RESTalk

HVAC systems usually consume a large chunk of the energy in any home.

So, it follows that optimizing HVAC systems can lead to lower home energy consumption, hence a lower HERS score/better HERS rating.

But how are points awarded for a better-quality HVAC design and Installation?

Is there are better way than nameplate information?

Listen in as we chat with Wes Davis (ACCA) and Dean Gamble (EPA Energy Star Homes Program) as they discuss why the ANSI/RESNET 301 standard is being created and the lessons learned that resulted in development of that standard.

A major goal here is to significantly re-unify the process of doing a HERS rating and earning the ENERGY STAR.

We will discuss the current status of development, as well as the expected implementation timeline.

Heads up: raters may need a few more tools and training in this extension of their work, yet efforts are being made so the standard maximizing flexibility of execution. You'll also hear about a new, non-invasive system test for HVAC systems.

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]

Lately we hear a lot of buzz words in the home building community:

Sustainable. Healthy. Smart. Flexible.

What would it be like to actually execute on all these parameters?

All at once.

In one home.

Well KB Home did it in the KB Home Projekt!

Listen in to my conversation with Jacob Atalla, VP of Sustainability Initiatives with KB Home as he expands on KB's vision, strategies and execution of these 4 pillars.

From the offsite manufacturing of the panels and floor cassettes, to novel insulation materials, to the Google Assistant integrations of the 250 devices in the home that have unique IP address. KB Home has harnessed the tremendous brain power in collaboration with partners over an 18-month period that launched the Projekt Home at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV in January 2019.

Learn more at www.KBHomeProjekt.com

The KB Home ProjeKt breaks new ground in smart home building through innovative partnerships and cutting-edge technology that helps residents improve their physical and emotional health and well-being, and is designed to flex with the needs of its homeowners. Located in Inspirada, one of the bestselling master plans in the U.S. and a dynamic, connected and growing community, the KB Home ProjeKt is a short distance from the Las Vegas strip and CES, and is a full-scale, immersive home experience of "where tomorrow lives."

All disciplines in the building industry should come to the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: http://conference.resnet.us/

Learn more in person during the 2019 RESNET conference session on the KB Home Projekt.

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]

New horizons, new perspectives.

In today's episode our guests Tony Lisanti (Integral Building & Design, Inc.) and Chris McTaggart (The BER) discuss how HERS Raters should consider pursuing the ICC Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner certification.

On a timely note, you can learn more about training and testing for this going on just before the 2019 RESNET conference at this link: http://conference.resnet.us/

We hear about the synergy between code work and work of HERS raters, as well as details on the training content as Chris is an instructor on this topic.

We also discuss the business and career opportunities that await a Rater who has earned this certification.

You can learn more about the energy codes at https://codes.iccsafe.org/search/map

Find out about code adoption in your area on this website: http://energycodesocean.org/code-status/residential/ or the DOE website: https://www.energycodes.gov/

All disciplines in the building industry should come to the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: http://conference.resnet.us/

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]

It's the new year where we all set some goals and priorities for ourselves.

RESNET is no different and has set their goals and priorities for 2019.

In this episode Steve Baden, RESNET Executive Director, covers the programs and initiatives that are rolling out in 2019 and beyond.

From increasing consumer awareness and demand for ratings to sustaining and enhancing the quality of ratings RESNET is working hard to continue to be recognized as the Gold Standard for measuring and labeling home performance.

Two new aspects: The HERS Water Rating Index and the HVAC performance installation standard should be launching by the time of the 2019 annual conference.

2018 finished strong with ratings up by 10,000 over 2017, and growing engagement from more diverse and younger participants in the RESNET eco system.

All disciplines in the building industry should come to the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: http://conference.resnet.us/

Take special note that the early bird registration period is over January 24, 2019; so don't miss out on a $100 savings you are sure to put to better use in The Big Easy!

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]

Tune in to this episode where RESNET Executive Director, Steve Baden and staff member Emma Bennett give you the lay of the land for what should be the best conference of the year; the upcoming Annual RESNET Conference themed Going Forward Together.

From policy to pitot tubes, mega-trends to Mardi Gras; the over 100 conference sessions, 50 exhibitors, plus the local atmosphere of New Orleans will keep you both informed and entertained.

Not to mention the networking opportunities with over 700 colleagues and industry leaders and the new Town Hall forum with RESNET board and staff members.

All disciplines in the building industry should come to the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: www.conference.resnet.us/

Take special note that the early bird registration period is over January 24, 2019; so don't miss out on a $100 savings you are sure to put to better use in The Big Easy!

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]

Time for your annual checkup, RESNET!

So, open wide (your ears) and listen as we join RESNET staff members Laurel Elam, Scott Doyle and Billy Giblin for their insights into what is happening on the quality assurance front.

You will gain a clearer picture of how this experienced and thoughtful team engages on several levels with raters, providers and others to achieve the best possible product: a consistent HERS index rating.

Hear how the annual, online and infield reviews combine to shape the standards, and direct the education and communication aspects at RESNET.

Listen in as we hear of real-world experiences during the new infield QA reviews that are integral to this process.

We also note how RESNET, and especially this team, pays close attention to the business aspects of ratings to ensure that their collective efforts cause a high-quality service to be delivered without creating unnecessary burden.

Pros (and especially Realtors and Appraisers) in the building industry should consider attending the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: www.conference.resnet.us/

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]

What's the most effective way to conduct an energy rating on a multifamily building?

Join us as Gayathri Vijayakumar (Steven Winter Associates, Inc.) discusses the efforts of a dedicated group of individuals that has moved multifamily building energy ratings from guidelines to become a part of the existing HERS standards 301 and 380.

We also learn of Gayathri's passion for her work, her love of solar, and what has driven her career to this point at Steven Winter Associates.

You will gain a clearer picture of how standards are made and most importantly, updated regularly through research and public comment.

Learn about what constitutes a multifamily building and how some of the assessments and tests are performed.

You can learn more about the standards at RESNET's website: http://www.resnet.us/professional/standards

And keep up to date with pending standards amendments here: http://www.resnet.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/RESNET-Pending-Standard-Amendments-3-28-18-Completed.pdf

Gayathri offers her email address for you to get in touch, [email protected], and you may also run into her at the RESNET conferences.

Some of the people that devote many hours helping to develop and improve these standards are:

RESNET Multifamily MFWG (2013-2014):

Ted Leopkey (Group Chair), EPA

Ben Adams, MaGrann Associates

James Brauer, U.S. Eco Logic/TexEnergy Solutions,

Brian Christensen, NORESCO,

Krista Egger, Enterprise Community Partners,

Dave Epley, DC DCRA,

Patrick Fitzgerald, NYSERDA,

Asa Foss, U.S. Green Building Council,

Bruce Harley,

Abe Kruger, SK Collaborative,

Scott Lee, Southface,

Ted Leopkey, formerly with U.S. EPA,

Ken Owens, Jr. Franklin Energy,

Matt Root,

Rob Salcido,

Brian Stanfill, MaGrann Associates,

Gayathri Vijayakumar, Steven Winter Associates,

Meghan Walsh, USDA,

Li Ling Young, VEIC

RESNET MFSC – June 2016 to August 2017

RESNET Multifamily Sub-Committee & Task Group members:

Thiel Butner, Pando Alliance,

Brian Christensen, NORESCO,

Rebecca Hudson (committee ViceChair), EPA,

Asa Foss (USGBC),

Paul Gay (US Eco-Logic),

Bruce Harley,

Matthew Root

Brian Stanfill (MaGrann)

Bob Grindrod (TRC),

Joel Williams,

Troy Maharg (TexEnergy),

Chris Mc Taggart (BER),

Gary Nelson (Energy Conservatory),

Sean Denniston (NBI)

Gayathri Vijayakumar (committee Chair), Steven Winter Associates,

Pros (and especially Realtors and Appraisers) in the building industry should consider attending the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: www.conference.resnet.us/

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]

You may know ventilation fan performance is dependent on several factors, yet some of these factors may surprise you.

In this episode, we speak with Russell Pope, Industry Development Manager for Panasonic and learn the intricacies involved in delivering proper ventilation in a residential setting.

Russell educates us as to the evolution of ventilation fans, including test protocols to insure proper performance of the fan unit itself. We also hear about the differences in the approach to ventilation and filtration outside of the US, as well as what's happening with kitchen ventilation and the impact of produced sound levels on equipment usage.

He also educates us as to the importance of proper installation, venting, vent terminations and testing to insure installed performance. He notes an important study on vent cap (duct end terminations) performance by David Escatel (Texas A&M) which may be found at link: www.bit.ly/VentPerf

Russell shares with us his background and passion for the work he does which includes a lot of education and training. You can reach Russell at [email protected]

Here are some helpful links that Russell wishes to share:

Daniel Escatel Thesis on Duct End Terminations

http://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2011-05-9399

Duct Friction Loss Calculator

http://www.freecalc.com/ductloss.htm

Home Ventilating Institute Certified Products Directory

https://www.hvi.org/proddirectory/CPD_Reports/section_1/index.cfm

Panasonic Ventilation Products –

https://na.panasonic.com/us/home-and-building-solutions/ventilation-indoor-air-quality/

Pros (and especially Realtors and Appraisers) in the building industry should consider attending the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: www.conference.resnet.us/

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]

When will there be a tipping point in the common use of energy ratings for homes?

Join us as David Heslam (Earth Advantage) and Ryan Meres (RESNET) discuss how they are teaming up to seamlessly deliver Home Energy Ratings information to the real estate community.

Listen in as David describes his career journey from builder, to green builder, then into education and research in the housing market.

We discuss the inner workings of how the RESNET database interfaces with the National Green Building Registry which can then be pulled into the regional MLS (Multi-List Service), with the click of "one big GREEN button."

Ryan describes how RESNET is making this happen by running a pilot program in Portland, Oregon, David's hometown.

David notes, there is a tremendous opportunity for the real estate community to serve a need: as 71% of consumers value green home attributes, yet only 35% of real estate professionals feel comfortable discussing them.

We cover some of the resources real estate pros can use to become better educated.

You can learn more at David's website www.EarthAdvantage.org or at the registry: www.GreenBuildingRegistry.com

David offers his email address for you to get in touch, [email protected], as he travels coast to coast inspiring many communities who are interested in the work being done in Portland.

You can also look David up on LinkedIn and to find a comprehensive slide deck on how all the bits and pieces of this process work together.

Pros (and especially Realtors and Appraisers) in the building industry should consider attending the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: www.conference.resnet.us/

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]

How can HERS raters influence the development of the IECC? (International Energy Conservation Code)

Join us as Eric Makela of the New Buildings Institute (www.NewBuildings.org) takes us on a journey through the world of energy codes.

Eric is the perfect tour guide, as he has spent the last 30 years training on this topic to practitioners in the building, design and enforcement industries in a variety of venues in over 20 states.

We learn of the work NBI does and how they're involved in code development. Eric also covers some the states and jurisdictions where more advanced or stretch codes are being implemented.

He also illustrates the steps involved in the code update process and what organizations/groups are involved. We also learn how Zero Net Energy and renewables factor in to all the codes.

We also cover changes that have been put in place for the 2018 code and what he believes are future themes for next code update in 2021.

Pros in the building industry should consider attending the annual conference which will be held in New Orleans, LA Feb 25-27, 2019 more info at: www.conference.resnet.us/

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]