

The "unconference" for energy professionals!
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.
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Key Info
Date
TBD
Location
Empire, CO
Price
$600 - $875
CEUs
RESNET, BPI, & ICC
Capacity
Limited to 100
Housing & Meals
Included in price!
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
The Venue
Location
Address
Directions
From Denver:
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).
$875.00

RaterFest 2023 Sessions
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Certification as a Service
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.

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
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!

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
Joe Medosch Rants and Raves on Standard 310 and IAQ stuff you may not know!
Joe Medosch {med-osh}
Joe Medosch will kill an hour providing information on Standard 310, who should test stuff, and how, and what IS and IS NOT required. He will continue to fill the hour with IAQ details like What the Experts Aren't Telling you about IAQ Monitors. Then he will lead a thought exercise on how to survive the Wildfire Apocalypse of 2025. What can we do to prevent our homes being uninhabitable and what is the emergency plan when it suddenly occurs where you live. What can I do right now no matter what the cost - extreme reduction of particulates and odors. The remaining time, What, there will not be any remaining time!!
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn the requirements for Standard 310
- Identify what you know about IAQ
- How to survive the Wildfire Apocalypse of 2025
- Uncover how to reduce particulates and odors

ENERGY STAR® NextGen New Homes
Asa Foss

Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the key features of the new program requirements and why EPA has included them.
- Find out who is already using ENERGY STAR NextGen, including program sponsors.
- Learn how to verify compliance with this specification.
- Recognize how this label complements the current ENERGY STAR and DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes program.
Lower the Guardrails and Lean Into It
Nick Hurst
If you’ve been working in the home rating industry for at least a year or so, you may have recently asked, “Why do these ‘industry standards’ and ‘national certification programs’ always seem to be changing?” Or, “Are you serious—they’re releasing yet another update?” Or maybe you’re wondering, “Why can’t they just settle on something simple and stick with it?”.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how home certification programs create healthier homes without undue complexity.
- Identify the right balance between rigor and affordability.
- Uncover how the rating industry helps shape future certification requirements that accelerate the market adoption of high-performance homes.

Doing.more.with.less
Colby Swanson

Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate how to read tea leaves: market signals.
- Discuss the wind direction and why it is important.
- Summarize how alternative building methods can help build faster and cheaper.
- Identify ways to prepare for future changes in the construction industry.
“Where Do I Go From Here?" Career Paths in the Home Energy Rating Industry
Scott Doyle
Learning Outcomes:
- Describe the differences between certifications, designations, and other industry credentials
- Understand how employers prioritize professional credentials among other traits like skill, aptitude, work ethic, seniority, etc.
- List certifications, designations, and other credentials that are relevant to the HERS Rating Industry
- Develop personalized list of credentials to target based on each HERS® Pro’s own individual career goals

Schedule for Sept. 22- 24, 2023

RaterFest 2023 Speakers

FAQs
Your Questions Answered
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.
2023 Rocky Mountain Sponsors
RaterFest Photos

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
