Energy Star Homes America

What's New At RESNET - February 2004

President Urges Passage of National Energy Bill In State of the Union Address

In his State of the Union address, President Bush called upon Congress to pass the stalled national energy legislation. The President stated, "I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy." The President, however, offered no specific solutions to breaking the impasse in the Senate.

According to Reuters News Agency, Republican congressional leaders are counting on the recent cold snap in the Northeast and the current raising natural gas prices to have the propose legislation move.

In another move, Reuters reports that Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) has pledged up to six additional votes for the energy bill which would put it over the top if the Republicans agree to drop the MTBE liability shield. So far, the Republican leadership has not responded to Daschle's offer.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Republican Senate leadership is planning to bring the energy legislation to floor by the beginning of March.

The residential tax credit provisions are posted at: www.natresnet.org/taxcredit/Energy_Tax_Policy_Act_of_2003.pdf

Proposed Amendments to National Home Energy Rating Standards Posted on RESNET Web Site

RESNET has spent the last two years in soliciting proposals for changes to the national home energy rating standards, drafting a set of proposed amendments, and vetting the key proposals to the key stake holders. RESNET's Rating Standards Amendment Drafting Committee has completed its work and the amendments to the standard that are being proposed are posted on RESNET's web site. To down load the proposed amendments click on http://www.natresnet.org/amend/default.htm

After a review period RESNET will undertake a public comment process on the proposed amendments. The following is the time line for the public review, public comment, and amendment adoption process:

January 26, 2004 - Public review process begins

March 3, 2004 - Forum on proposed changes takes place at the 2004 RESNET Conference

March - April - Public Comment Process

July, 2004 - RESNET adopts amendments

The forum on the amendments at the 2004 RESNET Conference will be a key to understanding the issues involved with the proposed amendments. In addition to the forum there will be sessions dedicated to the key issues of aligning the rating reference home to the IECC; rating quality assurance procedures; incorporating lighting, appliances, and on-site energy production in the rating score; and insulation quality inspection procedures. The sessions and schedule for the conference is posted at http://www.natresnet.org/conference/2004/sessions.htm You can register for the conference on-line by clicking on http://www.natresnet.org/conference/2004/registration.htm

Session on Insulation Inspection Procedures Added to 2004 RESNET Conference

The degradation of the performance of insulation when it is not installed according to industry standards and manufacturer recommendations (i.e. density, thickness, voids and gaps, compression) has been well documented. For example, a 2% gap area in insulation rated at R-38, based on U x A, results in a net performance of only R-27. Come find out about the proposed amendment to the HERS standard that finally gives a standardized method to inspect insulation for compromised performance and to handle modeling of insulation that is not installed properly. Learn why insulation gaps and other defects affect performance more than most people think and understand what the proposal means in practice for the HERS rating and inspection process.

This session will be offered on Monday, March 1 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. The presenter will be Bruce Harley, Technical Director of the Conservation Services Group.

Register Now for the 2004 RESNET Conference

The RESNET Conference is the premier national forum on home energy ratings, residential energy efficiency financing, and building performance business development. The 2004 RESNET Conference will bring together the national experts on home energy ratings, energy mortgages, and high performance homes from across the nation. The conference will take place on March 1 - 3, 2004 at the Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina in San Diego, California.

The 2004 RESNET Conference will address the emerging opportunities and challenges facing the home energy rating industry. Sessions will explore the opportunities and share strategies for meeting the growing demand for rating services while maintaining the quality of our services. Sessions will include:

Tax Credits for Residential Energy Efficiency
New Directions for the Rating Industry
Rating Technical Issues
Innovative Business and Marketing Strategies
Financing
Energy Code Compliance

RESNET has posted the listing of sessions that will be offered at this year's conference and the conference's schedule at www.natresnet.org/conference/2004/sessions.htm

The bios of the Conference's sessions presenters are posted at http://www.natresnet.org/conference/2004/bios.htm

There will be limited seating available for the 2004 RESNET Conference. Register now and take advantage of the "early bird" discount. You can register on-line by clicking on www.natresnet.org/conference/2004/registration.htm

RESNET has reserved a block of rooms at the Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina for a special conference rate of $139 per night. To secure the special conference rate reservations must be made by February 9, 2004. To make your reservations call 1-800-566-2524. Please identify your reservation as being under the RESNET rate.

2004 RESNET Conference Special Sessions

This year's RESNET Conference will be even more valuable with the addition of special sessions during the conference. These sessions are:

Pre-Conference - Sunday, February 29

REM/Rate Advanced User Workshop
This session is specifically designed for those who have previous experience using Architectural Energy Corporation's REM/Rate home energy rating software. The session will be led by David R. Roberts, P.E, a Senior Engineer at AEC who has been involved with development of REM/Rate for over 12 years. The session will cover some of the more obscure, yet powerful features of the software -- batch processing, customizing reports, data output options, library management, and more. If you've always had the feeling that you're not using REM/Rate to it full potential, of if you have specific questions about the software, you shouldn't miss this session.

How to Start and Operate a Successful Energy Mortgage Service Company
The key to success for tapping the existing homes market has been energy mortgage service companies. A number of businesses in California have developed successful business and marketing plans that have spurred the demand for energy improvement mortgages. This workshop provide the fundamentals of setting up and operating a successful and profitable energy mortgage service company from a firm that has done it in the real world.

Special Lunch Break Sessions

"Advance Rater Certification": An Idea Whose Time has Come
This special session will be a follow up to the ""Stairway to Heaven"": Advanced Rater and Trade Contractor Certification Programs break out session. This session will further discuss whether RESNET should develop an advanced rater certification program and form a task force to study the issue and make a recommendation to the RESNET Board. Get on the "ground floor" on this issue. Grab your box lunch on the Tuesday lunch break and be ready to provide your input on this issue.

"Brown Bag With Fannie Mae"

This special session will present to poise your questions and present your suggestions to Michelle Desiderio of Fannie Mae on the Fannie Mae energy efficient mortgage product.

Industry Forum on Proposed Changes to the National Home Energy Rating Standards
Because of the importance of the amendments and their potential effect on the rating industry on Wednesday afternoon of the 2004 RESNET Conference, RESNET will sponsor an industry forum on the proposed changes. Come attend and learn of the key changes proposed and answer any questions that you may have prior to the amendment''s comment period.

Fannie Mae Adopts Policy on Rater Financial Interest in Home Being Financed Through Energy Mortgages

Fannie Mae has adopted a new policy on rater financial interest in the home that is being energy rated.

In 2003 the RESNET Board of Directors has adopted a Home Energy Rating Standard Disclosure form for raters to disclose their financial interest in the home that is being energy rated. The disclosure form is posted on RESNET's web site at http://www.natresnet.org/disclosure/default.htm

Fannie Mae has made the determination that the energy rater must complete and provide to the home owner or buyer the RESNET Home Energy Rating Standard Disclosure for all homes that will be financed with the Fannie Mae energy efficient mortgage product. Fannie Mae has further determined that raters who are either the builder, developer, or an employee of the home can not rate the home that is being financed with the energy efficient mortgage.

The adoption of a policy defining what rating financial interests will be prohibited in a Fannie Mae energy efficient mortgage product will serve to increase the mortgage industry's credibility in the home energy rating providing the energy verification for the mortgage. RESNET adopted a standard financial disclosure form to allow program sponsors such as Fannie Mae easily define what financial interest conflicts with their program.

Fannie Mae's new policy only effects Fannie Mae energy efficient mortgage products. Builders, developers, or their employees who are certified as raters can still rate their homes for verification of such programs as EPA ENERGY STAR Homes Program.

Updates to RESNET's Web Site:

February Member News

+ California Energy Commission Adopts Policy to Promote Energy Mortgages

+ 14th Annual Minnesota Energy Design Conference & Expo to Focus on RESNET and Energy Mortgages

+ Job Opportunity - Building Energy Codes Project Manager

+ 2004 Affordable Comfort Conference to Features Special RESNET Session

+ Solutions for Success: New York's ENERGY STAR for Homes 2004 Conference

+ U.S. Department of Energy's Inventions and Innovations Program

+ National Green Building Conference

+ Greening the Heartland 2004: Beyond Sustainability

+ 15th Global Warming International Conference and Expo

View these news features at http://www.natresnet.org/news/mn2004-02.htm

Renewed Accredited Rating Providers

+ DPIS Engineering

+ D.R. Wastchack, LLC

+ E-Star Colorado

+ Energy Designed Homes

+ Energy Rated Homes of Utah

+ Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems

+ Lincoln Electric System

+ Nebraska Home Energy Rating System

+ New Hampshire Electric Cooperative

+ Northeast Utilities

+ Southface Energy Rated Homes

+ Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Accredited Rating Providers Renewals Pending

+ American Energy Advisors

+ Building Peformance Contractors Association

+ C&C Engineering

+ Conservation Services Group

+ Energy Checkup

+ Energy Rated Homes of Mississippi

+ Energy Rated Homes of Oregon

+ Energy Rated Homes of the South

+ Energy Rated Homes of Utah

+ EnergySmiths

+ Foundations 4 Energy

+ Home Energy Concepts

+ HORIZON - Residential Energy Services

+ Idaho Gem Stone Rating Program

+ Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies

+ Shelter Source

+ TREATratings.com

+ Tucson Electric Power Company

View these updates at http://www.natresnet.org/accred/registry.htm

Renewed Accredited Rater Training Providers

+ E-Star Colorado

+ Northeast Home Energy Ratings Alliance

+ Southface Energy Institute

View these updates at http://www.natresnet.org/accred/training.htm

Renewed Accredited Rating Software Programs

+ E-Star Colorado

+ TREAT

View these updates at http://www.natresnet.org/accred/software.htm

Renewed Accredited BOP Providers

+ Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative

View this update at http://www.natresnet.org/bop/accredited.htm

New RESNET Members

+ AB3 Energy

+ Builder Homesite, Inc.

+ Enercomp, Inc.

+ Hughesco, Inc.

+ Itron, Inc.

+ JnL Tabs

+ US Home Energy Rating & Inspection Services

+ Weatherization Systems

View these new members listings at http://www.natresnet.org/dir/members/default.htm

Directory Of Certified Raters

Updated listings for:

+ Alaska

+ Indiana

+ Kentucky

+ Ohio

+ Nevada

+ Pennsylvania

+ Texas

+ Washington

+ West Virginia

View these updates at http://www.natresnet.org/dir/raters/default.htm

NOT A MEMBER OF RESNET?

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RESNET is your information source on the latest developments in the dynamic field of residential energy efficiency financing. Residential energy efficiency and housing industry professionals find RESNET Notes as an indispensable tool for planning and implementing home energy rating, energy mortgage, and market-drive residential energy efficiency programs. Join RESNET today!

You can join RESNET on-line at http://www.natresnet.org/inside/membership.htm