RESTalk

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.

For, indeed, that's all who ever have."

- Margaret Mead

Winning national housing awards year after year, comes with focused effort.

However, the efforts put forth by Thrive Home Builders are NOT focused on winning awards.

What are the simple concepts that Thrive executes so well that have put them in such a special group and allowed them to flourish (or thrive)?

What advice does Thrive have for builders who wish to start the journey to high performance and even Net Zero homes?

Our guest today is Gene Myers who founded GreenTree Homes in the Denver area in 1992, well before green was a thing. Under his leadership the company has grown into the very successful and award winning Thrive Home Builders.

Gene has developed this award-winning green building program to meet the highest standards of LEED®, Indoor airPLUS, Zero Energy Ready Homes and Energy Star®.

In 2020, Thrive also achieved the lowest average HERS score (26.9) in the country for a builder completing more than 50 homes.

Recognized as 2019's EPA Indoor airPLUS Leader of the Year, Thrive tells potential customers they "can breathe easy knowing their Thrive home was built to the highest health standards with superior air quality."

Gene has created a recipe for success that he shares with us in this conversation.

One of the key points is education, first of his team, then of his customer.

He uses the resources of programs, and his HERS rater in this continuum of education.

To learn more about Thrive Home Builders visit their website: www.ThriveHomeBuilders.com

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible."

- Tony Robbins

Each year RESNET develops their list of priorities to tackle.

A specific four-step process is used which engages both the board and staff.

Where did this process (which started in August 2020) lead to for 2021?

How do the essential activities goals and priorities all work together in a cohesive fashion?

Steve Baden gives us an overview of the RESNET priorities for 2021.

You'll want to listen in to hear the process used, the outcomes, and the big three takeaways for 2021.

RESNET focuses on transparency and credibility in achieving its goals.

You can learn more about the activities, goals, and priorities in noted in an easy to digest infographic found here:

https://www.resnet.us/articles/2021-resnet-essential-activities-goals-and-priorities/

At the time of the recording the RESNET 2021 virtual conference had yet to occur.

You can still log in for register to access well over 100 hours of amazing conference content at this link:

https://resnet.virtualbyvario.com/

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser."

-John W. Gardner

Each year a new President of the RESNET board of directors takes the helm.

A President brings their own background and experiences to bear upon the role.

How do decades of experience in building, while documenting millions in construction defects, lead someone to take on a leadership role such as this?

John Hensley shares with us the priorities as the 2021 Board President for RESNET.

He first takes us on a journey of his past career experience to shed light on what drove him to become a rater in the first place and why he has decided it is important to take on this role as president.

John also shares how much the blood of construction runs in his family and the changes he has seen over his lifetime in RESNET and in the construction industry in general.

Connect with John by email: [email protected] or via his website: www.bpconsultingsolutions.com

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"Leadership is not about the next election, it's about the next generation"

-Simon Sinek

2020 was both a notable and challenging year in so many ways.

Beyond everyone learning how to Zoom (and Zoom becoming a verb) the election of 2020 is sure to go down in history.

What impact did the 2020 election have on RESNET's future-oriented mission to make the energy use for all homes transparent?

(THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED IN MID-DECEMBER 2020)

In today's podcast we are joined by Carl Chidlow, a registered federal lobbyist and Steve Baden, Executive Director of RESNET as they again pull out the crystal ball to discuss what changes may come about in the world of Home Performance as a result of the 2020 Elections.

Carl and Steve help us understand the possibilities and probabilities of policy change that may happen with the slim majorities, negotiations and compromise we are likely to see.

Learn how there may be possible bipartisan consensus with an infrastructure bill and the belief that much change will come about through executive order and regulations.

We also discuss the implications of the recently passed extension of the 45L tax credit for builders.

Steve also notes the two new proposals forwarded to the new Administration and Congress. Both proposals encourage the energy use calculation as a factor in mortgage approval process

We discuss the cabinet nominees focus on a climate agenda and we learn about the potential impact that Gina McCarthy, the Energy Czar, can have on Home Performance. Carl also gives us his definition of Czar.

Carl and Steve describe what they found most surprising as they think back to RESTALK Episode 57 (first aired in September 2020) where we discussed the upcoming election.

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace;

making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.

-Charles Mingus

How in the world can you deliver an engaging conference in these pandemic times?

What kind of steps and measures must you take to make it awesomely simple and fun for attendees and exhibitors?

This kind of challenge requires creativity.

In todays' podcast we are joined by Emma Bennett and Steve Baden to learn about the creative and exciting changes in store for the RESNET 2021 Conference.

Since early in 2020, the team at RESNET has been planning this virtual event, actually an on-line experience.

This professionally executed, dynamic conference will be like two events under one roof:

- A 3-day, 3-hour live streaming event with key issues, from February 22 to 24, 2021.

- Plus, a library of about 100 prerecorded, 1-hour technical sessions housed in a virtual library accessible all through 2021!

There will be four session themes, really something for everyone:

New frontiers of RESNET

Building science, water efficiency and health

Steering energy programs and policy

Navigating finance and real estate

Exhibitors in the virtual exhibit hall will be able to focus on and reach specific types of attendees.

There's a chance for more attendees to come with bulk pricing for 5 or more attendees from the same organization.

There will be lots of fun events: work out classes, cocktail classes, on line chat forums for networking and more. The most active participants will be awarded prizes!

Please take note of the early bird deadline of January 15, 2021

Learn more by visiting the Conference website: www.resnet.us/conference

Or emailing [email protected] or [email protected]

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."

-Andy Warhol

Like so many businesses, activities, and organizations, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented adaptation. In which ways have RESNET Quality Assurance (QA) procedures been adapted and changed this year? What new techniques, methods, and procedures are being used to maintain the QA function?

We welcome back RESNET's QA Team - Laurel Elam, Billy Giblin, and Scott Doyle for an interactive overview of the QA team's activities during the past year. Much of the discussion focuses on how the pandemic has affected the QA Team's oversight of providers in 2020. We learn of the reactions to and the feedback received considering all of the flexibility allowed by RESNET's emergency policies. The team will give an overview of the QA standard changes that are anticipated to be coming in 2021 specifically addendum 30 to RESNET's standards. We close with some a feeling of pride for the broader housing industry which has remained so resilient. The RESNET QA Team remains available for technical assistance and technical questions at the following email addresses:

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water."

-Loren Eiseley

Wikipedia defines water as is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance which provides no calories or organic nutrients.

Yet water is vital for all known forms of life.

What role can builders, raters and providers play in the protection of this unique natural resource?

Seasoned water efficiency professional Jonah Schein from the US EPA joins Ryan Meres, Program Director at RESNET on the podcast to give us updates on the EPA WaterSense and HERS H2O programs.

We delve into how HERS H2O is used to achieve the WaterSense Label as well as discuss a recent RESNET/EPA Pilot Program for WaterSense v2.0.

We learn how the WaterSense Version 2.0 pilot has developed the necessary feedback on how to best support the building industry whilst ensuring that the needs of home buyers are met.

In the course of our discussion Ryan and Jonah reveal how raters, providers and builders can and should get involved in rating homes for water efficiency.

Ryan covers the eligibility, criteria and steps involved in becoming a HERS H2O Rater or Provider including the online training.

Tapping into Jonah's extensive background, we also explore the importance of water efficiency and conservation efforts.

For more information on the RESNET HERSH20 program, visit: https://www.resnet.us/about/hersh2o/

You'll find information on the EPA's WaterSense program at https://www.epa.gov/watersense

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"Data is the most valuable asset in the world."

-Brittany Kaiser

What does the builder market data tell us about trends in the adoption of HERS ratings?

What is the breakdown of companies that are recording ratings?

What role do the larger builders play in all of this?

We welcome back Ryan Meres, Program Director at RESNET to share with us some insights into why RESNET believes bigger builders will be requesting more HERS ratings in the future.

With nearly 240,000 HERS ratings recorded in 2019 by a little more than 6,000 home building, remodeling and development companies (50% more companies than 2018) Ryan describes some key trends that are on the move.

As he draws our attention to the top 20 builders we learn that they ordered more than 104,000 ratings which accounts for nearly 43% of all ratings last year.

Ryan also notes that many of the top 20 are publicly traded companies who are moving towards reporting on their environmental impact (i.e., CO2/greenhouse gases and water). HERS ratings can play a role in that reporting via Standard 301 and water ratings).

This falls in the category of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing or "sustainable investing" which seek long-term impact positive impact on society, environment and the performance of the business.

In our conversation, Ryan reveals these and more stories told by the data.

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected.

Sustainability is about survival.

The goal of resilience is to thrive."

-Jamias Cascio

Governments are struggling to prepare for hazards and other disaster events they face,

Communities cannot sustain in a chronic response mode.

What goes into making a community event disastrous?What planning tools or programs can be used to mitigate the impact?

How do building codes and other mitigating strategies allow them to get ahead of the situation?

We are joined today by Ryan Colker, VP of Innovation at the International Code Council who spends part of his time looking across the building industry to imagine how codes will be used in the future as well as the present. He brings to bear his diverse background on his work at the ICC.

We discuss the intersection of the many disciplines and activities in the building community which need to come together to insure resilience.

As the co-lead for the Resilient Building Coalition, Ryan gives us many insightful perspectives. For example, he shares the three core aspects necessary for housing to sustain approaching wildfires.

Disasters are shocks that tend to make the headlines, yet stresses (homelessness, a major employer leaving the community, climate change, etc.) are constantly grinding away to exacerbate shocks when they occur.

Learn more from the two white papers on how building codes impact and support resilience as part of the ICC resilience tool kit. www.bit.ly/Resilience-ToolKit

Ryan encourages HERS raters to learn to show the value of resilience strategies, most of which harmonize with health, safety and energy efficiency.

Ryan also shares with us some important links: The Insurance Institute Fortified program (www.ibhs.org/fortified), Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH: www.flash.org/), and Alliance for National & Community Resilience: (www.resilientalliance.org)

You can learn more about International Code Council at: www.icc.org

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]

"I think things happen for a reason."

-Dave Davies

Changes in consumer buying patterns and preferences are a constant topic in every market, especially housing.

How are the consumer sentiments changing due to disruptive technologies, yet alone the changes brought about in in a world dealing with a pandemic?

What are some of the new areas that building professionals and manufacturers need to learn about and act on?

Today's guest, Sara Gutterman, has some perspectives to share with us.

You see, Sara lives on a mountain, both physically and metaphorically.

From her home in Hinsdale County Colorado, where she is a County Commissioner, to the mountain of data that come from her entrepreneurial activities with Green Builder Media, Sara will outline for us some trends, as well as permanent changes that are impacting the building market.

Learn which demographic is the number one influencer is in the building market and what they are looking for. Sara also provides insights into how the pandemic is influencing both the residential and commercial building markets.

We discuss modular and panelized construction techniques as well as ADUs and a brilliant idea on how to repurpose excess commercial space. Stick around to the end to hear the about two key trends that need our attention.

You can learn more about Green Builder Media at www.GreenBuilderMedia.com

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at [email protected]