RESNET NOTES. July 2003

Transcription

1 RESNET NOTES July 2003 The Residential Energy Services Network s (RESNET) mission is to improve the energy efficiency of the nation s housing stock and to qualify more families for home ownership, by expanding the national availability of mortgage financing options and home energy ratings. For more information RESNET at info@natresnet.org. Visit RESNET s home page site at: ************************************************************************************************************ RESNET Adopts Rating Code of Ethics The accredited home energy rating providers of the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) are committed to providing quality and professional services to their customers and the public. On June 6, 2003, the RESNET Board of Directors adopted the Rating Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics sets forth principles and rules of conduct enforced by RESNET through specific procedures contained in its Accreditation Standards. RESNET accredited rating providers are responsible for informing their certified raters of the code and enforcing the code s provisions. The code covers the following principles: Professional conduct Representation of services and fees Conflicts of interest The draft of the code was vetted by all accredited rating providers and other representatives of the rating industry. As part of its national rating standards amendment process, RESNET will be shoring up its rating quality assurance procedures. This will include: Establishment of an ethics committee to investigate violations of the ethics code. Adoption of a set of Rating Standards of Practice. Development of a disclosure form for raters on financial interest in the home being rated. Adoption of minimum standards for internal quality assurance procedures for rating providers. Adoption of a process for external rating quality assurance procedures. For information on the RESNET standards amendment process click on The RESNET Rating Codes of Ethics is included in this issue of RESNET Notes.

2 RESNET Needs Your Ideas for Sessions to be Offered at the 2004 RESNET Conference RESNET would like your input on sessions that should be offered at the 2003 RESNET Conference. The theme of the 2004 RESNET Conference is "Planning for Success, Delivering Quality". The 2004 RESNET Conference will address the emerging opportunities and challenges facing the home energy rating industry. Please sessions/speakers you would like to see offered at the 2004 RESNET Conference to by August 1, Evaluation of Ohio Rating Sampling Pilot Posted on RESNET s Web Site In 1991, RESNET, the Ohio Department of Development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Fannie Mae Columbus Partnership Office entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to undertake a pilot project in the Columbus, Ohio area to test the accuracy of the sampling of ratings. The objectives of the pilot project included: Assessment of the technical merits of the sampling protocol Identification of quality control procedures that should be used in conjunction with sampling Comparison of the costs of implementing a sampling protocol to that of rating all of the homes. Under the pilot project Paul Rimelspach of Energy Designed Homes and Don Michael Jones of Residential Building Analysis recruited the production builders to participate in the project, complete the energy ratings and administer the sampling protocol. One hundredtwenty-eight homes built by two builders were included in the sampling project Upon completion of the pilot project, the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy Efficiency contracted with Quantec, LLC to evaluate the project. The evaluation included: Site visits of 80 homes that were rated under the pilot sampling project Fuel use analysis of rated and sampled homes Interviews with the parties that entered into the Memorandum of Agreement, participating builders, and the owners of the ENERGY STAR rated homes. The evaluation found that, sampling can provide reliable verification that homes meet the ENERGY STAR standards. All rated and sampled homes that were audited by the Quantect team met or exceeded these standards. Further, rated and sampled homes exhibited similar energy consumption levels as analyzed over a full year, a heating season, and for peak month consumption. The study identified the following factors necessary to produce accuracy in a sampling protocol: The baseline analysis must result in a home design that would meet the ENERGY STAR standards under the worst-case conditions. All sampled homes were designed to meet a minimum score of The builder must have a strong commitment to build and achieve the ENERGY STAR standard. The experience of the rater conducting the sampling protocol must far exceed that of a typical rater.

3 The report concludes with the following recommendations that a national sampling protocol should contain: Required skills, characteristics, or training for builders and raters as well as guidelines for oversight by the local rating provider. Criteria for builder to qualify for a sampling protocol. Establish a method for sampled selection. An explicit policy for handling rating failures. RESNET is currently working with EPA on revising he ENERGY STAR sampling protocol. The Ohio evaluation is posted on RESNET s web site at Kansas Enacts 2003 IECC and Incorporates Ratings into Code Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius recently signed into law HB 2131, that adopts the 2003 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for commercial and residential buildings. The law also recognizes a rating of 80 or more from a RESNET accredited rating provider for demonstrating compliance to the code. Sunflower State builders must disclose to home buyers whether their homes comply <to> with the energy code. The legislation went into effect on July 1, It makes Kansas the first state in the nation to adopt the 2003 version of the IECC and the sixteenth state to incorporate ratings as a compliance option. RESNET has posted the portion of the Kansas legislation that recognizes RESNET accredited ratings on its web site at: Sign Up Now To Become a 2004 RESNET Conference Supporter 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 RESNET Conference presents an exciting opportunity to boost the movement toward market-driven residential energy efficiency initiatives. You can show your organization s leadership in this effort by being a 2004 RESNET Conference supporter or exhibitor. Your organization can support the 2004 RESNET Conference through the following options: Conference Sponsor Conference sponsorships are $5,000 and offer premier recognition in all conference publicity and program information included in the conference packet. A complimentary conference exhibit booth and two complimentary conference registrations are included as well. Conference Supporter Conference supporters are $1,000 and offer recognition in all conference publicity and one complimentary conference registration. Conference Exhibitor - Conference exhibitors are $750 and offer booth space at the Conference exhibit room and one complimentary conference registration. Combo Supporter/Exhibitor Package Combo/Exhibitor Packages are $1,500 and offer recognition in all publicity, booth space and two complimentary conference registrations. To become a 2004 RESNET supporter, please down load the registration at complete the form and fax it to RESNET at 760-

4 For more information on the 2004 RESNET Conference go to National Radio Program Airs the Message on the Benefits of Home Energy Ratings and Energy Mortgages The nationally syndicated radio program The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show recently focused on the benefits of home energy ratings and energy mortgages. The program featured an interview with Allison Tribble of the Alliance to Save Energy. What is involved in a home energy rating, the benefits to a consumer, and how an energy mortgage can be used to finance the cost-effective energy upgrades recommended by the rating were explored in an entertaining manner by the show s hosts Mary Barretta and Tom Kraeutler. Special interest was focused on diagnostic testing and how valuable information is provided by a blower door test. Energy mortgages were lauded; show host Tom Kraeutler commented that It is nice to see that banks will award us for doing the right thing. The program is broadcasted on radio stations coast to coast. It is estimated that over a million persons were reached by the program. To listen to the home energy rating segment click on then click on the first hour segment of the June 7, 2003, program. Scroll your audio player to 23 minutes into the segment. Allison Tribble credits her knowledge on home energy ratings and energy mortgages from the rater training that she received from the Southface Energy Institute that was sponsored by the Maryland Energy Administration. REALTOR MAGAZINE ONLINE FEATURES GREEN BUILDING, ENERGY EFFICIENT MORTGAGES AND HOME ENERGY RATINGS In May REALTOR MAGAZINE ONLINE posted a feature on the market value of green building, energy efficient mortgages, and home energy ratings. The feature was Selling Green, Environmentally Sensitive Homes Aren t Just for Tree Huggers and was written by Patricia Stahl. The feature concludes, While still a minor segment of the 12 million homes built during the decade, rising energy costs and concerns about environmental degradation -- as well as more and more municipal code requirements -- are transforming what was once a curiosity into a mainstream phenomeon.... The feature includes What is Green Housing?, Selling and Making the Case for Green, How Energy Efficient Mortgages Work, and Energy Rating System. REALTOR magazine is the publication of the National REALTORS Association. Down load the feature at

5 Rating Code of Ethics STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The accredited home energy rating providers of the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) are committed to providing quality and professional service to their customers and the public. This Code of Ethics sets forth principles and rules of conduct enforced by RESNET through specific procedures contained in its Accreditation Standards. This Code of Ethics is a national minimum standard applicable to all accredited RESNET Rating Providers, their Raters and their representatives. The RESNET Code of Ethics may be superseded by a more stringent ethics code required by an individual Rating Provider, or by any other authority under whose jurisdiction rating services are being provided. PRINCIPLE 1: PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Raters shall commit to objectivity and neutrality in conducting a rating and in making any recommendations. Raters shall commit to participate in a Quality Assurance program as required by RESNET. Raters shall not engage in any conduct that is detrimental to the reputation or the best interests of RESNET or the home energy rating industry. Raters shall refrain from making derogatory comments regarding other Raters or other persons involved in the home energy rating profession. Raters shall report violations of this Code or other concerns regarding the professional conduct of other Raters to the RESNET Executive Director for review and possible remedial action. Raters shall at all times remain in good standing with the accreditation and certification requirements applicable to their business and professional activities in accordance with Chapter One of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards. Raters shall at all times comply with the technical standards and procedural requirements applicable to their business and professional activities in accordance with the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards. Raters shall not disclose information concerning the rating for a specific home to parties other than the client or the client s agent without the written permission of the client or the client's agent except to report to the Rating Provider for the purposes of registration, certification or quality assurance. Raters shall commit to ongoing professional development and education as established by the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards to advance their knowledge, education, training, and experience, so that customers and the public can

6 be assured of receiving competent and reliable services from home energy raters. PRINCIPLE 2: REPRESENTATION OF SERVICES AND FEES Raters shall make no representations regarding their services or qualifications that are false or misleading in any material respect. Raters shall fully disclose all applicable charges, as well as the general scope and deliverables of services, prior to conducting a home energy rating or providing other services. Raters shall not inspect for a fee any property in which the Rater, or the Rater s company, has any financial interest or any interest in the transfer of the property. Raters shall disclose in writing any compensation or commission to or from other parties dealing with their client in connection with work for which the Rater is responsible. PRINCIPLE 3: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Raters shall avoid conflicts of interest with regard to their professional activities and financial interests. When a Rater becomes reasonably aware that an actual or potential conflict of interest exists, the Rater shall not provide services until full disclosure has been made to the client and Rating Provider, and the conflict is waived in writing by the parties. Raters shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service without the consent of all interested parties. Raters shall inform their clients that they have the right to obtain competitive bids for any work to be performed on a home by the Rater or Rating Provider. Raters shall not allow an interest in any business to affect the results of the rating.