RESNET: Home Energy Rating Standards of Practice

RESNET Home Energy Rating
Standards of Practice
Table of Contents
Page
1. Purpose and Scope
1.1 Purpose 3
1.2. Scope 3
1.3 Application of Standard 3
1.4 Limitations on Rater Responsibility 3
1.5 Additional Services That Raters May Provide 3
2. Overview
2.1. RESNET Mission and Activities 4
2.2 Overview of Home Energy Ratings 4
2.3 Rater Certification Overview 5
3. Minimum Rated Features
3.1 Foundation 6
3.2 Walls 7
3.3 Roof/Ceiling 7
3.4 Rim Joist 8
3.5 Doors 8
3.6 Windows 8
3.7 Skylights 8
3.8 Air Leakage 9
3.9 Heating and Cooling 9
3.10 Hot Water Heating 10
3.11 Solar Water System 10
3.12 Passive Solar System 10
4. Rating Report
4.1 Rating Score 11
4.2 Star Rating 11
4.3 Estimated Annual Energy Consumption 11
4.4 Estimated Annual Energy Costs 11
4.5 Property’s Street Address 11

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4.6 Name of Rater 11
4.7 Date of Rating 11
4.8 Version of Rating Software Tool 11
4.9 Optional Energy Improvement Report 11
4.10 Optional Energy Mortgage Report 12
5. Rater Financial Interest Standard Disclosure 12
6. General Limitations and Exclusions
6.1 General Limitations 12
6.2 General Exclusions 13

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1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
1.1 The purposes of these standards of practice are to ensure that
accurate and cons istent home ener gy ratings are performed by
accredited home energy rating system s nationwide, to increase the
credibility of the rati ng systems w ith the mortgage finance industry,
and to promote voluntar y participation in an objective, cost-
effective, sustainable home ener gy rating process. This doc ument
is intended to be a summary for information purposes only.
The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Home Energy
Rating St andards of Practice establish minimum and uniform
standards for home energy raters who ar e certified by RESNET-
accredited rating providers. Ho me energy ratings performed to
these standards of practice are intended to provide the home
owner/builder wit h a certified rating accor ding to the RESNET’s
Mortgage Industry National Hom e Energy Rating Standard. These
standards are posted at www.natres net.org/accred/standards.pdf.
The rater reports to a provider, who is responsible for quality control
of the rating.
1.2 Raters will follow the provisio ns set forth in the national home
energy rating standard. The standard specifically recognizes t he
authority of each state through legislation or regulation that governs
rater licensing or certification.
1.3 The national home energy rating st andard applies to existing and
proposed, site-constructed or manuf actured, one- and two-family
residential structures, or other residential buildi ngs three stories or
less in height, excluding hotels and motels.
1.4 The rater shall be responsible for:
1.4.1 Inspecting and testing the hom e’s minimum rated features
listed in B of the standards of practice.
1.4.2 Entering the data collected into the RESNET-accr edited
rating software tool.
1.4.3 Providing the client with t he home’s rating reports, including
RESNET’s rating financ ial s tandard disclosure form,
generated by the rating software tool.
1.5 The standards of practice are not intended to limit raters from:
1.5.1 Including other inspection se rvices, systems, or components
in addition to those required in the standards of practice.
1.5.2 Providing consulting services to the client on how to improve
the energy performance of the rated home.
1.5.3 Undertaking the ener gy improvements of the home as long
as the rater provides the RE SNET rating financial standard

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disclosure form to the client and the accredited rating
provider.

2. OVERVIEW
2.1 Residential Energy Services Network – RESNET’s mission is to
improve the energy efficiency of the nation' s housin g stock and to
qualify more families for home ownership b y expanding the national
availability of mortgage financing opt ions and home en ergy ratings.
RESNET is a membership 501(c )(3) non-profit organization.
RESNET's activities focus on:
2.1.1 Adopting and maintaining the national standards for home
energy ratings.
2.1.2 Accrediting home energy rating provider s, energy rating
training providers, and hom e energy rating software
programs.
2.1.3 Working with the mortgage indus try in developing inn ovative
residential energy efficiency financing products.
2.1.4 Educating the public and the housing industry on the
benefits of residential energy efficiency.
2.2 Overview of Home Energy Ratings – Home energy rat ings provide
a standard measurement of a home’s energy efficiency. Ratings
are used f or both new and exis ting homes. In new homes, ratings
often verify energy performance for the ENERGY ST AR® homes
program, energy efficient mortga ges, and energy code complianc e.
Homeowners who wants to upgrade their home’s ener gy efficiency
can use the energy r ating to ev aluate and pinpoint s pecific, cos t-
effective improvements. In exis ting homes , homeowners receive a
report listing cost-effective options for improving the home’s energy
rating. An energy rating allows a home buyer to easily compare the
energy costs for homes being considered.
There are two types of ratings:
Projected ratings – Ratings performed prior to the
construction of a home or prior to the installation of energy
improvements to an existing home
Confirmed ratings – Ratings completed using data gathered
from an on-site inspection, which could include a
performance testing of the home
Confirmed home ener gy ratings invo lve an on-site ins pection of a
home by a residential energy e fficiency professional: a home
energy rater. Home energy raters are trained and certified by a
RESNET-accredited home energy rating provider.

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The home energy rater reviews the home to identify its energy
characteristics, such as insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-
window ratios, the hea ting and coolin g system efficienc y, the solar
orientation of the home, and the water heating syst em.
Performance testing, such as the blower door test for air leakage
and duct leakage testing, is usually part of the assessment.
The data gathered by the home energy rater is entered into an
accredited rating software progra m and translated into rating
scoring points. The home receiv es a point score between 0 and
100, depending on its relative efficiency. An estimate of the home’s
energy costs is also provided. T he home’s energy rating is then
equated to a star rati ng ranging from one star for a very inefficient
home to five stars for a highly efficient home.
Unlike an energy audit or a w eatherization assess ment, a home
energy rating is a rec ognized tool in the mortgage industry. Home
energy ratings can be used in a variety of ways in the housing
industry. The star and rati ng score provides an easily
understandable means to compare mo re efficient homes by their
relative energy efficiency, si nce a rating quantifies the energy
performance of the home.
The mortgage industry and the states recognize the necessity of
this accreditation proc ess for home energy rating programs. The
mortgage industry, government, and re sidential ener gy efficiency
programs use this accreditation process to measure and label a
home’s energy performance in a uniform and consistent manner.
2.3 Rater Certification Overview – A rater must successfully complet e
training by a RESNET-accredited rater trai ning prov ider and must
be certified by a RESNET-accredited rating provider.
2.3.1 Rater Training – A rater completes trai ning by an accredited
rater training organiz ation prior to performing rating tasks
without supervision. The trai ning shall be conduc ted in
accordance with a s yllabus developed by RESNET. The
syllabus must specify subjects applicable to each position
and must include classroom training. The minimum
knowledge base and skill sets that a rater must have ar e
posted at www.natresnet.org/accred/standards.pdf.
2.3.2 Field Training – Each rater must perform five ratings
including s oftware operations, two of whic h shall be in the
presence of trainers.
2.3.3 Continuing Education – Each rater must complete a
minimum of 12 hours of approved continuing edu cation
during each three-year period of certification.

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2.3.4 Minimum Rater Competencies – Certified raters must pass
examinations that dem onstrate a practical, working ability to
effectively use the knowledge a nd skills contained in Section
5.3 of Chapter 2 of the nat ional home energy rating standar d
to produce accurate and fair home energy ratings, including
the following:
2.3.4.1 The ability to accurately gather information from
building drawings, field inspections, product
specification and nameplate in formation, and/or field
performance testing. The rate r must be able to input
such gathered data into a home energy rating system
software tool to produce accurate and fair home
energy ratings in acc ordance with the National Home
Energy Rating Technical Guidelines.
2.3.4.2 Knowledge of the purpos es and benefits of home
energy ratings, and the ability to communicate these
items to existing and potential customers.
2.3.4.3 Knowledge of the basics of energy-efficient
mortgages, energy improv ement mortgages, and
similarly related products, and the ability to
communicate these products’ benefits to existing and
potential customers.
2.3.5 Written Exam – Pros pective home energy raters, to become
certified, shall demonstrate through a nationally administered
written examination a practical, working knowledge of t hese
materials sufficient to produc e accurate and fair home
energy ratings.

3. MINIMUM RATED FEATURES
The rater shall be responsible for a whole house insp ection and for testing
the energy features of a home. Appendix A of RESNET ’s Mortgage
Industry National Home Energy Rating Standard contains the specific on-
site protocols for inspecting or testi ng the home’s energy features. The
appendix can be downloaded here.
The rater shall account for the following minimum rated features:
3.1 Foundation
3.1.1 Conditioning of Space – The rater shall determine whether a
crawl space or basement is unconditioned, ind irectly
conditioned, or directly conditioned.
3.1.2 Construction Type
3.1.2.1 The rater shall identify floor area over crawl space
basement, exterior space, or unconditioned garage.

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3.1.2.2 The rater shall identify slab-on-grade foundation or
walkout basement.
3.1.3 Interior Surface Condition – The rater shall determine the
inside surface condition of floor.
3.1.4 Surface Area – The rater shall measure floor dimensions.
3.1.5 Thermal Mass – The rater shall determine the presence of
thermal mass.
3.1.6 Walls of Basement or Crawl Space
3.1.6.1 Insulation – The rater shall d etermine the type,
thickness, and R-v alue of in sulation in wa lls of
conditioned basement or crawl space.
3.1.7 Slab-on-Grade
3.1.7.1 Perimeter – The rater shall determine the perimeter of
slab foundation.
3.1.7.2 Insulation – The rater shall determine if slab perimeter
insulation exists.
3.2 Walls
3.2.1 Color – The rater shall determine the color of the outside
wall.
3.2.2 Construction Type – The rater shall determine the structural
system of walls.
3.2.3 Framing Members – The rater shall determine framing
member size for all fr amed wa lls exposed to unconditioned
space.
3.2.4 Insulation Value – The rater shall det ermine the type,
thickness, and R-value of insulation in the wall assembly.
3.2.5 Location – The rater shall dete rmine whether walls border
exterior space, attic, garage, or crawl space.
3.2.6 Thermal Mass – The rater shall determine the type and
thickness of all mass walls.
3.3 Roof/Ceiling
3.3.1 Ceiling Areas Between Conditioned and Unconditioned
Space
3.3.1.1 The rater s hall obtain meas urements of all accessible
ceiling areas.
3.3.1.2 The rater shall determine construction type.

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3.3.1.3 The rater shall determine the size of the framing
members for framed ceiling.
3.3.2 Color – The rater shall determine the color of the roof.
3.3.3 Construction Type – The rater shall determine the r oof’s
construction type.
thickness, and R-value in the attic and framed ceiling.
3.4 Rim Joist
thickness, and R-value of the rim joist’s insulation.
3.5 Doors
3.5.1 Construction Type – The r ater shall determine the
construction type of all exterior doors.
3.5.2 Insulation Value – T he rater shall deter mine whether the
doors are insulated.
3.5.3 Surface Area – The r ater shall c alculate the surface area of
exterior doors.
3.6 Windows
3.6.1 Area – The rater shall calculate the area of windows.
3.6.2 Construction Type – The rater shall determine the windo w
framing and glazing characteristics.
3.6.3 Orientation – The rater shall determine the orientation of all
windows.
3.6.4 Shading – The rater shall determine the shading of windows.
3.6.5 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – The rater shall determine the
solar heat gain coefficient for all glazing.
3.6.6 U-factor – The rater shall determine the U-factor of eac h
window.
3.7 Skylights
3.7.1 Area – The rater shall calculate the area of the skylights.
3.7.2 Construction Type – The rater shall determine the framing
and glazing characteristics of the skylights.
3.7.3 Orientation – The rater shall determine the orientation of the
skylights.
3.7.4 Shading – The rater shall dete rmine the shading of the
skylights.

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3.7.5 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient – The rater shall determine the
solar heat gain coefficient of the skylights.
3.7.6 Tilt – The rater shall calculate the tilt of each of the skylights.
3.7.7 U-factor – The rater shall determine the skylight U-factors.
3.8 Air Leakage
3.8.1 Conditioned Volume of the Space of the Home – T he rater
shall calculate the conditioned volume space of the home.
3.8.2 Performance Testing – To receive credit for air tightness, the
home must undergo a performance test such as a blower
door test.
3.8.3 Estimating Air Leakage – If performance equipment, such as
a blower door, is not used in the rating, the rater shall us e
the default value cont ained in Ch apter 3 Section 5.e. of the
National Home Energy Rating Standard.
3.9 Heating and Cooling
3.9.1 Fuel Type – The rater shall determine the energy source for
the heating and air conditioning systems.
3.9.2 Types of Heating and Cooling Equipment – The rater shall
identify the types of heating and/or cooling equipment.
3.9.3 Control System
3.9.3.1 The rater shall identify the control system (thermostat)
for the heating and cooling systems.
3.9.3.2 The rater shall determine if programmable
thermostats are present.
3.9.4 Efficiency of Systems – The rater shall determine the
efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment.
3.9.5 Location – The rater shall det ermine the location of the
heating and cooling equipment.
3.9.6 Distribution System
3.9.6.1 Type – The rater sha ll identify the type of distribution
system.
3.9.6.2 Location of Distribution System – The r ater shall
determine the location of the distribution system.
3.9.6.3 Duct Air Leakage
3.9.6.3.1 To receive credit for the tight ness of the
ducts, a performance test must be performed
in accordance with ASHREA St andard 152-
04.

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3.9.6.3.2 If performance equipment is not used, the
rater must consider the location and
characteristics of the distribution system and
select a st andard def ault value f rom Table 6
of Chapter 3 of the National Home Ener gy
Rating Standards.
3.9.6.4 Insulation – The rater shall determine the value of the
insulation of the distribution system.
3.10 Hot Water Heating
3.10.1 Fuel Type – The rater shall determine the energy source for
the water heating system.
3.10.2 Location – The rater shall determine the location of the water
heater.
3.10.3 Water Heater Type – The rater s hall determine the type and
energy source of the water heater.
3.10.4 Efficiency of Water Heating Appliance – The rater shall
determine the energy factor or seasonal efficiency of the
water heater.
3.10.5 Extra Tank Insulation – Th e rater shall determine the
presence and insulation value of any extra insu lation extra
wrap.
3.11 Solar Water System (if present)
3.11.1 Solar Collector Type – The rater shall identify the type of
solar water heating collector.
3.11.2 Solar Collector Details – The rater shall determine the area,
orientation, and tilt of collector.
3.11.3 Efficiency of System – The r ater shall determine the
efficiency of the solar water heating system.
3.11.4 Water Storage Tank Size and Location – The rater shall
determine the capacity of the storage tank and its location.
3.11.5 Extra Tank Insulation – Th e rater shall determine the
presence and insulation value of any extra insulation wrap.
3.11.6 Water Pipe Insulation – The rater shall determine the
presence and insulation value of any water pipe insulation.
3.12 Passive Solar System (if system is present)
3.12.1 Direct Gain System – The rater shall identify the type of
passive solar system type and i dentify the solar orientation
and aperture area.

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3.12.2 Greenhouse or Solarium – The rater shall identify solar type,
solar orient ation, and aperture opening, and shall calculate
thermal mass.
3.12.3 Thermal Mass – The rater shall collect infor mation about the
thermal mass.
3.12.4 Thermosiphon Air Panel – The rater shall identify the system
type and its location.

4. RATING REPORT
The rater or the rater’s provider sha ll generate a report for each confirmed
rating that contains the following information:
4.1 The numeric rating score calculat ed by the rating software tool wit h
the information on the home’s energy features as calculated by the
rater.
4.1.1 The rating software tool uses the national rating method
adopted by RESNET to calculate the rating score.
4.1.2 A score of 80 is the defin ition of the minimum energy
efficiency of new homes.
4.1.3 Nationally, for a home to be lab eled as ENERGY ST AR®, it
must achieve a minimum score of 86 or be at least 15%
more efficient than the local minimum energy code.
4.2 The star rating based on the rating numeric score.
4.3 The estimated annual purchas ed energy consumption for space
heating, space cooling, water heating, an d all other energy us e,
and an est imate of the total pur chased energy consumed in the
home.
4.4 The estimated annual energy cost for space heating, space cooling,
water heating, and all other energy use and the total of these
estimates.
4.5 The street address or recorded real property identifier of the rated
home.
4.6 The name of the rater.
4.7 The date that the rating was completed.
4.8 The rating software program and its version numb er used to
calculate the rating.
4.9 If improvements are being planned for the home, the rater may
produce an energy improvement report, which contains:
4.9.1 A listing of recommended improvements.
4.9.2 Estimated annual savings from each measure.

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4.9.3 Typical installed costs for each measure.
4.9.4 Estimated useful life of for each improvement.
4.9.5 Estimated economic return from each measure.
4.9.6 Estimated total savings resulting from the recommendations.
4.9.7 Improved rating score resulting from the recommendations.
4.9.8 Estimated annual savings resulting from the
recommendations.
4.10 If the homebuyer plans on applying for an energy mortgage, the
rater can produce an Energy Mortgage Report (if an energy
mortgage will be applied for). The energy mortgage report contains
information needed by a lender to underwrite an energy mortgage,
including the monthly energy sa vings and the added energy value
to the home’s appraisal. There are specific reports for:
Fannie Mae.
Freddie Mac.
Federal Housing Administration.
Veterans Administration.

5. RATER FINANCIAL INTEREST STANDARD DISCLOSURE
The rater shall prepare and present to the client the RESNET rating
standard financial dis closure form that i ndicates any financ ial interest the
rater may have in the home being rated. The financial disclosure form can
be viewed on RESNET’s web site at www.natresnet.org/disclosure.

6. GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
6.1 General limitations:
6.1.1 The energy use infor mation co ntained in the rating report
does not constitute any warranty of energy cost or savings.
6.1.2 Inspections performed in accordance with these standards of
practice:
6.1.2.1 Are not technically exhaustive.
6.1.2.2 Will n ot identify co ncealed c onditions or latent
defects.
6.1.3 The home energy rating is not intended to be an inspection
of the structural soundness of the hom e or any other
attributes of the home other than the home’s energy
features.

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6.1.4 The home energy rating is not a pplicable t o building design
and construction features exce pt those specified in the
minimum rated features listed in section 3.
6.2 General exclusions
6.2.1 Raters are NOT requir ed to pe rform any action or make any
determination unless specifica lly stated in the standar ds of
practice.
6.2.2 Raters are NOT required to determine:
6.2.2.1 The condition of systems or components that are not
readily available.
6.2.2.2 The remaining life of any system or component.
6.2.2.3 Compliance with regulat ory requirement s (codes,
regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
6.2.2.4 Future conditions, including but not limited to failure of
systems and components.
6.2.2.5 The market value of the home or its marketability.
6.2.2.6 The presence of env ironmental hazards, including bu t
not limited to mold, indoor air quality, toxins,
carcinogens, and contaminants in soil, water, and air.
6.2.2.7 The effectiveness of any system installed or methods
used to c ontrol or remo ve suspected hazardous
substances.
6.2.2.8 The presence of potent ially hazardous plants or
animals, including but not limited to wood destroying
organisms, or diseases harmful to humans.
6.2.2.9 The acoustical properties of any sy stem or
component.
6.2.3 Raters are NOT required to offer or perform:
6.2.3.1 Any act or service contrary to law.
6.2.3.2 Engineering or design services.
6.2.3.3 Heating or cooling system design or sizing consulting.
6.2.3.4 Indoor air quality consulting.
6.2.3.5 Work in any trade or any professional s ervice other
than home energy rating.
6.2.3.6 Warranties or guarantees of any kind.
6.2.4 Raters are NOT required to operate:

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6.2.4.1 Any system or component that is shut down or
otherwise inoperable.
6.2.4.2 Any system or comp onent that does not respond t o
normal operating conditions.
6.2.4.3 Shut-off valves.
6.2.5 Raters are NOT required to inspect or test:
6.2.5.1 Systems or components that are not installed.
6.2.5.2 Systems or components locat ed in areas that are not
entered in accordance wit h these standards of
practice.
6.2.5.3 Detached structures.
6.2.6 Raters are NOT required to:
6.2.6.1 Enter any area that will, in the opinion of the rater,
likely be dangerous to the rater or other persons or
damage the property or its systems or components.
6.2.6.2 Perform any procedure or operation that will, in the
opinion of the rater, likely be dangerous to the rater or
other persons or may dam age the property or its
systems or components.
6.2.6.3 Move suspended c eiling tiles , personal property,
furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
6.2.6.4 Dismantle any syst em or component, except as
explicitly required by the standards of practice.
6.3 If, in determining that some of th e minimum rated features of
the home are not present or available for inspection
according t o the exclusions abov e, the rater may, at his or
her discretion, choose to use default v alues for thos e
features, or conclude that a legitimate rating is not pos sible
under the circumstances. In no case may the rater be
required to use defaults that are not allowed by RESNET’s
Mortgage Industry National Ho me Energy Rating Standard
to produce a rating.

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RESNET: Home Energy Rating Standards of Practice

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