Certified raters, who perform an on-site detailed analysis of a home, provide non-biased information by using a uniform set of guidelines to examine all aspects of home energy efficiency. Independent raters are also able to make recommendations to the builder to assure compliance with guidelines.

Independent verification provides significant benefits for builders, including:

• Fewer "call backs". Independent verification provides a higher level of certainty that the builder will not be called back due to unrealized energy cost savings, it also offers an additional independent inspection after construction to ensure appropriate installation of energy saving materials and equipment.
• Quality assurance. Independent home energy savings verification offers quality assurance to both the homeowner and the builder. Both can be assured of the energy savings that will be realized due to the investment.
• Marketing credibility. Providing consumers documentation, from a non-biased, independent inspector will result in increasing builder's credibility in their marketing efforts.

All too often poor installation practices cause housing failures. This costs the builders money in call backs and litigaion. It also costs the consumer in excessive energy bills and comfort problems. In most cases these problems could have been avoided through a visual and diagnostic inspection by a certified rater.  RESNET has posted examples of common housing failures that can have been caught through a third-party inspection.  The photos are organized into the following catagories:

• Ice Daming
• Improperly Installed Insulation
• Water Problems in Basements
• Improper Ducts
• Mold

National Registry of Accredited Rating Software Programs Posted on RESNET Web Site

The Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards require that all accredited rating providers must use a RESNET accredited energy rating software program.  The RESNET accreditation is to ensure that the rating software program complies with the national energy rating technical guidelines and passed BESTest.  Architectural Energy Corporation's REM/Rate and the Florida Solar Energy Center's EnergyGauge USA are the first software programs to be accredited.  For the national registry of accredited rating software programs click on http://www.natresnet.org/accred/software.htm.

New Accredited Rating Providers

+    Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems - West, Inc. (New Mexico)