Issue 6 Volume 5

June 2007

RESNET Completes Survey

RESNET has completed its survey of rating providers on the number of homes that were certified for the tax credit in 2006.

The accredited rating providers report that in 2006 certified raters certified 8,776 homes for the federal tax credit for energy efficient homes.

The number is expected to increase dramatically in 2007 for the following reasons:

  • The IRS rules on the tax credit were not released until February 2006
  • The software calculation infrastructure was not available until Spring of 2006
  • California's rating providers had not completed training for their raters until late 2006
  • More builders and raters are now aware of the tax credit
  • There have been a significantly more raters trained


For more information on RESNET go to: www.natresnet.org
To learn how to qualify for the Tax Credit visit us at: www.gwssi.com

 

Green Standards by RESNET

RESNET’s standards are officially recognized by the U.S. mortgage industry for capitalizing a building’s energy performance in the mortgage loan, certification of “White Tags” for private financial investors, and by the federal government for verification of building energy performance for such programs as federal tax incentives, the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program.


RESNET Ratings provides a relative energy use index called the HERS Index – a HERS Index of 100 represents the energy use of the “American Standard Building” and an Index of 0 (zero) indicates that the Proposed Building uses no net purchased energy (a Zero Energy Building). A set of rater recommendations for cost-effective improvements that can be achieved by the Rated Building is also produced.

RESNET standards encompass three areas:

  • Software accreditation achieved by passing a battery of software verification tests developed by U.S. National Laboratories and RESNET
  • Definition of knowledge base and skill sets that a rater must demonstrate through passing an online RESNET National Rater Test
  • A quality assurance evaluation that features each Rating Provider employing a certified Quality Assurance Designee. The Quality Assurance Designee must annually independently verify internal consistency of a minimum 10% of all building input files and independently field verify the accuracy of a minimum of 1% of each certified Rater’s homes

For more information on RESNET click on What is RESNET.

 



Kelly Parker, P.E.
President: GWS and RESNET

The NEED for GREEN
The energy picture is becoming a little more dim every day. Just take the United States....Energy is a principal commodity of our society, amounting to approx. 9% of GNP. The U.S. represents about 5% of the world’s population and controls about 8% of the world’s energy resources but consumes about 25% of the world’s energy supplies. 65% of our energy consumption is met by CO2 producing fossil fuels. America remains shackled to fossil fuels, with 86% of the country’s energy needs being met by petroleum, coal and natural gas.
It must be noted that the world oil supply is now in decline.

If we lower energy usage we will require less use of fossil fuels, and lower the CO2 production.

 

The housing industry is starting to shift in the same direction as the auto industry as far as fuel economy. Less reliance on fossil fuels is the new paradigm for both cars and homes.

Just look at this beautiful zero energy house in Dallas, Texas. GWS certified this house for ENERGY STAR and the owners will enjoy zero energy costs. Now is the time to look to the new building science of energy conservation. It's good for everyone.


For more information, please contact GWS @ 1-888-488-0206 or visit our web site www.gwssi.com.

 

Energy Efficiency Global Forum
and Exposition

November 11-14, 2007 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center

The Alliance to Save Energy's inaugural conference will serve as the premier gathering and showcase for the energy-efficiency industry. EE Global will attract industry professionals, academics and policy makers from around the world to promote the efficient use of energy through a curriculum aimed at sharing best practices and unifying the public and private sectors. Please visit www.eeglobalforum.com for more information.

 

This newsletter has been brought to you by GWS, Energy Star Partner for 2006

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Did You KNOW...?
GWS can help you with the changes in ENERGY STAR.
To learn more, please visit: gwssi.com
or call 888-488-0206
or visit:
 energystarhomesamerica.com

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