Pre-Conference Sessions

2015-16 is the year of water for RESNET. This session will discuss the changes to the standard to account for measures that reduce the consumption and waste of hot water and the changes that adjust the amount of hot water and the associated energy in the energy budget by climate zone. We will go into depth on the various measures that can now get credit for hot water use efficiency. These measures are some of the most cost effective ways to improve a HERS score. Perhaps more importantly, several of them improve customer satisfaction. We plan to divide the time between explaining the measures and getting participant feedback on their early experience in implementing the provisions.

Cost: Free
Registration: Add to your conference registration https://conference.resnet.us/conference-registration

The two-part LEED for Homes Green Rater Training is designed to prepare qualified participants to provide verification services on LEED for Homes projects. Applicants must meet initial qualifications and complete a two-part training. Part 1 of the training consists of five (5) self-guided online training modules that introduce you to the roles and responsibilities of a LEED for Homes Green Rater, discuss applicable technical concepts, discuss verification specifics for various building types, and introduce the participant to the tools and resources that Green Raters will use. Part 2 consist of a two-day instructor-led workshop. This highly interactive workshop builds upon the material presented in the online course, further preparing you to verify LEED for Homes projects, and delves deep into the verification services you will provide. Following the training, participants will be eligible to register and take the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam, administered through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). Those who pass the exam may proceed to complete the required mentorship. Upon successful completion of the mentorship, the participant will be awarded the LEED for Homes Green Rater Certificate

Cost: Early Bird rate member- $660 and non-member- $795. Member rate includes USGBC, RESNET and Southface membership. After January 29th member- $760 and non-member-$895
Registration: https://southfacecommunities.force.com/MN4__PublicEventRegistration?id=a0zU000000BW3xjIAD

Multiple-fan testing is one of the newest markets for Raters. This full day session will cover the fundamentals of multiple-fan testing that is used in multifamily and small commercial structures.

The session objectives include but not limited to

• Setup & perform multiple-fan tests

• Test to a specific standard RESNET, USACE, ASTM & LEED

• Calculate number of fans needed

• Determine best fan placement

• Neutralize or isolate areas not being tested

• Testing the air barrier or normal operating conditions

• Perform compartmentalization tests like area to area or floor to floor test

• And Running 2 - 6+ fans simultaneously

The session includes live demonstrations of manual testing and automated software testing. Be prepared to join exercises that mimic real world conditions and allow you to identify and solve testing issues.

Lunch and refreshments are not provided

Cost: $150
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/multiple-fan-101-resnet-2016-tickets-19973238494

PHIUS is seeking experienced RESNET professionals to complete a two day course in order to become qualified to conduct on-site quality assurance for the PHIUS+ passive building certification program. Passive buildings are some of the most energy efficient buildings in the world, with space conditioning energy savings of up to 90% compared to standard new construction.
The PHIUS+ certification program for North American Passive Houses combines extensive design review with a rigorous on-site quality assurance program. PHIUS+ aligns with the quality assurance protocols of Energy Star 3.0 and DOE Net Zero Ready Home, while including additional tests and checks, specific to the PHIUS+ program.

The two-day course includes one day of classroom work with a second day spent in the field, demonstrating advanced testing and inspection protocols for the PHIUS+ program. The course concludes on the second day with an exam. Successfully completing the course and exam qualifies a Rater to become a PHIUS+ Rater and earns the Rater fourteen (14) RESNET professional development credits. Application to the program is required.

Cost: $495
Registration: http://www.phius.org/get-professional-training/phius-quality-assurance-quality-control-professional-training/phius-rater-training

This session will consist of two sections:

Section 1: Overview of Axis
The first hour of the session will provide an overview of Axis, a cloud-hosted database solution specifically designed for the collection, storage, and sharing of energy rating data.  Axis is used by leading energy efficiency program sponsors and utilities to administer residential new construction energy efficiency programs and can also be used by HERS Raters/Providers and home builders to centralize energy rating data and program-specific data.  The Axis platform can also be used for QA purposes, incentive payment processing, and general workflow and data management.  Axis can benefit program sponsors, utilities, home builders, HERS Raters, HERS Providers, HVAC organizations, QA agents, program evaluators, appraisers, real estate agents, and more!  Come see what Axis is all about!

Section 2: Advanced Axis User Training
The second half of this session will focus on training for existing Axis users and will cover both topics prepared by the Axis team AND topics requested by users throughout the country.  Topics will include: community/subdivision contracts, bulk home creation, messaging options, and workflow support.  This is your chance to meet with Axis developers and support personnel face-to-face to learn more about the Axis solution and provide feedback for future product enhancements.

Cost: Free
Registration: Add to your conference registration https://conference.resnet.us/conference-registration

Which floor plans that meet the WaterSense for Homes or Net-Zero Ready requirements for hot water distribution systems? Are there any hot water distribution systems that can deliver hot water to every plumbing fixture and appliance within 15 seconds after opening the tap? Learn how to improve customer satisfaction by improving the water, energy and time efficiency of the hot water systems in your new home designs. This seminar includes a field trip to nearby home site(s) where we can view the rough-in plumbing. Maximum 20 attendees and transportation not provided.

Cost: Free
Registration: Email laurel@resnet.us to sign-up

The two-part LEED for Homes Green Rater Training is designed to prepare qualified participants to provide verification services on LEED for Homes projects. Applicants must meet initial qualifications and complete a two-part training. Part 1 of the training consists of five (5) self-guided online training modules that introduce you to the roles and responsibilities of a LEED for Homes Green Rater, discuss applicable technical concepts, discuss verification specifics for various building types, and introduce the participant to the tools and resources that Green Raters will use. Part 2 consist of a two-day instructor-led workshop. This highly interactive workshop builds upon the material presented in the online course, further preparing you to verify LEED for Homes projects, and delves deep into the verification services you will provide. Following the training, participants will be eligible to register and take the LEED for Homes Green Rater exam, administered through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). Those who pass the exam may proceed to complete the required mentorship. Upon successful completion of the mentorship, the participant will be awarded the LEED for Homes Green Rater Certificate

Cost: See LEED for Homes 401: Green Rater Training Saturday session – this is a 2 day course
Registration: https://southfacecommunities.force.com/MN4__PublicEventRegistration?id=a0zU000000BW3xjIAD

PHIUS is seeking experienced RESNET professionals to complete a two day course in order to become qualified to conduct on-site quality assurance for the PHIUS+ passive building certification program. Passive buildings are some of the most energy efficient buildings in the world, with space conditioning energy savings of up to 90% compared to standard new construction.
The PHIUS+ certification program for North American Passive Houses combines extensive design review with a rigorous on-site quality assurance program. PHIUS+ aligns with the quality assurance protocols of Energy Star 3.0 and DOE Net Zero Ready Home, while including additional tests and checks, specific to the PHIUS+ program.

The two-day course includes one day of classroom work with a second day spent in the field, demonstrating advanced testing and inspection protocols for the PHIUS+ program. The course concludes on the second day with an exam. Successfully completing the course and exam qualifies a Rater to become a PHIUS+ Rater and earns the Rater fourteen (14) RESNET professional development credits. Application to the program is required.

Cost: $495
Registration: http://www.phius.org/get-professional-training/phius-quality-assurance-quality-control-professional-training/phius-rater-training

SketchUp is a powerful graphic modeling tool developed by Google and now owned by Trimble. EnergyLogic has successfully adopted SketchUp to streamline the take-off process for all of our builder clients. With it's 3-D depiction of the thermal envelope, it has also proven to be a strong tool when reviewing probationary ratings, performing quality assurance, and field verifying a house was built to the original model. This training is designed to provide an overview of SketchUp and provide you with practice designing a 3-D model. Then we will use the scripts developed by EnergyLogic to generate a report designed for easy input into REM/Rate. Using SketchUp by itself will improve your speed and accuracy in performing take-offs, but with EnergyLogic’s custom reporting script designed for easy input into REM/Rate, you’ll find this method is not only fun, but cuts takeoff time in half! This course is designed for HERS Raters or other energy professionals with equivalent experience with energy modeling. It has been specifically designed to help complete accurate take-offs with quick from-plans rating data collection.

Cost: $250
Registration: http://energylogicacademy.com/course-catalog/resnet-2016-pre-conference-sessions/sketchup-resnet-2016/

2016 RESNET is being held in Scottsdale, AZ, a climate known for its relative scarcity of precipitation. This session will demonstrate good landscape practices for this climate and show how the choices can be incorporated into a water rating system. 

As we move toward more water efficient homes, we should be considering the use of grey water, rain water and AC water systems. In all of these systems there is a method of capturing the inflow water, treating it as applicable, storing it, if applicable for future use and then using that water for another purpose; thereby displacing the use of potable water. This session will discuss these advanced systems and take a field trip to see them.

Maximum 20 attendees and transportation not provided.

Presenters: Anthony Floyd, City of Scottsdale and Gary Klein, Gary Klein and Associates
Cost: Free
Registration: Email laurel@resnet.us to sign-up

Join Abe Kruger of SK Collaborative and Glenn Pease of EnergyLogic to learn about Multifamily HERS Ratings during a RESNET pre-conference session! This session covers the ins and outs of multifamily, including building level and unit level HERS Ratings. During the session, we will rate a sample project as a group from plans and go through the process of selecting the “worst case” units. Topics covered include: how to address common areas, elevator shafts, commercial spaces, adjacent structures, party walls, duct leakage testing, sampling and other updates you need to know. If you’re not considering multifamily buildings in your scope of services you may be missing out.

Cost: $50
Registration: http://energylogicacademy.com/course-catalog/resnet-2016-pre-conference-sessions/performing-multifamily-hers-ratings-resnet-2016/

RESNET Board of Directors Meeting is open to the public. 

There are over 2.5 million green certified homes in the market place. In 2001 there were nearly zero.  Since the average tenure of home ownership is nine years, these homes will likely be available for resale soon. It’s the right time to reach out to the real estate community with the business case for considering the thriving high performance home market.  However, successfully engaging that community requires a thorough understanding of how to align the strategic interests of many stakeholders. There are innovative contractors and energy efficiency organizations successfully engaging their local Realtors and MLSs, and forming relationships that will ultimately transform the single family home market. This in-depth training will feature those groundbreakers and will create a new group of leaders ready to demonstrate the value of the high performance homes market in a way that resonates with the real estate community. Training content will focus on the first five steps of the Visible Value white paper ("Unlocking the Value of an Energy Efficient Home: A Blueprint to Make Energy Efficiency Improvements Visible in the Real Estate Market"): Documenting upgrades, disclosing inventories, continuing education, green MLS usage and appraiser designed valuation studies. Attendees will learn how to overcome barriers, effectively engage with real estate, and learn about potential ways to fund their work.

Cost: Free
Registration: Add to your conference registration https://conference.resnet.us/conference-registration

Please join the Insulation Institute (NAIMA) and Insulate America for an evening reception with complimentary drinks and hors-d'oeuvres. NAIMA will share the results of a recent focus group with home builders regarding HERS Raters. You’ll have the opportunity to hear why builders select raters, what they like and don’t like about working with them and much more. Insulate America will introduce you to the two-time winner of “America’s Best Insulation Installer,” who will be on hand to demonstrate his skills. This annual competition pits fiber glass insulation installers against one another to see who can perform a Grade 1 installation the fastest, and with the highest quality, in a real-world style wall assembly.