RESBlog | Site Map | Search | Home

2007 RESNET Building Performance Conference

Conference Session Descriptions and Agenda

February 17 - 21, 2007
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
San Diego, CA

Pre-Conference Sessions
Saturday, February 17, 2007

RESNET Technical Committee Meeting
9:00 a.m.- Noon -- Room 511

RESNET Training and Education Committee Open Meeting
9:00 - 10:45 a.m. -- Room 518

RESNET Quality Assurance and Ethics Committee Meeting
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. -- Room 511

Florida Solar Energy Center National Rater Test Tutorial
Pre-registration required. Register at: Tutorial Registration
Marina IV

Essential HVAC Diagnostics for Expert Raters Pre-registration required
Contact Rob Falke at robf@nationalcomfortinstitute.com  
Presenter: Rob Falke, National Comfort Institute
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -- Room 514
Many raters are expanding their businesses to include consulting services to assist their clients in diagnosing and prescribing solutions for comfort and efficiency issues. Consulting can be an extremely valuable and profitable extension of any rater firm. In this session, you will gain exposure to the next level of consulting ,as well as, HVAC system performance verification. Learn how to measure total external static pressure, pressure drops, and verification of system airflow. Learn how to measure duct losses with air temperature diagnostics. Participate in a discussion on how to market these rare services to homeowners, building managers and HVAC contractors.

American Lung Association Health House Program
Presenter: Steve Klossner, American Lung Association Health House Program
9:00 a.m. - Noon -- Room 515
The American Lung Association Health House program continues to grow and evolve, as the Green Building movement becomes more mainstream and builders seek ways to stand out from the crowd in a cooling housing market. The Health House program is expanding into new states, catching on with major production builders, and continuing to influence the building industry with its stringent guidelines for energy efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality. The program plans some ambitious National Demonstration projects, has refined and simplified its guidelines, and is working with similar programs to achieve common goals. Our need for experienced raters to serve as Health House inspectors has never been greater - join us to find out how you can help build the healthiest homes in the nation.

Introduction to Building Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives
Presenter: Jennifer Porter, San Diego Regional Energy Office
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. -- Room 515
As part of the National Energy Policy Act of 2005, Congress created a number of tax incentives to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. These incentives include tax credits to builders to build high efficiency homes and to homeowner to improve the performance of their existing homes, a tax deduction for improving the energy efficiency of commercial buildings, and incentives for solar. This session will provide an overview of these incentives.

State Led Leadership on Global Climate Change - California Carbon Cap and Trade Initiative
Presenter: Thomas Hamilton, Quality Built
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. -- Room 511
The U.S. government has not embraced a cap and trade protocol to address global climate change. States, however, are taking up the challenge. California, with the 5th largest economy in the world, has recently enacted a carbon cap and trade law. The state is also exploring the possibility of entering into a partnership with the United Kingdom to create a greater market for carbon savings. This session will introduce the new California carbon cap and trade law and discuss the implications for the nation and the building performance industry.

Duct Testing 101
Presenter: Gary Nelson, The Energy Conservatory
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. -- Room 515
This session will cover the RESNET requirement for testing ducts. It will give a nuts and bolts approach to house and equipment set up for performing a pressurization and/or depressurization test.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

RESNET Board of Directors Meeting
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -- Executive Conference Room 4

Florida Solar Energy Center's Proctored National Rater Test
9:00 a.m. - Noon -- Marina IV
Pre-registration required. Register at: Rater Test Registration

REM/Rate Advanced Users Workshop
Presenter: Dave Roberts, Architectural Energy Corporation
1:00 - 4:30 p.m. -- Nautilus 3
This session is specifically designed for those raters who have previous experience using Architectural Energy Corporation's (AEC) REM/Rate home energy rating software. The session will be led by David R. Roberts, P.E., a Senior Engineer at AEC who has been involved with the development of the REM/Rate software for over 13 years. The session will cover some of the more obscure, yet powerful features of the software - batch processing, customizing reports, data output options, library management, and more. Bring your questions and suggestions; there will be opportunities to address both.

Right Sizing AC Systems for Profit and Energy Star Certification
Presenter: Dennis Stroer, Calcs-Plus -- Presentation 1, Presentation 2, Presentation 3
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. -- Sea Breeze II
"Learn how to right-size equipment and to read sizing reports. Since Energy Star is making this mandatory, raters need to be up to speed on this issue". The session will discuss the input sensitivities of ACCA Manual J, the do's and don'ts for proper sizing, how to read the outputs from Manual-J for equipment selection, and why ARI data is not the proper tool for right-sizing air conditioning equipment. Points to be covered:

• HVAC Load Calculations
• MJ8 take off
• Infiltration & Ventilation.
• Duct gains - the duct calculation.
• Reading and understanding the results.
• Using Mj8 results to right size the heating and cooling equipment.
• Exporting an MJ8 data into EnergyGauge®

If you happen to have Elite Software's RHVAC program or you are thinking of purchasing it, this will be an excellent opportunity to learn first hand how to properly use the program. Bring your lap top computer and follow along.  This session will be four hours long and the cost will be $75.00. Register at: www.calcs-plus.com.

EEBA Houses That Work
Presenter: Gord Cooke
1:00 - 4:30 p.m. -- Marina IV
EEBA presents a Houses That Work session designed for the energy rater. This is an advanced building science session dealing specifically with air flow. This pre-conference session will cover:

• The science of air flow, the pressures involved, and the impact on energy performance
• Helping your builders achieve better air tightness results
• Achieving air tightness without compromising safety
• Air tightness and air quality, how it fits into the ENERGY STAR Plus air quality label

HERS® Rating 101: Equipment, Education, Experience
Presenter: Abraham Kruger, Southface Energy Institute
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. -- Nautilus 1
Many individuals attend the RESNET Conference to determine whether they will enter the rating industry. Many of the sessions offered in past conferences are a bit too high in jargon and assumed knowledge for persons just entering the rating industry. This session will introduce a beginner to the rating industry and provide a context for the other more advanced sessions to be offered at the conference. Specifically, the course will have a section on each of the E's listed below:

• Equipment: Introduce blower door, duct tightness tester, and infrared camera. Suggested equipment list would be helpful (ladder, flashlight, etc.) will also be provided.
• Education: Will explain the opportunities for education and the path to becoming a certified rater. Will also explain the continuing education requirements.
• Experience: Will discuss the experience of being a new rater, what to expect, and how to get started. Will also explain the rater/provider relationship and tell the new raters what are reasonable responsibilities and expectations.

"Going for Performance"- The Move Towards Performance Testing in the California Building Energy Codes
Presenter: Doug Beaman, Douglas Beaman Associates
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. -- Nautilus 5
California has long led the nation in increasing energy efficiency of buildings through effective energy codes. Now the Golden State has something new to offer - the requirement that homes, ducts, and envelops must be performance tested by a certified rater and, for existing homes, the duct system must be performance tested by a certified rater during an air conditioner change-out. This session will feature the role of the rater in the California energy code.

HERS Meets Green Building: The GreenPoint Rated and LEED-H Programs in California
Presenters:
Ann Edminster, Design AVEnues
Brian Gitt, Build It Green
Jay Hall, U.S. Green Building Council
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. -- Nautilus 4
This session will explore how you can help your clients meet growing consumer demand for green homes, outpace your competition, and establish your market presence as a green builder. Increasingly savvy home buyers want high-performance homes without sacrificing health, durability, and other resource conservation and environmentally friendly features—they want green homes. This trend represents an emerging business opportunity for HERS raters to participate in programs that rate homes on both energy and non-energy benefits. Both the GreenPoint Rated and LEED-H programs reward builders who create green homes by allowing them to brand their products with a recognizable, trustworthy seal of approval. Both incorporate independent verification to provide consumers with assurance that the home they are buying meets established criteria for energy and resource efficiency and health.

Using the Internet to Make Your Life Easier
Presenter: Randy Martin, R. L. Martin Associates, Inc.
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. -- Nautilus 5
This presentation will look at how raters and energy professionals can use their email, web site, mobile devices, etc. to make their jobs easier, save time and save money.

Conference Sessions
Monday, February 19, 2007

Registration
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. -- Conference Exhibit Area

Opening General Session
8:30 a.m. - Noon -- Harbor Island Ballrooms II & III

Welcome from RESNET Board President
Kelly Parker

Monetizing Building Energy Performance in Private Investment Decisions
Steve Baden, RESNET

European Union Energy Performance in Buildings Directive
Eduardo Maldonado, Chair, European Union Energy Performance in Buildings Directive Concerted Action Group

G8 Climate Change Initiative - What It Means to Building Performance
Paul Waide, International Energy Agency

Presentation of 2007 RESNET Leadership Awards
Kelly Parker, President, RESNET Board

The View from ENERGY STAR
David Lee, Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Department of Energy National Builders Challenge
Edward Pollock, Department of Energy

Lunch
Noon - 1:30 p.m. -- Lanai Grass

Session 1
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Lessons Learned from Building America: Duct Designs in Low Load Houses - Challenges and Solutions
Moderator: Ren Anderson, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Presenters:
- Duncan Prahl, IBACOS
- Anthony Stamatopoulos, IBACOS
Nautilus 1
Discussion will center on maintaining comfort when the house is ENERGY STAR or better - with right sized equipment pushing 800 - 1,000 SF/ton - long duct runs, small airflow requirements per room, and the critical factors for success (tight ducts, register selection, consider air velocity, static regain, etc).

Infrared Scanning Technology and the RESNET Insulation Quality Installation Inspection Procedures
Moderator: Bruce Harley, Conservation Services Group
Presenter: Bret Monroe, Monroe Infrared Technology, Inc.
Nautilus 2
The RESNET insulation installation inspection procedures require that only through a pre-dry wall inspection can insulation installation be rated as a grade III. The emerging technology of infrared inspection offers an opportunity for raters to evaluate insulation installation after the dry wall has been installed. This session will explore what standards and procedures must be adopted to be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

The RESNET HERS Index - The Path to Zero Energy Homes
Moderator: Michael Holtz, Architectural Energy Corporation
Presenter: Philip Fairey, Florida Solar Energy Center
Nautilus 3
In July 2006, RESNET implemented the new HERS Index. The index rates the home according to the energy it consumes. A standard home today is rated as 100 and a home that uses net zero energy is rated as 0. Older homes' ratings increase as they are less efficient than the standard home built today. This new metric allows a path to the net zero energy home. It also presents a foundation to compare the various energy programs - International Energy Conservation Code, Building America, and Net Zero Energy Home. This session will discuss how programs can take advantage of this home energy performance metric.

Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Existing Building Stock: What Worked: What Might be Better
Moderator: David Goldstein, Natural Resources Defense Council
Presenter: Paul Waide, International Energy Agency
Nautilus 4
This session will report on the findings of a new assessment of the technical policy, economic issues related to the potential of energy efficiency improvements in buildings in the U.S. conducted by the International Energy Agency. The project assesses the impact of past policies and programs on building energy use in America. It also estimates the potential impact of new policies. This session will provide an insight from the International Energy Agency on the global best practices to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings.

Financing Whole House Energy Efficiency: Raters Offering Homeowners Access to Financing for Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Product Installation
Moderator: Daran Wastchak, D.R. Wastchak, LLC
Presenters:
- Dave Lall, Demilec USA, LLC
- Bruce Matulich, Electric & Gas Industries Association
Nautilus 5
Helping homeowners move up to comprehensive whole-house retrofits and the installation of high efficiency equipment often comes down to cost. Even with the greater life-cycle benefits of reduced energy cost and increased comfort and safety, many homeowners continue to opt for the less efficient solution with the lowest first-cost. Offering homeowners the right financing and thoroughly integrating financing into the energy efficiency sales process overcomes the initial cost obstacle and clears the way for increased sales and profitability. Learn what financing options are available today, how the right financing positively influences consumer buying behavior and how to effectively integrate the availability of low interest financing into your next customer sales call.

The Path of Least Resistance: Moisture Sources & Transport (Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenter: John L. Hockman, J.L. Hockman Consulting, Inc.
Harbor Ball Room II
Moisture is involved in many building performance and building related health problems. Investigate the sources of moisture, the path it travels, the forces that drive it, and the mechanisms by which it causes problems. Learn practical solutions to these problems in the single and multi-unit housing segment.

California Rater's Role in Future Title 24 Versions and Update on Plans for 2008 (California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultant Track)
Presenter: G. William Pennington, California Energy Commission
Harbor Ballroom III
This session will preview the plans for the 2008 Title 24 code changes with the verification and certification roles for energy raters as the emphasis. The discussion will include technical skill requirements, certification of plans, interface with local building departments, and future projected role for raters.

Session 2
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Green Building - You Don't Have to Go Weird to Go Green (Sponsored by LP Building Products)
Moderator: Ryan Wehner, LP Building Products
Presenter: Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA, Barley + Pfeiffer Architects
Nautilus 1
With a strong emphasis on design integration, this presentation will arm you with ammunition to better understand the value of designing and building homes that are more comfortable, healthier, environmentally sensitive, and significantly less expensive to operate. You will be surprised to learn how basic and inexpensive "green high performance" home building can be. Drawing on residential case studies in the southern United States, including the 2004 Dallas "Zero Energy House", this presentation will present an integrated approach to the five pillars of "green" building - from well thought-out programming & site planning to easy to understand integrated building sciences. Field examples of basic as well as advanced green building strategies will be critiqued - what worked and what hasn't over the past twenty some-odd years. How various building components interact with each other to effect health, building maintenance, water conservation, and energy efficiency will also intrigue you!

Ensuring the Quality of Insulation Installation - RESNET's New Insulation Inspection Procedures
Moderator: Kate Offringa, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Presenter: Bruce Harley, Conservation Services Group
Nautilus 2
One of the most significant enhancements to the RESNET technical standard that went into effect on July 1, 2006, is the consideration of the quality of the installation of insulation in the rating inspection. The national rating standard now rates the quality of insulation into three categories and requires a pre-drywall inspection by the rater. This session will explain the new insulation inspection procedures and discuss how this will change the rating inspection procedures.

Energy Efficiency: Beyond kW and kWh - Selling Environmental Benefits and More
Moderator: Steve Byers, EnergyLogic
Presenter: Stephen Cowell, Conservation Services Group
Nautilus 3
There is a growing opportunity towards the monetizing of energy savings. This session will explore the opportunities to finance energy improvements of buildings through such finance mechanisms as NOx cap and trade systems, CO2 cap and trade, capacity and reserve supplemental energy markets, and white tags.

Status of European Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD)
Moderator: Paul Waide, International Energy Agency
Presenters:
- Knut Hoyer, Testo
- Eduardo Maldando, EU EPBD Concerted Action Group
Nautilus 4
The European Union has enacted the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This legislation sets a requirement that all member states must require ratings of buildings at the time of sale or change of occupancy. This session will review the status of the national activities of Austria, France and Germany on the EPBD in the residential building sector. It will also cover actual examples of energy saving improvements in relation to their costs.

Overview of the New RESNET Sampling Standard
Moderator: Lee O'Neal NSpects
Presenters:
- C.T. Loyd, The Nelrod Company
- Kelly Parker, Guaranteed Watt Savers
- Daran Wastchak, D.R. Wastchak, LLC
Nautilus 5
For the past three years, RESNET has been developing a sampling standard that has involved a task force of industry leaders and two public review and comment periods. This session will provide an overall view of the new standard and answer raters' questions.

Mechanical Ventilation in Existing Homes
(Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenter: John L. Hockman, JL Hockman Consulting, Inc.
Harbor Ballroom II
When done right, mechanical ventilation can improve air quality and prevent building failures. When done wrong, it can cause more problems than it solves... and increase utility bills. Learn about system design, installation details, controls, occupant education, and maintenance that make a big difference in long-term system performance and reliability.

2005 Title 24 New Construction Standards - The Rater's Role
(California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultant Track)
Presenter: Doug Beaman, Douglas Beaman
Harbor Ballroom III
The verification of the efficiency of new homes and commercial buildings has expanded once again. In addition to verification of ducts; infiltration rates; thermal expansion valves; and other features, the major new areas of insulation installation quality and thermal bypass has been added. Learn what the regulations require and how to make sure you are documenting and registering the verifications properly.

Conference Reception (Sponsored by Icynene)
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Bayview Lawn

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Continental Breakfast
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. -- - Exhibit Area

Session 3
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Learn to Measure HVAC System Static Pressure - A Missing Link in Rating HVAC Performance
Moderator: Bill Lilly, California Living and Energy
Presenter: Rob Falke, National Comfort Institute
Nautilus 1
Come and put your hands on a live HVAC system and learn how to measure its Total External Static Pressure. Also learn how to measure filter pressure drops, interpret fan airflow, and diagnose the performance of an HVAC system. Learn how pressure varies throughout an HVAC system and what duct pressurization test methods aren't telling you about HVAC system performance.

Carbon Trading - The Role of Building Energy Performance
Moderator: Mark Jansen, Energy Efficient Homes Midwest
Presenters:
- Steve Baden, RESNET
- Thomas Hamilton, Quality Built
- Kelly Parker, Guaranteed Watt Savers
Nautilus 2
As a result of the Kyoto Climate Change Accord, a market has developed for the trading of carbon emissions reduction credits. This market is already a $8 billion market in Europe. Efforts led by the state of California and the northeastern states are leading to cap and trade protocols in the U.S. The Los Angeles Times projected it will be a $40 billion industry in the U.S. by the end of the next decade. Buildings create 40% of the carbon emissions in the U.S. and Europe. How would building energy performance fit into a carbon trading regime? What steps are necessary to achieve this? What are the business opportunities to the rating industry? This session will explore these questions.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes New Specifications: Are We Having Fun Yet?
Moderator: Rick Marx, EAM Associates
Presenter: Sam Rashkin, Environmental Protection Agency
Nautilus 3
We couldn't have asked for a greater challenge than to introduce new specifications for ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes at the same time codes and standards were changing, RESNET HERS standards and scoring system were being completely revamped, new HERS software was being introduced, two new national green labeling programs were being introduced, and the home building bubble finally started losing some of its air. This session will share technical, logistical and marketing lessons that have made this a truly fun year.

LEED for Homes - Results of Pilot Program and Sneak Preview of National Roll Out
Moderator: Barb Yankie, Homes +, Inc.
Presenter: Jay Hall, U.S. Green Building Council
Nautilus 4
In 2006 the U.S. Green Building Conference initiated a pilot LEED for Homes program using RESNET accredited rating providers. This session would share the experience of several pilot providers and discuss the provisions for a national roll out of LEED Homes.

Pressure Testing of Ducts and the IECC- A Time That Has Come?
Moderator: David Wilson, Energy Rated Homes of Utah
Presenter: Todd Taylor, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Nautilus 5
The U.S. Department of Energy and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is currently conducting the background work for a potential code change to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that would require pressure testing of ducts. They are in the process of gathering technical documentation on the issue and will be engaging the various duct experts in the near future to begin scoping out a possible approach. This session will be a "working meeting" to discuss this issue and gather feedback from the RESNET network

Getting the Most Out of Your Diagnostic Equipment
(Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenter: Joe Kuonen, Building Performance Institute
Sea Breeze
Take advantage of this opportunity to hear tips and refinements for your diagnostic equipment, along with the chance to ask questions. Understand common maintenance techniques. Utilize ideas to increase the profitability of your diagnostic tests.

HVAC Change Out Regulations and Rater Verification
(California Energy Rater and Energy Building Consultant Track)
Presenter: Doug Beaman, Douglas Beaman and Associates
Marina VI
On October 1, 2005, the Title 24 standards were changed to aggressively address existing home HVAC change outs by requiring duct testing and sealing in most climate zones. Installing contractors must certify their own work and have a sample tested randomly by raters to check the leakage of ducts. Attend this session to learn the implications for raters in California.

Session 4
10:30 a.m. - Noon

Cost Effective Methods for Sealing the Building Envelope to Reduce Thermal By-Passes and Control Call backs Due to Moisture Laden Air Flow
(Sponsored by Weatherization Partner, Ltd.)
Moderator: Craig Ratajczyk, Dupont Tyvek
Presenter: Steve Easley, Building Media, Inc.
Nautilus 1
How many times have you heard the phrase "We never had these problems with homes until we started tightening homes up". This class illustrates why tighter buildings actually perform better, last longer, and are safer to live in than the typical "accidentally ventilated" home. Steve Easley uses slides from the field to show problems and solutions to control the damaging effects of air infiltration/exfiltration and moisture laden air movement. Practical approaches for air sealing, reducing thermal by-passes, and cost effective insulation levels and materials are the focus of the class. Air barrier and vapor retarder selections and their proper locations will also be discussed.

White Tags - Trading Energy Efficiency as a Commodity
Moderator: Philip Fairey, Florida Solar Energy Center
Presenter: Paul MacGregor, Sterling Planet
Nautilus 2
Twenty states have enacted renewable energy portfolios that require utilities to provide a percentage of their energy load from renewable energy sources. Utilities that are not able to produce this requirement are able to purchase credits from other sources. This cap and trade regime has resulted in a healthy commodities trading market. In 2005, over $900 million were traded in renewable credits. Spurred by this success, state utility regulatory commissions are looking to energy efficiency portfolios. This commodity is called White Tags. This session will introduce White Tags and explore their potential for financing building energy efficiency. It will also discuss the role that energy ratings can play.

Round Table Discussion of Construction Errors Identified during the Rating Process
Moderator: Janet McIlvaine, Florida Solar Energy Center
Presenters:
- Ken Fonorow, Florida H.E.R.O.
- Dennis Stroer, Calcs-Plus
Nautilus 3
Construction errors caught by raters as they conduct on-site verification of specifications and plans can save builders not only call back headaches but also money and time - making raters a valuable player in quality control. Share your experience and learn from your fellow raters.

Building a Low Energy Home - Builders Perspective of the Role of the Energy Rater
Moderator: Edward Pollock, U.S. Department of Energy
Presenters:
- Vernon McKown, Ideal Homes of Norman, LP
- Orlo Stitt, Stitt Energy Systems, Inc.
Nautilus 4
This session features builders that are pioneering the movement to low energy homes. The session will examine the builder motivations, the emerging market for high performance homes, and how the builder sees the rater's role in the process.

ENERGY STAR and Multi-family Housing: We're Working on It
Moderator: Ben Adams, MaGrann Associates
Presenters:
- Richard Faesy, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- David Lee, Environmental Protection Agency
- Courtney Moriarta, Steven Winter Design
Nautilus 5
Clearly, ENERGY STAR for Homes has had the greatest impact on traditional single family homes and town homes. However, interest continues to grow in labeling low-rise apartments and high-rise homes. This session will discuss two new technical developments including recommendations for field testing low-rise apartments and prescriptive packages that help identify energy efficiency targets for high-rise buildings.

Improving the Thermal Envelope (Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenter: Bruce Harley, Conservation Services Group
Sea Breeze
Understand the importance of proper density, technique, air sealing, and quality control. Explore design details and installation practices that address boundary issues. Find out how to prevent moisture and air leakage between cavities.

HVAC Changeout Verification Using Certified Quality Assurance (California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultant Track)
Presenters:
- Randal Riedel, California Building Contractors Association - Handout
- Michael Bachan, CalCERTS
Marina VI
Learn how the California Energy Commission's (CEC) new quality assurance programs work to decrease the sampling rate from one in seven to one in thirty.

Lunch
Noon - 1:30 p.m. -- - Lanai Grass

Sessions 5
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

The Rater as a Quality Assurance Provider
Moderator: John Loyer, Icynene
Presenters:
- Ben Adams, MaGrann Associates
- Doug Beaman, Douglas Beaman and Associates
- C.T. Loyd, The Nelrod Company
Nautilus 1
Learn the value of business diversification by expanding into services beyond HERS ratings for EPA's Energy Star Homes program. In 2006 RESNET convened a focus group of industry leaders to develop a prioritized list of potential new services for home energy raters. This session will review this list, present some specific examples already being tried, and open the floor to discussion of potential next steps for raters, rating organizations and RESNET.

Time Has Come Today - A New Look at Energy Efficient Mortgages
Moderator: Dave Roberts, Architectural Energy Corporation
Presenters:
- Steve Baden, RESNET
- David Goldstein, Natural Resources Defense Council
Nautilus 2
Energy efficient mortgages have been around for decades but have spurred little consumer response. This session will provide a summary of the mortgage product and the underwriting streamlining that has take place over the past five years. The session will also provide an analysis of why the energy efficient mortgage's promise has not been realized. The session will conclude with presenting a whole new approach that will factor the monthly energy savings into the qualification for a mortgage loan.

Professional (E&O) Liability Insurance for RESNET Members -
Moderator: Allison Senniger, Thermo-Scan Inspections
Presenter: Joe Ziegler, Lockton Affinity
Nautilus 3
Joe Ziegler from Lockton Affinity will discuss the Professional Liability Insurance product that is available for RESNET Home Energy Raters and Inspectors. The session will cover why it is important to have Professional Liability coverage, examples of potential claims, sample premiums, and coverage information.

Lessons Learned from Building America: Effective Zoned Systems
Moderator: Ren Anderson, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Presenters:
- Ken Fonorow, Florida H.E.R.O
- Dennis Stroer, Clacs - Plus
Nautilus 4
When ducts are designed and installed properly, multi-zone systems can be a viable solution to reduce energy use, increase comfort, and take care of party loads. This session will explore this issue and provide information on how to create effective zoned systems.

Development of a More Appropriate Thermal Performance Metric (Sponsored by Icynene)
Moderator: Mark Curry, Energy Sense
Presenters:
- Gabe Farkas, Icynene
- Ed Reeves, Icynene
Nautilus 5
Historically, increased R-value has meant increased energy efficiency; however, due to limitations with dimensional construction and costs, increasing energy efficiency by simply increasing R-value is not feasible. Today's energy crisis requires a new approach; there are new technologies, materials, and applications that significantly increase the efficiency of the thermal envelope but are not recognized by the current metric. Recognition will motivate further development and adoption. This discussion will focus on the development of the new approach.

Developing Your Home Performance Business (Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenters:
- Joe Kuonen, Building Performance Institute
- Keith Williams, Building Services and Consulting, LLC
Sea Breeze
Integrate specific strategies and results used to break into the world of home performance contracting. Discover how "value-added" services and products will help start or improve your home performance career. Find out how to develop your business plan, products, and service offerings for your own home performance business.

Processing the $2,000 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes in California (California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultant Track)
Presenters:
- Doug Beaman, Douglas Beaman Associates
- Robert Scott, CHEERS
Marina VI
How to make the federal tax credit work for homes exceeding the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by 50% given the issues and roles in California new construction. This session will explore the interface of the role of the building energy consultant and plan review with the verification by the energy rater in opening the door to California builders to the tax credit. Responsibility and liability will be explained.

Session 6
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

"Conditioned Space": Can We Decide on a Definition Once and for All?
Moderator: Richard Faesy, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Presenters:
- Bruce Harley, Conservation Services Group
- Dave Roberts, Architectural Energy Corporation
- Todd Taylor, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Iain Walker, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Nautilus 1
Wouldn't it be nice to have one consistent uniform definition of "conditioned space"? Sometimes, we seem to have different definitions for each of our worlds: codes, HERS, audits, software, ventilation, utility program, building science, etc. Basements, crawl spaces, kneewall spaces, cathedralized attics and other areas in our buildings have all been gray areas for years. This interactive session will lay out the issues, compare current "conditioned space" definitions for each circumstance, and attempt to derive a common and acceptable definition.

What's Happening with Home Performance in Canada?
Moderator: Bruce Gough, Energy Building Group
Presenters:
- Paul Duffy, Buchan, Lawton, Parent, Ltd.
- John Godden, Alpha-Tec Consulting and Construction
- Peter Reynolds, Reynolds & Associates
Nautilus 2
This session will explain the changing residential energy efficiency environment in Canada. The Canadian government has cancelled the EGH audit program for existing homes on one hand while the Ontario Energy Star Homes program is gaining momentum. In addition, Canadian raters are forming a RESNET in Canada. This session will feature a panel of Canadian home performance professionals.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Marketing Tools Update
Moderator: Laurel Elam, Appalachian State University Energy Center
Presenter: Sam Rashkin, Environmental Protection Agency
Nautilus 3
ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes continually improves its marketing tools to help raters and builders get more value from their partnership. In this session, you will learn about: the revamped ENERGY STAR Sales Toolkit that is changing to a web-based platform and being enhanced with a new homeowner manual option; new Builder Recruiting Tool Kit to help raters promote their businesses and services to builders; updated Web site; and new outreach campaign for promoting ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes in local markets.

Extend and Amend: Congressional Action on the Building Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives
Moderator: Greg Nahn, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Presenter: David Goldstein, Natural Resources Defense Council
Nautilus 4
The building energy efficiency tax incentives passed by Congress in 2005 only have a two year life span. There are also structural problems with the existing homes tax credit and commercial building tax incentive. This session will provide a survey of initiatives currently being considered by Congress to extend the tax incentives and amend them to be more effective to the goal of market transformation.

Lessons Learned from Building America: Mechanical Ventilation - How Much is Enough? Can There be Too Much?
Moderator: Ren Anderson, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Presenter:
- Subrato Chandra, Florida Solar Energy Center
- Armin Rudd, Building Science Corporation
Nautilus 5
This session will describe the current practices in this area by several Building America teams and point out the controversies and current research on this topic.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
(Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenters:
- Andrew Fisk, NYSERDA
- Robert Knight, Bevilacqua-Knight, Inc.
- Patricia Plympton, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Sea Breeze
Discover the basics of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program. Hear program results and lessons learned from several states. Get an overview of the available programs in California. Integrate your role as a HERS rater into quality assurance practices.

How to Reach the Required 50% Savings in California and Qualify for the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes
(California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultant Track)
Presenter: Ken Nittler, Enercomp, Inc.
Marina VI
Analysis of what it will take for a builder to achieve the 50% savings compared to the IECC in California climate by climate. The session will include a discussion of the relative cost effectiveness of measures and technologies that will assist in making the 50% target.

RESNET's Beer Fiesta
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. -- Exhibit Area

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Continental Breakfast
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. -- Exhibit Area

Session 7
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Implementing Thermal Bypass Checklist: Raters Perspective from the Field
Moderator: Steve Saunders, TexEnergy Solutions, Inc.
Presenters:
- Thomas Marston, Energy Services Group
- Kelly Parker, Guaranteed Watt Savers
- Sam Rashkin, Environmental Protection Agency
Nautilus 1
Since July 1, 2006, raters have been required to complete the EPA thermal bypass checklist. Not complying with the checklist, however, did not affect a home being labeled as ENERGY STAR. Beginning on January 1, 2007, the EPA requires that builders comply with the checklist. This session will describe experiences of raters in different markets to date in implementing this new EPA checklist for site and factory built housing.

Verifying the Quality of HERS Ratings: Three Years of Results from a Texas QA/QC Process
Moderator: Patrice Pruitt, Texas Home Energy Raters Organization
Presenter: Brian Preston Smith, ICF International
Nautilus 2
ICF International has been implementing a successful Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) process for the TXU Electric Delivery (TXU ED) ENERGY STAR® Homes Program (ESHP) since 2004. The main goals of the QAQC process are to verify that RESNET standards are followed by HERS Raters, confirm the data used by TXU ED to calculate predicted kW and kWh savings reported to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and help strengthen the integrity of the ENERGY STAR Home label and the HERS rating process. What makes this QAQC process unique is its built-in Corrective Action Process, which aims to achieve continuous improvements in the ESHP. The Corrective Action Process identifies discrepancies and failures, identifies their cause, presents issues to raters and TX HERO, encourages the development of industry standards/best practices, and monitors progress towards improvements
During this session, the program will share observations, issues, new best practices, and lessons learned from implementing the QAQC process during the past three years. Specific quantitative results will be presented as actions taken to improve the home energy ratings with the final outcomes and recommendations.

Other Markets: Energy Audits of Subsidized Housing
Moderator: David Wilson, Energy Rated Homes of Utah
Presenter: Ron Hughes, HERS, Inc.
Nautilus 3
Energy audits have been required every five years under USDA's Rural Development properties since the 1980‘s. While those audits are now voluntary, HUD is now requiring energy audits of Public Housing and elderly 202 properties. Standards for an energy auditor are equivalent to State standards and most states do not have a standard. Data on the thermal properties of public housing is scarce. Energy raters are uniquely qualified to provide this service. Learn what is required, how to enter this market, and what related opportunities there may be for calculating utility allowances, improvement contracting, quality control or performance contracting.

IAQ Details: Tips from the New EPA Indoor Air Package Guide
Moderator: David Bell, Masco Services Group
Presenters:
- Steve Byers, EnergyLogic
- Eric Werling, Environmental Protection Agency
Nautilus 4
The EPA's new Indoor Air Package adds a comprehensive set of practical IAQ risk reduction features above and beyond ENERGY STAR requirements. Most of these IAQ features are common practice among quality builders, but a few go beyond standard practice. This session highlights new EPA guidance on how to achieve these risk reductions, effectively and at low cost. We'll go into depth on the IAP specification areas that pilot builders and raters needed the most help with, including commonly overlooked moisture control details, radon resistant construction techniques, HVAC design and testing issues, and garage isolation.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes and Manufactured Housing: HUD Code and Modular Homes
Moderator: Eric Shoberg, Southwest Gas Corporation
Presenters:
- David Lee, Environmental Protection Agency
- Emanuel Levy, Manufactured Housing Research Alliance
- Neal Moyer, Florida Solar Energy Center
Nautilus 5
Tremendous strides have been made getting ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes into the manufactured housing industry for HUD Code homes. Additionally, new verification protocols are being developed for modular homes constructed in plants building HUD Code Homes. This session will explain why these alternative options were developed, how they work, and how HERS raters can get involved.

Combustion Safety: Understanding Carbon Monoxide (Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenter: Erik Rasmussen, Carbon Monoxide Safety Association
Sea Breeze
Efforts to conserve energy [in the home] must always include combustion appliance safety checks, both before and after the work is completed. Explore the basics to combustion, equipment used for testing, and common problems and cures.

California HERS Regulation Development for Existing Homes (California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultants Track)
Presenter: Dale Trenschel, California Energy Commission
Marina VI
Update on the issues and progress in developing the existing home rating protocol and policy for California. The session will include a discussion of the future implementation plans of AB 549 conclusions.

Session 8
10:30 a.m. - Noon

Making the Grade - Real Life Examples of Meeting the Threshold for the Federal Tax Credit
Moderator: Michael Holtz, Architectural Energy Corporation
Presenters:
- Mat Gates, Residential Science Resources, LLC
- Mark Jansen, Energy Efficient Homes Midwest
- Kelly Parker, Guaranteed Watt Savers
- Robby Schwarz, EnergyLogic
Nautilus 1
What will it take for a builder to meet the 50% threshold of the federal tax credit for energy efficient homes? This session will provide real life cases of homes that have met the tax credit in regions across the nation.

Calculation of AC System Performance Without Gauges
Moderator: Douglas Walter, Kansas Building Science Institute
Presenter: Bill Spohn, Testo
Nautilus 2
Field instrumentation to measure airflow and humidity is now accurate enough to allow calculation of cooling tons in the field using the classic total heat equation. Advanced digital meters now perform this calculation in real-time and allow for data logging of the results. Specific contractor examples will be shown.

Codes, Ratings, Energy Star and Tax Credits, Oh My!
Moderator: Barb Yankie, Homes +, Inc.
Presenters:
- Philip Fairey, Florida Solar Energy Center
- Dave Roberts, Architectural Energy Corporation
Nautilus 3
Sorting through the various home energy performance metrics can be confounding. How does "percent better than code" relate to the HERS Index? Why doesn't this 75 point home meet Energy Star? Why doesn't this Energy Star home meet code? How is it that this home meets the tax credit requirements but doesn't qualify for Energy Star? This session will answer these and other brain teasers, and help Raters gain a better understanding of the idiosyncrasies of the various energy codes and efficiency programs.

Predicting Savings
Moderator: David Meisegeier, ICF International
Presenters:
- Steve Bonanno, NSTAR
- Kim Hooper, TXU Electric Delivery
- Kelly Carson, Entergy
Nautilus 4
Many utilities around the country have adopted residential energy efficiency programs, including ENERGY STAR for Homes. These programs typically rely on HERS raters to assess the performance of homes. There is no consistent method used to estimate the program's savings, but several utilities have incorporated the HERS Index into their methodology. This session looks at the role the HERS Index has in predicting energy savings from utility programs and introduces a Predictive Savings Tool that is used by several utilities.

Herding Cats - iRate Online Rating Management Tool
Moderator: Claudia Brovick, RESNET
Presenters:
- Steve Byers, EnergyLogic
- Wynne Maggi, EnergyLogic
- Robby Schwarz, EnergyLogic
Nautilus 5
EnergyLogic has developed a web-based rating company management tool to manage all aspects of an energy rating company's operations. From scheduling to billing, iRate is a one stop shop for managing rating operations and integrating both REM/Rate® and QuickBooks®. Join us for a demonstration of the tool and a Q and A about its capabilities and the development process.

Diagnostics: Performance & Profit (Affordable Comfort/Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Track)
Presenter: Building Services & Consulting, LLC
Sea Breeze
Learn how home performance contractors use diagnostics to appeal to customers' interest for comfortable, healthy homes, and thrifty utility costs. REAL customer service really sells solutions, and plenty of them!

Update on Utility and Third Party Programs Impacting California Home Energy Raters (California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultant Track)
Presenters:
- David Blanke, Sempra Energy
- Colin Jessop, HMG
Presentation 1 / Presentation 2 / Presentation 3 / Presentation 4
Marina VI
The session will address changes in new construction program plans and the rater's role in the future and also the plans for the retrofit program along with the rater's role.

Lunch
Noon - 1:30 p.m. -- Lanai Grass

Session 9
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

RESNET's Effort to Develop National Standard for Energy Audits of Existing Homes
Moderator: Laurel Elam, Appalachian State University Energy Center
Presenters:
- Steve Baden, RESNET
- Kelly Parker, Guaranteed Watt Savers
Nautilus 1
Energy audits have been around since the 1970's. In fact they have been around so long that there are a number of interpretations of what exactly is an energy audit. RESNET is undertaking an initiative to define a process for measuring the energy efficiency of existing homes. Because of the diversity of the nation's housing stock and homeowners, no one single tool will meet all needs. This session will introduce the RESNET process, explain its goals, and provide an update to the process.

ACCA Manual J Load Calculation - An Overview for the Energy Rater
Moderator: Tei Kucharski, Florida Solar Energy Center
Presenter: Dennis Stroer, Calcs-Plus
Nautilus 2
A key element in the high performance of a home is the proper sizing of the HVAC system. In 2006, both the ENERGY STAR for Homes specifications and the RESNET national home energy rating standards will require the proper sizing of HVAC systems. The industry standard for HVAC load calculations is the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J. This session will provide an overview of the tool for raters and discuss the impact that the tool can have on ratings and business opportunities for raters.

The Existing Homes Challenge for Raters
Moderator: Dale Hoffmeyer, Environmental Protection Agency
Presenters:
- Lee O'Neal, NSpects
- Steve Saunders, TexEnergy Solutions, Inc.
- Keith Williams, Building Services & Consulting, LLC
Nautilus 4
Come learn how some of the best raters are evolving their businesses to include an existing homes service delivery to better diversify their businesses. How well does your new homes' rater experience translate to the existing homes market?

ENERGY STAR Homes Program National Review
Moderator: Jim Larsen, Cardinal Glass Industries
Presenter: Steve Bonnano, NSTAR
Nautilus 5
New England utilities conducted an eye-opening study of the ENERGY STAR Homes from around the country and found a wide variety of approaches, offerings, incentives, and levels of success. Hear about how ENERGY STAR Homes programs in different states approach their markets and what they have learned in the process about what works and what doesn't .. This study also looked at how others are dealing with the impact of the new EPA requirements for ENERGY STAR homes including what other programs are doing to maintain participation under the new EPA requirements and how they are treating homes that do not meet the new ENERGY STAR requirements.

California Solar Initiative and the Future Role for Raters
(California Energy Rater and Building Energy Consultant Track)
Presenters:
- Shagun Boughen, Pacific Gas and Electric
- Devan Johnson, kW Engineering
Marina VI
The new California Solar Initiative will require a home analysis of energy efficiency of the homes participating in the program to ensure that the cost effective efficiency is addressed prior to allocation of a solar rebate. Though this "energy audit" is not a rating, it's processing will be similar and offering the service will be a great opportunity for California raters.

Session 10
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Building Performance Institute and RESNET - How Home Energy Raters fit into Building Performance
Moderator: Larry Zarker, Building Performance Institute
Presenters:
- Steve Baden, RESNET
- William Parlapiano III, Building Performance Institute
Nautilus 1
The Building Performance Institute is developing a national set of standards and infrastructure for improving the energy performance and health and safety of existing homes. How do the BPI standards relate to RESNET standards? How can the two organizations work together to promote home performance? What role do energy raters play in this effort? This session will explore each of these questions.

HUD's Emerging National Home Improvement Protocols for Contractors
Moderator: Michael Freedberg, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Presenters:
- Chris Fennell, Institute for Building Technology & Safety
- Robert Knight, Bevilacqua-Knight, Inc.
- Greg Thomas, Performance System Development
Nautilus 2
This project, a part of the PATH Roadmap, seeks to build a web-based reference for contractors and raters on best practices for energy-efficient, safe, and high-quality home improvements including HVAC and building measures. This session would be an update of the similar sessions held at RESNET and ACI this year. It will present the overall HUD project purpose, scope, status, and plans for completion, and seek questions and input from RESNET participants.

Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina Fuel Cell Tour
Conference Registration Table
The 2007 RESNET Building Conference's hotel, the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, has a commitment to energy efficiency. The hotel meets its base power load by four fuel cell power plants. The waste heat from the fuel cells is used to heat the hotel's Lagoon Pool. See tomorrow's future today; join the tour of this innovative technology.