RaterFest

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RaterFest! Logo

The "unconference" for energy professionals!


Sept. 24-26, 2021



Click the "Stay in the Loop" button below for updates!

RaterFest 2023 registration is now closed. Sign up for details below for notifications on 2024 RaterFest! 

Thanks so much to everyone who made RaterFest 2023 possible! We can't wait to see you all next time! Sign up for details below to get notified when RaterFest 2024 launches. 

Mark your calendars for September 20-22 for our 14th RaterFest!

Sign up for our 13th RaterFest from September 22-24

We're so excited to see your face this year!


It was a tough decision to cancel RaterFest 2020. As we anticipate gathering again in 2021, we can hardly contain our excitement.  RaterFest is an amazing chance to meet new friends, grow as energy professionals, and soak in Colorado's gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery. Over the past 10+ years, we've worked hard to create the best training and networking experience for energy professionals.
Grow as energy professionals, create new relationships, and soak in Colorado's gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery at RaterFest! Over the past 10+ years, we've worked hard to create a deeply engaging, single-track training experience for energy professionals.

Registration is open and it's all inclusive! From lodging to dining, sessions to activities, all you need to do is get here and we'll take care of the rest. RaterFest is an amazing chance to meet new friends, grow as energy professionals, and soak in Colorado's gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery. Over the past 10+ years, we've worked hard to create the best training and networking experience for energy professionals.


Register Here!
Sign up for details!
Special thanks to our 2022 Gold Leaf Sponsor, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC!
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Interested in sponsoring RaterFest? Learn more here!

Learn more about the experience!


Key Info


Date

Sept 20-22

Location

Empire, CO

Price

$635 - $920

CEUs

RESNET, BPI, & ICC

Capacity

Limited to 100

Housing & Meals

Included in price!


Registration will open soon!

RaterFest Reviews

"Really enjoyed my first time at  RaterFest. Loved the intimacy of a smaller conference with a single track of sessions where we could all learn together, ask questions and network. The location was great and made for an awesome road trip from Oregon."
Laura Klement, Enerstructa

"RaterFest is fantastic! It is a well run weekend event that brings our industry leaders together in a laid back setting in the beautiful state of Colorado."
Matt Zaleski, Energy Diagnostics

"Since this was my first RaterFest, I didn't know what to expect. I was very excited to be a part of the experience this year and am impressed with the information and the sense of community that I experienced at the event.
Dustin Oedewaldt, Thrive Home Builders

"My Team and I had a blast, the venue, sessions, and fire pit shenanigans make this event a must for all building science professions, see you next year!"
Chris Schwarzkopf, EDI

Registration will open soon!

The Venue

Location

30 miles West of Denver sitting on 220 acres, Rocky Mountain Village (RMV) camp is located within the beautiful Colorado Rockies. The camp offers hiking trails, amazing views, a 27-hole disc golf course, and more.

Address

  • 2644 Alvarado Rd
  • Empire, CO 80438

Directions

From Denver:

  • Take I-70 west to exit 232 (Empire/Granby exit toward US 40 E)
  • Veer left at fork and follow the signs for "Easterseals Camp"
  • At the stop sign, continue straight onto Co Rd 257 by passing across US 40
  • Travel 0.5 miles along Co Rd 257 and take a left over the first overpass onto Co Rd 308
  • At the stop sign, cross over Alvarado Rd and enter the driveway with the overhanging "WELCOME" sign
  • The check in is located about 400 yards down the dirt road on the left with a small parking lot

    Lodging Options

    Rocky Mountain Village

    When you sign up to attend RaterFest, housing is included! Enjoy looking through the different housing options below. We are sure you will find one that is perfect for you and your team.

    Enjoy a private room in our Homebuilders Lodge featuring a plus queen bed and beautiful aspen-covered views. Take advantage of the 1,700 ft. boardwalk trail right outside the door. Inside the lodge, you'll find a lounge area with a gas fireplace you can cozy up to, wireless internet, and covered decks where you can enjoy one of our colorful Colorado sunrise or sunsets! If you are looking for serenity this will be your slice of heaven! Linens included (sheets, blanket, comforter, bath towel, pillow and pillowcase).

    $920.00

    Register for RaterFest!
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    RaterFest 2024 Sessions

    Eligible attendees can earn CEUs from:

    Earn RESNET CEUs at RaterFest

    18 CEUs

    RaterFest is a RESNET® regional conference. Attending will fulfill ALL of your CEU requirements as a HERS® Rater and/or QAD according to the RESNET Standards!

    Earn BPI CEUs at RaterFest

    7.5 CEUs

    Earn ICC CEUs at RaterFest

    0.7 CEUs

    KEYNOTE SPEAKER

    Certification as a Service

    Goal:
    Identify opportunities, issues, and recommendations for HERS community to enhance builder business outcomes from high-performance home certification working with a Certification as a Service (CaaS) aggregator.

    Purpose:
    Get input and feedback from HERS professionals on a new CaaS aggregator concept for offering significant additional services beyond HERS verification before, during, and after sale designed to enhance high-performance builder outcomes.


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    Sam Rashkin

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Shared understanding of a CaaS aggregator concept for high-performance home programs
    • List of services and that would enhance high-performance home builders’ business outcomes
    • List of issues/concerns HERS professionals might have collaborating with a CaaS aggregator to provide services that enhance high-performance home builder business outcomes

    Measuring Part 5, Refrigerant Charge, of the RESNET/ACCA/ANSI Standard 310

    Joe Medosch {med-osh}

    Joe Medosch will demonstrate how simple it is to measure Part 5, Refrigerant Charge, of the RESNET/ACCA/ANSI Standard 310 This can be completed by Anyone!

    Procedure: using your hand, confirm cold air inside and “beer can cold” refrigerant line outside = Done. Can it be done accurately and w/o being EPA Refrigerant charge certified = Yes. Can you also measure system SCFM, possible return duct leakage, refrigerant charge including superheat and subcooling and check for 100+ faults in the system w/o pressure gauges? measureQuick does!

    Over a dozen studies confirmed most AC systems have either airflow or refrigerant charge faults (or both). A 2018 DOE study found heating and air conditioning installations had at least one fault in 70–90% of homes, and when duct leakage is considered, this number increases to 90–100%. Improper installation leads to increased energy use, comfort issues, warranty claims, callbacks, and higher H/AC repair costs over the lifetime of the equipment.

    Fixing these two faults alone has the potential to decrease residential cooling energy loads by 5–10%. Researchers at NREL estimate that central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps in the US waste 20.7 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy per year due to equipment faults. Convert that to energy generated by hydroelectric - it’s 5.7 times the volume of Lake Mead at its highest level. Which is 8.5 trillion gallons of water.

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Identifying the requirements for part 5 of the RESNET/ACCA/ANSI Standard 310
    • Calculate refrigerant pressure from temperatures
    • Understanding how this option confirms compliance and reduces failures for your builders
    • Learn how to add this to the other sections of Standard 310 and complete the entire compliance pathway
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    The Future of Housing - Panel with Industry Icons & Experts

    Panel members: Colby Swanson, Asa Foss, Nick Hurst, & Sam Rashkin
    Moderator: Steve Byers

    Our panel will explore the future of housing in the near and medium term. We will explore materials prospects, system prospects and fundamental industry paradigm shifts. Sacred cows and dogmatists are not allowed! Vigorous debate is encouraged!  

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    Learning Outcomes:

    • Know what major shifts may happen or be possible in the next 5-10 years
    • Understand constraints to systems and materials no matter how promising
    • Understand status quo obstacles to adoption of anything new
    • Know what materials may be ready for the spotlight in the next 3 years
    WaterSense Labeled Homes Verification

    Olga Cano & Jonah Schein

    Deep dive into the verification process and opportunities for efficiency during site visits. The EPA’s WaterSense Labeled Homes program has designed its new specification to better align with other green certification programs, including the existing options for verifier training. This means a better verification experience for building and rating professionals. This session will walk through the minimal checklist items required for any home to achieve certification regardless of which rating system it is being certified through. Flexibilities and regional strategies will also be discussed giving the rating industry insight into the importance of water efficiency for continued urban growth.

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Insight into alignment with other certification programs
    • Understanding of training & QA process
    • Understanding on technical requirements to achieve certification
    • Insight into regional strategies & importance of water efficiency in urban growth

       
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    Heat Pump Water Heaters

    Bruce Manclark

    This class will focus on the sizing, selection and installation of Heat Pump water heaters. Data from recent research will be presented that indicates how best to maximize savings  and reduce customer complaints.

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    Learning Outcomes:

    • How best to size the HPWH for specific applications
    • What are the differences between the various brands of HPWHs
    • How best to mitigate  noise from HPWHs
    • What does research indicate about the space heat interaction between  HPWHS and the home's heating system
    The Wide, Wide World of Opportunities Beyond Ratings

    Steve Byers & Nathan Kahre

    Ratings can and maybe should be the foundation of your business, but there are so many more opportunities to succeed beyond that foundation. We will explore what everyone is doing from around the country to extend their companies, drive growth and better meet customer needs.

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Discuss the impact on your company both pro and con from expanding service
    • Discover opportunities
    • Explore what is needed to tackle new areas
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    The Vision Board - What’s Now and What’s Next for Ekotrope and the industry?

    Cy Kilbourn

    This session will provide a sneak peak of Ekotrope’s innovation roadmap and strategy. We will share the needs and challenges we have heard from various industry stakeholders, the innovation initiatives that are currently underway, and some possible long-term opportunities worth exploring. Cy will share Ekotrope’s perspective, but will encourage a dialog about the types of innovations the industry needs for the short term and the long term. 

    Learning Outcomes:

    •  Learn about future HERS Rating software developments. 
    • Learn and share ideas about industry needs and challenges. 
    • Understand our approach to continuous product innovation. 
    The HVAC Science Behind the Standard 310

    Joe Medosch

    The Standard 310 finally provides a new level of evaluating the performance of Heating and Cooling systems. But how can four measurements, none being the refrigerant pressure, determine that a system is Grade 1? Welcome to H/AC Science - the final frontier!  

     
    Throughout this session, we will focus on the measurements of proper refrigerant, and indirect airflow and how they are directly correlated. We will unpack the non-invasive test method which is a powerful method to confirm that the system is operating correctly based on the existing indoor and outdoor conditions (Yes, we’ll cover the limitations).  
     

    Std 310 Sect 5. "Refrigerant Charge" has its own complexities but knowing key data points such as SEER and outdoor temperature will easily allow you to complete this section. We will break down how and when to collect these data points and the applied math and science needed to interoperate this data and complete the section. 

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Explain the DTD (Design Temperature Difference), and what drives the calculation  
    • Understand the CTOA (Condensing Temperature Over Ambient), and what impacts the calculation  
    • Explore limitations on the indoor and outdoor temperatures 
    • Know where to place the probes for optimum measurements  
    • Understand why these measurements are taken 
            Thermal Mass and PCM (Phase Change Materials)

            Lisa Morey

            In this session, Lisa will walk through how to understand the application of thermal mass in the form of unrefined earthen masonry block and phase change materials in the building envelope. We will dive into building techniques and explore ways to build safer and healthier buildings with these phase change materials.  

            Learning Outcomes:

            • Understand techniques on building double wall with an insulation cavity in the Front Range of Colorado  
            • Explore energy savings analysis of an Energy+ model to determine how a single-family residence performs vs. a commercial building  
            • Understand the opportunity to shift the peak load and how this affects total energy use. 
                An Interactive Discussion on Quality and Culture

                Scott Doyle

                During this session, Scott Doyle will explore how culture impacts the residential energy world. We will focus on the culture of quality and value when it comes to programs and verification services offered by rating companies. Additionally, we will discuss what happens when culture fails to align with quality work.
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                Learning Outcomes:

                • Define culture in the context of the residential energy world
                • Articulate the importance of culture and the role it plays in the quality of RESNET HERS® Ratings, and other code/program verification services offered by rating companies
                • List behaviors and attitudes found in a culture that promotes and values quality
                • Describe outcomes and consequences of a culture that does NOT promote or value quality

                Schedule for Sept. 22- 24, 2023

                Check out our schedule for a weekend of deep learning and fun!
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                RaterFest Speakers

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                Sam Rashkin - Keynote

                Founder of Retooling the U.S. Housing Industry

                As founder for “Retooling the U.S. Housing Industry”, Sam is a published author, trainer, and consultant who has been preparing our nation’s home builders for major disruptions looming ahead. In his prior role as Chief Architect for the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office, Sam’s led deployment of proven housing innovations including directing the Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program.

                This work built upon his experience leading ENERGY STAR® for Homes from its inception in 1996 to more than 8,000 builder partners, over one million labeled homes. During his 20-plus years as a licensed architect, he specialized in energy efficient design and completed over 100 residential projects. He has served on the national Steering Committees for USGBC’s LEED for Homes, NAHB’s Green Builder Guidelines, and U.S. EPA’s Water Sense and Indoor airPLUS™ labels. Mr. Rashkin has been recognized for his contributions to sustainable housing in 2019 with the EEBA Legend Award and in 2012 with the Hanley Award. Find Sam on LinkedIn.


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                FAQs

                Your Questions Answered
                RaterFest is a truly unique experience - it's ok to have questions! Don't see the answer you're looking for here? Contact Sunny!

                What clothing should I bring to the conference?

                Casual and comfortable attire! Being in the mountains we have unpredictable weather, so pack layers! Bring a jacket, hat, mittens and a scarf if you prefer. Anything that keeps you warm on those colder days and nights.

                What about shoes?

                Comfortable walking shoes, hiking boots if you plan on hitting the trails, slippers for hanging out in your lodge or cabin. There are community showers in the cabins and lodges. Bring your shower shoes if this is something you prefer.

                I am flying into Denver International Airport, how do I get to the venue?

                Your best option (if you don't intend on renting a car) will be a ride-share service like Lyft or Uber from the airport to the venue. We will also set up a carpooling form so you can split the ride-share cost with a fellow attendee. Don't forget your RETURN ride back to the airport. It will be important for you to set up your return ride-share prior to your Sunday departure. The location is a bit remote and can be hard to find a ride-share if you wait last minute.

                Will you have a first aid kit?

                Yes! We will have Band-Aids, Neosporin, allergy medicine, ibuprofen, and bug spray. If you need something specific for your medical needs, please be sure to bring that with you.

                Where is the nearest hospital?

                Centura St. Anthony Summit Hospital (33.2 miles)
                Denver Health (40.8 miles)

                Is there WIFI at the venue?

                Yes, although it can be spotty. Feel free to bring your laptop and charging cord. You can also bring a notebook and paper!

                Will my cell phone work up in the mountains?

                This is another tricky question. You should have decent cell reception depending on your cell phone carrier, but there is no guarantee. The venue has landlines available if you need to place a call.

                Does the venue have proper lighting at night?

                Bringing a flashlight or headlamp is a great idea. The mountains tend to be very dark unless it's a clearer night and the moonlight can help pave your way.

                2024 Rocky Mountain Sponsors


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                Special thanks to Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Air Conditioning for being our Innovation sponsor!
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                Special thanks to
                Aeroseal
                for being our Session Space sponsor!

                RaterFest Photos

                Here are just a few of our favorite photos... It's hard to choose from so many happy moments!


                RaterFest is deeply committed to high-quality training AND fun. Every year, the weekend features RaterOlympics, ping pong tournament, yard games, hikes, great company, break-out sessions, and so much more! 

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                Offered Activities

                Schedule



                Rater Olympics
                Ping Pong Competition
                Rater Jam

                Schedule



                Rater Olympics
                Ping Pong Competition
                Rater Jam
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                Past Years

                Previous Sessions

                Zero Energy Ready Home HERS Rater Roundtable
                Presented by: Sam Bowles, Jamie Lyons, and Joe Nebbia

                Marketing Energy Conservation Through The Ages
                Presented by: Bruce Manclark

                Chemical Dependency - The price of addiction to chemicals in building materials
                Presented by: Joe Medosch

                The Oregon Trail: Making Energy Labels Normal
                Presented by: David Heslam

                The Winds of Change- An Update on RESNET Quality Assurance and Technical Standards
                Presented by: Scott Doyle

                What Should a Rating Really Include? 
                Presented by: Darrell Lehman & Mike Collignon

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