RESTalk

The only source of knowledge is experience.

Albert Einstein

The message is clear, HVAC equipment is often the largest energy-consuming system in a home.

While listeners likely know about blower door and duct leakage tests, what impact do blower Watt draw and refrigerant charge on HVAC energy use?

What can we learn from an HVAC expert with so much experience?

Today's podcast continues down the technical trail with the last installment of a three-part series on cracking open the details of the ANSI/RESNET/ACCA/ICC Standard 310.

Previous podcasts covered the other aspects of this standard:

Episode 99 with Alex Meaney (MeanHVAC) on HVAC System design

Episode 105 with Steve Rogers (TEC) on Duct leakage and AirFlow

We are joined by Jim Bergmann, President of MeasureQuick and an HVAC system measurements and diagnostics expert.

Jim takes the listener on a deep, technical dive. He introduces us to the technology used to measure blower fan watt draw and refrigerant charge and the power of proper diagnostic methods and techniques.

After listening, you will better understand the "why and how" of getting these important parameters properly dialed in.

Here are some links related to today's podcast::

The written RESNET/ANSI/ACCA/ICC standard 310:https://www.resnet.us/wp-content/uploads/ANSIRESNETACCA_310-2020_v7.1.pdf

How Quality Installation Impacts Equipment: How RESNET Standard 310 helps:

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/06/f75/bbrn-peer-032620.pdf

A video on how to do the Non-Invasive System Test (checking charge without gauges):

https://youtu.be/gOzep_Ayyr0

Software that helps:

www.MeasureQuick.com

You can also reach our guest via email:

[email protected]

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

Passion provides purpose, but data drives decisions

Andy Dunn

What does CO2e mean?

What are the impacts of time and location on energy use and production?

How and why are we morphing from energy as a proxy for emissions?

We are joined on today's podcast by David Goldstein, Energy Co-Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and John Taylor, Deputy Director of The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) to discuss a new tool that RESNET has underdevelopment: The CO2e Index

The RESNET CO2e Rating Index is among the first in the world to more accurately estimate emissions by accounting for the hour of the day and month of the year at which electricity is consumed. And it uses the incremental effect that the building has on usable renewable energy and fossil fuel emissions, calculated over the long term.

David describes how a carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2 equivalent, abbreviated as CO2e, is used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global-warming potential (GWP) by converting amounts of other gases to the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide with the same global warming potential.

Since the RESNET HERS Index already looks at energy pattern usage by the hour of the year, it is a straightforward task to translate the energy profile into an emissions profile if you have the data that underlie these figures. John helps us understand these aspects of the model.

The new RESNET CO2e Rating Index allows one to calculate the comparative emissions of two houses. For example, you can look at the emissions from a new house with or without efficiency and solar to see how much changes like electrification and clean energy can help.

As a result of this, there are no changes to the RESNET HERS rating process - it is more a function of software changes.

Some links to press on this podcast's topic:

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/david-b-goldstein/new-tool-measuring-decarbonization

Link to a presentation from the 2020 Conference on this topic:

http://conference.resnet.us/data/energymeetings/presentations/Incorporating%20When%20Energy%20is%20Used%20in%20the%20HERS%20Index%20-%20Goldstein.pdf

You can reach our guests via email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

We must shift our thinking away from short term gain toward long-term investment and sustainability, and always have the next generations in mind with every decision we make..

Deb Haaland

What does it take to start a conversation on smaller homes in a community that traditionally bans them?

How can we collaborate to move the conversations to reality?

What can be learned when a real world project closely examines housing size, land area and energy use through the lenses of charity and sustainability?

Spencer Frye (State Rep House District 118 at Georgia General Assembly and Executive director for the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity ) and Jeremy Field (VP of Operations at Imery Ratings) join us to describe the background and execution of the Kinda Tiny Habitat House that was recently constructed in Athens, GA.

This house, a product of a design contest cosponsored by SK Collaborative and the Atlanta Branch of the USGBC is an example of a greener home, but it's also meant to start a conversation in Athens about zoning codes, according to Frye.

Listen in as we learn the details of how this project came about, the impact it has had in the community and the important role that the RESNET HERS rating process had in bringing this vision to fruition

Some links to press on this podcast's topic:

https://flagpole.com/news/news-features/2022/05/18/habitat-for-humanitys-new-affordable-housing-model-kinda-tiny-homes/

https://news.uga.edu/uga-student-designs-winning-kinda-tiny-home/

https://www.wuga.org/local-news/2022-04-27/athens-area-habitat-for-humanity-completes-kinda-tiny-homes

https://www.usgbc.org/articles/kinda-tiny-homes-deliver-huge-results-usgbc-georgia

https://www.athenshabitat.com/

You can reach our guests via email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

Simplicity is the outcome of technical subtlety.

It is the goal, not the starting point.

Maurice Saatchi

It's worth repeating that HVAC equipment is often the largest energy-consuming system in a home.

While listeners have likely run duct leakage and blower airflow tests, how did we arrive at the straightforward, almost simple test equipment and methods used today?

What is the science behind the tests?

Today's podcast continues down the technical trail with part two of a three-part series on cracking open the details of the ANSI/RESNET/ACCA/ICC Standard 310. We are joined by Steve Rogers, President of The Energy Conservatory and an expert in pressure and flow measurements.

Steve introduces us to the technology used to measure duct leakage and blower (air handler) airflow and the power of proper diagnostic methods and techniques.

Some of the educational resources mentioned may be found here: www.HVACairflow.com, which includes materials prepared by Ed Janowiak, Manager of HVAC Design Education for ACCA.

After listening, you will better understand the "why and how" of getting the duct leakage and blower airflow dialed in.

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

"Once something is a passion, the motivation is there."

Michael Schumacher

The Cross-Border Challenge is an annual event sponsored by RESNET and the Canadian Residential Energy Services Network (CRESNET) to recognize U.S. and Canadian builders who are pioneering the path to high-energy performance homes. CRESNET is RESNET's sister organization in Canada.

What are the key qualities embodied in the winner of the 2022 Cross-Border challenge?

What are the underlying philosophies, processes and passions that create homes that customers truly desire?

Today on RESTalk we are joined by Paul Erhardt, President and Stefan Orenda, Chief Technology Officer both of Mandalay Homes in Prescott Valley, AZ to learn about their award-winning business.

In addition to reviewing the entry and judging requirements for the award, we get a peek inside the processes and philosophies at play in Mandalay Homes; systems that create an award-winning business that truly delivers for their customers.

In 2021, Mandalay Home's winning score was an average HERS Index Score of 20.

Most importantly, Mandalay Homes is passionate about building homes that promote safety, health, comfort, style, reduced energy costs, and less environmental impact. We hear how Mandalay is committed to being an industry leader in innovation and thoughtful design while utilizing cutting-edge technology to create high-performance homes.

For more info on Mandalay: https://www.mandalayhomes.com/

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

"Positive attitude plus effort equals performance."

Tommy Tuberville

As we hear more about droughts, what is the impact on residential new construction?

Why did KB Home feel it was important to commit to the WaterSense label for all future home builds in Arizona, California, and Nevada?

How is KB Home using RESNET's HERSH2O water efficiency rating system to address water consumption without sacrificing performance for homeowners?

Jacob Atalla, VP of Innovation and Sustainability for KB Home joins us to discuss the important work is being done to create more water efficient homes using RESNET's HERSH2O water efficiency rating system.

We discuss the importance of water efficiency, the trends over time and the stakeholders that value water efficiency.

Jacob also shares the background on RESNET's HERSH2O water efficiency rating system, how it was created and how it is an easy "add" to the work performed by a HERS Rater.

Jacob helps us understand the long history of work KB Home has done and some of the awards they have received as a positive force in this area.

According to the US EPA, WaterSense labeled homes use at least 30% less water than a typical home and can save a household 50,000 gallons of water annually, on average.

To date, KB Home has built over 18,000 WaterSense labeled and Water Smart homes — more than any other homebuilder — and installed over 900,000 WaterSense labeled fixtures. The company estimates that these homes, together with the WaterSense labeled fixtures within them, conserve approximately 1.6 billion gallons of water annually.

We also touch on the water/energy nexus discovering that Las Vegas homes built by KB Home (as part of an EPA study) saw savings of an extra 1,100 kWh annually (beyond the savings estimated by the RESNET HERS rating alone) due to the overall water conservation, a portion of which is hot water conservation.

Learn more about RESNET's HERSH2O water efficiency rating system here: https://www.resnet.us/about/hersh2o/

Read about the KB Home WaterSense commitment to the Arizona, California, and Nevada housing markets.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220721005288/en/KB-Home-Becomes-First-National-Homebuilder-to-Commit-to-EPA%E2%80%99s-Highest-Water-efficiency-Standards-in-Drought-stricken-Arizona-California-and-Nevada

Hear more on the RESNET HERSH2O water efficiency rating system in three past episodes of RESTalk, EP50, EP79 and EP83.

https://restalk.libsyn.com/ep50-introducing-the-resnet-water-efficiency-rating-system-hersh2o-with-mark-johnson-icc-and-jacob-atalla-kb-home

https://restalk.libsyn.com/ep-79-california-dreamin-collaboration-between-resnet-and-california-rating-providers-on-hers-h2o-with-ryan-meres-and-russ-king

https://restalk.libsyn.com/ep83-why-raters-should-be-certified-for-hersh20-with-ryan-meres

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

"The hidden harmony is better than the obvious."

Heraclitus

Earlier this year RESNET was approved as a Home Certification Organization (HCO) for the California ENERGY STAR Homes Program by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What are the roots of this partnership with CalCERTS?

Who will benefit from this harmony?

What benefits will evolve for the parties involved?

We are joined today by David Choo, Director, Compliance at CalCERTS and Laurel Elam, Director of Quality Assurance and Standards at RESNET to get the details behind the fact that RESNET HERS index ratings are soon to be recognized in California.

We will learn why RESNET chose to do a pilot in California, what this means to CalCERTS and how it works.

Amongst several other topics of discussion, David will give us insights into the demand for this program and Laurel will discuss what an HCO is as well as how it relates to RESNET.

This episode will be of special interest to national production builders that build in California.

You can learn a more about the background of this topic in RESTalk Episode 79 entitled California Dreamin'

For more information about the California ENERGY STAR program requirements please email [email protected].

Also see this article on the RESNET site:

https://www.resnet.us/articles/resnet-hers-index-ratings-soon-to-be-recognized-in-california/

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

"Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It's about doing more good."

Jochen Zeitz

How is the topic of energy efficiency in new single-family homes addressed in the mortgage industry?

What pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) are at play in this system and who are the players?

We are joined on today's podcast by Simone Beaty who is the Director of Housing Policy with Freddie Mac.

Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to support the U.S. housing finance system and to help ensure a reliable and affordable supply of mortgage funds across the country.

Freddie Mac operates in the U.S. secondary mortgage market, buying loans that meet their standards from approved lenders. Freddie Mac then pools the mortgages it buys into securities, which they sell to investors around the world.

Drawing on her in depth experience in the financial services industry and strong finance related skills in housing policy strategies, Simone explains how Single-Family Green Mortgage Backed Securities support Freddie Mac's focus on financing energy efficiency in new and existing single-family homes.

These activities help to preserve home affordability over time and attract capital to promote sustainable activities through mortgage financing.

Simone shares with us data, statistics, and trends on topics such as remodeling and repairs, work from home impact, and solar installations. She describes the criteria necessary for qualifying mortgages including the minimum HERS score.

She notes the important impact of the increase in HERS ratings and how this helps more builders relate to more consumers the ties to sustainability that come from Home Energy Ratings.

To learn more about FreddieMac's Single Family Green Bonds go to this link:

https://capitalmarkets.freddiemac.com/mbs/green-sfmbs

Or download this framework document: https://capitalmarkets.freddiemac.com/mbs/docs/Freddie_Mac_SF_Green_Bond_Framework.pdf

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

"Passion is what gives meaning to our lives.

It's what allows us to achieve success beyond our wildest imagination.

Try to find a career path you have a passion for."

Henry Samueli

The RESNET ecosystem continues to grow and morph as demand increases and external factors change.

What new opportunities exist for those already in or considering entering the world of home energy ratings?

Are there career specializations available?

In today's podcast, Josh Anderson (TopBuild) and Scott Doyle (RESNET) help us understand the purpose, scope and functions of the RESNET HERS modeler designation.

In 2020, the RESNET Board of Directors voted for the creation of a new RESNET HERS Rater modeling designation with a goal of increasing the consistency in the input in HERS Ratings through the training and certification of persons who conduct the modeling and analysis using accredited HERS Software Tools.

Upon certification, HERS Modeler candidates are issued a unique RESNET Modeler ID which can be used for single or multiple HERS Software Tools. In many ways this certification is like the current Rating Field Inspector certification for field inspection and testing including candidates being posted on the RESNET Registry.

Josh discusses how this is a natural evolution of the industry, especially as businesses scale. He also notes this helps to create an alternate career path within the RESNET ecosystem as it embodies a different skillset and an alternate work environment (office vs. field) for a more diverse workforce.

Scott gives us an overview of the formal training required and notes that continuing education will be required to maintain the certification. The continuing education will be offered by the accredited HERS Rating Software Program developers.

Scott notes that certified RESNET HERS Raters, having taken inputs and plan reviews as part of RESNET HERS Rater Training, will automatically receive the new certification without any additional fees, yet would still have to meet the continuing education requirements.

More info on this topic, as well as an infographic are available at this link: www.resnet.us/raters/resnet-hers-modeler-certification/

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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

"The details are not the details. They make the design."

Charles Eames

HVAC equipment is often the largest energy consuming system in a home.

While listeners are likely grounded in the aspect of "house as a system," where does the rubber meet the road when it comes to HVAC system design?

In today's podcast, we begin part one of a three-part series on cracking open the details of the ANSI/RESNET/ACCA/ICC Standard 310. We are joined by Alex Meaney of Mean HVAC Consulting and Design, an expert in HVAC system design.

Listen in as Alex brings, in his words, "well above average" insights into the important topic of load calculation.

Alex details the various ACCA Manuals (J, S, D, LLH, T, Z-R) involved in the process of HVAC Design, as well as factors about the origins of many of the calculations.

There were several "ah-ha" moments as we got deep into the aspects of answering a seemingly simple question: "what is the heat and moisture loss or gain per hour, of a home under design conditions.

After listening, you will better understand the power and importance of an accurate load calculation.

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

Learn more at www.RESNET.us

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