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RESNET Proposes Amendments to National Home Energy Rating Standards

RESNET has submitted a set of proposed amendments to the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards for the standard amendment public review and comment process.

The proposed amendments are:

• Auxiliary Electric Energy of Ground Source Heat Pumps
  Proposed by the RESNET Technical Committee
  Since the adoption of the 2006 RESNET standards, auxiliary electric energy has been a minimum rated feature for fossil-fuel heating equipment. For comparable treatment, auxiliary electric energy that is required for the operation of ground-source heat pumps should be included as a minimum rated feature. This amendment provides guidance for treatment of auxiliary electric energy in the reference and rated homes when a ground-source heat pump is present. Furthermore, the current ARI/ISO standard 13256 that is used to test these devices specifically excludes any fan power required to move air through ducts (rated at 0 external static pressure).
• Rater Trainer and Quality Assurance Designee Professional Development
  Proposed by the RESNET Training and Education Committee
  Creates a more credible path for rater trainers and quality assurance designees to maintain their professional skills.
• Certified Home Energy Rater Professional Development
  Proposed by the RESNET Training and Education Committee
  Defines qualification as to who can conduct a Diagnostic Home Energy Survey.
• Minimum Skills and Knowledge Base Required for an Individual to Conduct a Diagnostic Home Energy Survey
  Proposed by the RESNET Training and Education Committee
  Creates entry into the rating field as part of work force deployment into the green economy.
• Rating Field Inspector Knowledge and Skills Set
  Proposed by the RESNET Training and Education Committee
  Defines qualification as to who can conduct a Diagnostic Home Energy Survey.

Public comments on all of the proposals will be accepted until May 13, 2009. To submit your comments, click here. Comments are posted real time and you will be able to review comments that were submitted by clicking here.

At the completion of the comment period, the RESNET Training and Education Committee will review the comments and revise the amendment where appropriate. The amendment will then be submitted to the Amendment Revision Committee that is composed of three representatives of the rating industry and three representatives of state energy offices. The RESNET Board will then consider the recommendations of the revision committee and vote on whether to adopt the amendments.