Iowa Perspective. The use of HERS Raters as Residential Energy Code Inspectors

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1 Iowa Perspective The use of HERS Raters as Residential Energy Code Inspectors

2 Third Party Inspection & Iowa o Legislation created Commission on Energy Efficiency Main goal was to evaluate energy efficiency standards and make suggestion for their improvement and enforcement One of the recommendations is the implementation of a third-party energy code inspection program selected by the State Building Code Commissioner Additional state inspection staff will also be considered, but does not appear to be financially feasible

3 Third Party Inspection & Iowa o Advantages for using third party energy inspectors Training of existing inspectors difficult Resistance of local jurisdictions enforcing state mandates without adequate resources\ funding Lack of resources for local jurisdictions Energy code becoming more complex and requires more specialization

4 HERS Raters HERS = Home Energy Rating System RESNET (Residential Services Network) is the Non-profit governing body over the entire system RESNET certifies Providers. Providers are the Quality Assurance over HERS Raters Providers certify Raters All HERS Raters must be signed up with a Provider to do business as a Rater HERS Raters must take training, pass the National HERS Rater Exam and complete preliminary Ratings to become certified

5 HERS Ratings Conducts performance review & Inspections under Section 405 of the IECC REMRate is the Software used can not be purchased by anyone outside the HERS rating certification. A HERS Rater receives rights to use the software through his/her Provider. A HERS Rater can not print all reports from the software until his/her Provider has reviewed the REMRate file. Once the file is reviewed the Provider either: Gives print rights to specific documents to the Rater and returns the REMRate file OR Prints the specific reports for the HERS Rater and releases the specific documents to him/her

6 HERS Ratings Plan Review The HERS Rater enters the following information into the software at plan review stage: Builder & Rating Organization Information Window Sizes and Direction Each Faces Heating and Cooling Equipment prelim manual J & S Duct Work Location and R-Value Infiltration and Duct Leakage Maximums Specific Characteristics of Each of the Following: Slab Foundation Above Grade Walls Ceiling

7 HERS Ratings Plan Review Preliminary Reports are Generated at this time. These Reports consist of all the information given by the Builder at Plan Review Stage. This is not a Confirmed Rating. The documents produced at this stage are only preliminary. Field Verification of the items entered into the software must occur for the house to meet Code.

8 HERS Ratings On-Site Inspections The Rater conducts a Pre-Drywall inspection consisting of the following: Inspection of the insulation in the exterior walls, cantilevers, framed floors over garage, sunrooms Sealing of penetrations that are located along the thermal boundary of the home Rough openings of Windows and Doors are foamed or caulked Installed can lights that penetrate the thermal envelope are IC-rated Duct work is sealed Any ductwork located outside the thermal envelope is insulated with a minimum of R-6 insulation (performance requirement) Blocking/sheeting/sealing is present in baths, fireplaces, and dead spaces

9 HERS Ratings On-Site Inspection The following information is gathered/verified on site to be entered into the software: Direction of House R-Value and Grade of Insulation U-Factor & SHGC of all Windows Windows are Measured to verify sizes on the plan are accurate Foundation lengths and heights are measured R-value and percentage of ductwork located in unconditioned space This information is then entered into the software

10 HERS Ratings Final Inspection The following information is gathered on site to be entered into the software: Attic Insulation R-Value Mechanical Ventilation Type and Settings Foundation Insulation Equipment Model Numbers (Furnace, A/C, Water heater) This information is then entered into the software Other Items that are checked: Scuttle lid insulated and gasketed IC can lights are gasketed

11 HERS Ratings Final Inspection The HERS Rater conducts the following Final Testing: Blower Door To determine air infiltration of the home Duct Blaster To determine the duct leakage to the outside of the thermal envelope This information is then entered into the software

12 HERS Rating Final Documentation & Process All attributes of the home are entered into the software. The HERS Rater sends the file to his/her Provider The Provider conducts a quality assurance review The Rater is given the file with print rights or the required documents The Rater gives the final code certificate to the Builder and or City The City releases the final certificate or occupancy

13 Performance Path of Code & Required Documentation The performance side of code is figured off the cost of living in the home. The software compares a home built to the prescriptive code an takes into consideration the upgrades and downgrades in the home being tested. If the home being built will cost less to use based on the utility usage required for this particular home then it passes the performance side of code.

14 Performance Path of Code & Required Documentation Cities require the following documentation from a HERS Rater or the Builder: At time of Permit The Energy Code Checklist The Cost Compliance Report (Signed by the Rater) At time of Final The Energy Code Certificate (Signed by the Rater)

15 Benefits to Jurisdictions HERS Raters are already certified to conduct these inspections and testing There is no cost to the cities No additional training is required for city inspectors Many cities have endured budget cuts and do not have the funding to staff another inspector Cities do not have to perform additional plan reviews, inspections and testing No equipment cost or training This is a proven measuring tool

16 Improvements that need to be made to the system Currently there is no HERS Rater data base All HERS Raters are not created equal, no one has the authority to disallow a Rater to do business in a particular area Specifics in Code are left up to interpretation: Gray Areas Additional verification and consistency Perceived added upfront cost to the project