Altitude Thickness- Making heavy decisions with altitude adjustments in mind. With RESNET Standard 310, measurements such as static pressure and airflow, as well as confirming equipment sizing are impacted by elevation. What else might be impacted in Rated homes? Heat Pump Water Heaters? Building Stack Effect? Radon fan flows? Join Zak and Joe on a journey through the peaks and valleys of applying altitude adjustments to Home Energy Rating and never feel like an airhead again! 

Learning Objectives. After the session, attendees will... 

• Understand how much air is in a pound at different elevations. 
•  Recognize which measurements and performance estimates are most impacted by high elevations. 
•  Be able to confidently understand how to factor altitude into these assessments. 

Mr. Baden will describe his and the HERS industry's decades long journey that has led to where RESNET and HERS are today.  He will conclude a peek into what the future has in store. 

Let's take a look at the relationship between code officials and raters to understand how they work together, what the expectations are of each other, and what we can do to close some gaps and gain some respect for each other's points of view.  

Learning Objectives:

• To understand how code officials view energy raters when it comes to code compliance verification. 
• To look at the issues that energy raters have with the various code officials and all of the different code amendments 
• To understand the concept of MOUs between raters and code officials to set expectations for code compliance verification. 
• To just get a chance to voice your concerns about each other in a public forum

The work that RESNET HERS® Raters do is becoming increasingly more mainstream. As raters, your testing, verification and energy modeling is now recognized in tax credits, building codes, investment tools, and shareholder sustainability reports. These are not only important drivers of business, but also an indication of progress toward RESNET’s larger mission. That is a sign of success. But success always comes with a price. We are less insulated than ever from outside influences. In this session, we will explore the most recent policies and program decisions that will absolutely affect the daily work of every individual rater and Rating Field Inspector. We will also discuss how and when to get involved (and when it may be wise to remain neutral).  

Learning Outcomes:  

• Learn about the RESNET/Leading Builders of America joint taskforce and how the policies they are drafting will affect rating companies. 
• List new policies that have been developed and predict what may be next. 
• Understand how and when to make your voice heard. 
• Clarify the latest regarding the fate of federal residential building programs and discuss ideas to fill potential voids if they are eliminated.

Wildfire smoke seems like its everywhere at once. In addition, wildfire smoke, the health effects of breathing PM 2.5 particles on health is being better understood. This session will focus on the design of HVAC systems to reduce the level of indoor particulates. Think of adding an F to HVAC and making it HVFAC  

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the air Quality Index (AQI) is calculated  
• Understand the various filter rating systems  
• Understand how air velocity affects filter performance  
• Understand how simple duct modifications can improve filtration 

Join Shawn LeMons as he talks through his production built 1993, converted to all-electric, complete with heat pumps, and an electric vehicle. A 100-amp panel serves it all without compromising comfort in any weather and operates well within safe load center limits. He'll talk strategies, technologies, and take all your questions.  

Learning objectives:

• Review modern cold climate heat pump equipment capabilities and requirements  
• Understand how an all-electric home could operate in compliance with a 100-amp panel  
• Understand how proper cold climate heat pump systems can help the grid, not hurt it. 

Ekotrope’s goal is to make residential sustainability easier and accessible for all parties involved. We have focused on two initiatives recently that centered the HERS Rater role in Embodied Carbon Reporting and Energy Code Compliance.  

We recently completed an embodied carbon study on 100 homes built in Massachusetts. This study centered the HERS Rating process and how the HERS Rater workflow could lead to an Embodied Carbon assessment. In this session, we will discuss lessons learned and how Embodied Carbon is being included in residential energy codes.  

We will also discuss other Ekotrope initiatives, including expanding our services to energy code compliance and the role HERS Raters play in that market.