-effective efficiency solutions and demonstrate that homes are meeting the WaterSense efficiency requirement. The efficiency requirement along with a simple and easy to meet mandatory checklist result in a water-efficiency, high-performing home with quantifiable savings. All it takes is a minimal amount of additional field verification/calculation which can typically be done in under an hour. Attend this webinar to learn how to start offering HERSH2O® ratings and the WaterSense label for your builders. May 5, 2021, 2-3 pm Eastern Effects of ANSI 310 on HERS® Index Scores with Scott Doyle (RESNET), Philip Fairey (Florida Solar Energy Center), and Scott Horowitz (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Access presentation here. Access recording here: https://vimeo.com/545636226 With the advent of ANSI/RESNET/ACCA 310, builders can lower their HERS® Index scores by demonstrating proper installation of HVAC systems, but by how much? This session explores the impact of HVAC grading on HERS® Index scores for different HVAC system types in different climate zones as well as oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse. Attendees will depart this webinar with a better sense of what to expect from HVAC grading in upcoming versions of RESNET accredited software as well as how RESNET’s Quality Assurance Plan will address the new rated features. June 16, 2021, 2-3 PM Eastern Using HERS® and HERSH2O® Data for Environmental Impact Reporting with Ryan Meres (RESNET) Access presentation here. Access recording: https://vimeo.com/564158312 Investors are increasingly looking at environmental, social, and governance factors in their investment decisions. RESNET’s Home Energy Rating System (HERS) provides builders with a built-in mechanism to report on the energy efficiency and carbon impacts of the homes they build. In addition, RESNET’s new whole-house water efficiency rating system, HERSH2O, now gives builders the opportunity to demonstrate the water savings of their homes. Both systems combine to demonstrate a builder’s positive environmental impact by having their homes rated by an independent third party for water and energy efficiency. Come to this session to learn how HERS® data is being used in environmental reporting and the role HERSH2O® can play in further demonstrating a builder’s commitment to reducing their environmental impact. June 16, 2021, 3:30-5 PM Eastern RESNET, the Northeast Home Energy Rating System Alliance (NEHERS), and One Tree Pledge Present “Tree Talk” Access presentation here. Access recording at https://vimeo.com/564170787 Can a commitment to sustainability be affordable? It can be at just $1 per newly planted tree. Learn how this program can be your easiest, most affordable tool ($1=1 tree) for fighting climate change, mitigating carbon emissions, and meeting your organization’s triple bottom line for the financial, social, and environmental performance of a company over time. Hosted by NEHERS® Board/Professional Development Chair Andy Buccino of Stephens & Company, this seminar will explore how the HERS, real estate, and building industries can become proactive leaders in the fight against climate change! And how joining the RESNET One Tree Pledge initiative to plant 300,000 trees will sequester 3 million pounds of carbon from the atmosphere annually. July 15, 2021, 3-4 pm Eastern RESNET HERS® Software Consistency Update with RESNET Energy Modeling Director Neal Kruis Access recording at https://vimeo.com/575535454 The intermediate RESNET’s Software Consistency Committee (SCC) has been working towards improving consistency in HERS® Index calculations across software tools for two years now. On this webinar, RESNET’s Energy Modeling Director (and SCC Chair) will provide an overview of the accomplishments of the committee and present a roadmap of strategic improvements to enforce greater accuracy (and, consequently, consistency) moving forward. August 11, 2021, 2-3 PM Eastern Why HERS® Raters Should Pursue the ICC IECC/HERS® Compliance Specialist Designation Access slides here. Access recording at https://vimeo.com/585949229 RESNET and the International Code Council (ICC) have collaborated to create the new ICC IECC/HERS® Compliance designation. The designation is for those RESNET certified HERS® Raters and Rating Field Inspectors (RFIs) who have passed the ICC Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner certification. So, what are the benefits to HERS® Raters and RFIs in pursuing the ICC IECC/HERS® Compliance Specialist Designation? Join us to learn how this certification by ICC- the association of code officials and other building safety and sustainability professionals-could help you gain credibility with code officials amidst the increasing need for energy code verification. Learn about the business opportunities available to broaden your portfolio of services and increase your HERS® marketability to code officials and builders. The presenters for this webinar will be Mark Johnson, Executive Vice President, Director of Business Development, International Code Council, RESNET Director of Quality Assurance Administration and Standards Laurel Elam and RESNET Programs Director Ryan Meres. September 9, 2021, 2-3 PM Eastern Owens Corning PINK Next Gen Fiberglas Register at this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/514023198709410829 Owens Corning PINK Next Gen Fiberglas is the next generation of insulation and will replace our entire portfolio in a rolling change through the second half of 2021. This new product addresses major industry needs around precision (speed), comfort, safety, and sustainability. This is our largest step forward since we invented fiberglass in 1938. Attend this webinar to hear more from Shawn Mullins and Trey McNamee of RESNET Suppliers Advisory Board Member Owens Corning as they discuss recent innovations in FiberglasTM technology and product features. October 20, 2021, 3 PM ET/2 PM CT What Texas House Bill (HB)3215 Means for Texas Building Professionals and HERS® Ratings Access recording at https://vimeo.com/637902154 Texas House Bill 3215 updated the state’s universal energy code compliance pathway to allow builders to use the HERS® Index for energy code compliance across the state, in lieu of the state energy code or any stretch code adopted by municipalities. This represents a new statewide opportunity for builders and their HERS® Rating partners to comply with the Texas Energy Code using the HERS® Index. Join us as we talk to Dallas Builders Association Executive Officer Phil Crone, Texas Association of Builders Regulatory Affairs Vice President Ned Muñoz, and Fox Energy Specialists Chief Operating Officer James Rodriguez on how this new legislation makes it easier for builders to use the RESNET HERS® Index for energy code compliance in Texas, and how other states can look to this legislative model, moving forward. Net-Zero Energy—Behind the Walls Thursday, October 27, 2021, 2-3 PM Eastern Access recording at https://vimeo.com/639678373 The number of homes achieving net-zero energy or net-zero ready HERS® scores has been increasing since RESNET started tracking all HERS® Ratings in its National Buildings Registry in 2013. In fact, the average HERS® Index score in 2020 was a 58—a five-point drop since 2013. This is an important trend as builders, energy codes and other energy policies push toward net-zero energy construction practices. Join this webinar to go behind the walls of HERS® Rated homes from 2020 to see how builders are achieving net-zero or net-zero ready homes. The presentation will explore various components from insulation to mechanical equipment to fuel types to the use of solar to demonstrate some key differences between a net-zero energy home and those that scored around the national average of 58. RESNET Study on Impact of Energy Efficiency on Veteran Administration Loans Thursday, November 18, 2021, 2-3 PM Eastern Register at this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7617388383737976847 As a benefit to our nation’s veterans, the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) administers the Veterans Home Loan program to assist those who have served our country with the ability to purchase and finance a home. Who better to be able to afford an energy-efficient home that has lower utility bills and is more comfortable, than our veterans who have served us so well? RESNET is advocating that the VA Home Loan program be modified to account for the energy savings of an energy-efficient home in the mortgage loan qualification process. To determine the impact that such a policy would have on the ability of veterans to buy a high-energy performance home, RESNET has published the report, “Impact of Energy Efficiency on VA Home Loans.” The report is based upon the analysis conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and mortgage finance industry veteran and expert, Robert Sahadi of GreenSpace Investment. This webinar will present the study’s findings. Habitat and the HERS® Index®: High Performance, Affordable Housing Thursday, December 9, 2021, 2-3 PM Eastern Access recording at https://vimeo.com/655103011 Habitat for Humanity has been building some of the most energy-efficient homes in the country, and there is data to share. Using both HERS® models and third-party verification programs like Zero Energy Ready Home™, ENERGY STAR®, and PHIUS+, Habitat affiliates are investing in long-term affordability through the reduced operation and maintenance costs of durable, efficient homes. Find out what methods and materials have been most successful, and learn how you can get involved with affordable, energy-conscious housing in your area. Join Molly Berg, Building Science Specialist, Habitat for Humanity International to hear more.
