The "unconference" for energy professionals!
RaterFest 2024 registration is now closed. Sign up for details below for notifications on 2025 RaterFest!
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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!
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.
RaterFest 2024 Sessions
Reasons to be hopeful
Steve Byers
Part book report, part industry insights, Steve will be heavily referencing the book "Not the End of the World" in discussing both macro and industry issues of progress being made on myriad fronts in the fight to have a livable planet. There really is reason for hope and we can all benefit from a bit of that.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify big issues
- Assess progress on those issues
- Relate progress from the lens of our work in the built environment
- Explore some critical thinking perspectives on the news of the day
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.
Raising the Stakes: Is RESNET Ready For The Big Leagues?
Scott Doyle
In 2023, the RESNET Board of Directors adopted an ambitious and growth-oriented goal for the organization. The target: achieve an annual rate of one million ratings per year by 2028. RESNET staff developed a plan and a budget that we believe is actually achievable and can meet this (Big Hairy Audacious) goal. But this session is not intended to deep dive into the details of this plan. It’s about the conditions that make it possible to even set this goal. It’s about what it means for us to have a seat at the proverbial “big boy” table. Just how high are the stakes here and who is assuming the risk? What role can each of us play in ensuring our collective success?
Learning Outcomes:
- Learn what is different about the way external stakeholders are engaging with RESNET, and what this means for future opportunities for raters.
- Demonstrate how to talk with builders, code officials, utility representatives, and other stakeholders about the infrastructure of our industry and why they should trust the work of HERS® raters.
- Understand why large stakeholders like LBA and NAHB are interested in RESNET’s quality assurance program.
- Clarify the RESNET and ENERGY STAR complaint processes. List examples of the types of complaints that end up dismissed, and the types of complaints that escalate into full investigations.
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.
Lessons Learned from the Marshall Fire
Robby Schwarz
As the Marshall Fire New Homes Building Advisor, I have had a unique opportunity to look at the rebuilding of the 1,084 homes from a variety of perspectives. Building codes, fire resiliency, energy efficiency, electrification, community climate action, and cost-effectiveness are a few. This session will discuss the unique characteristics of the Marshall Fire and what we can learn from it to improve the performance of homes, builders, codes, climate, and more.
Learning Outcomes:
- What happened in the Marshall Fire?
- What is Fire resiliency?
- Electrification and community climate action
- Programmatic building vs. code compliant building
- The roll of incentives and codes?
Do you know what your Multifamily client actually cares about?
And the Sticks, Carrots, Kale & Carfax that motivate the development of High Performing Multifamily projects
Paul Yankie
Paul Yankie has led his team at Green Building Consulting to be a powerhouse and a leader in the multi-family sector of our industry. No one in the country is more attuned to the many facets of multi-family finance and the intersection of that and sustainability. He will share lessons learned, some "how-to's" and in general paint for us all the picture of greater success with multi-family projects.
Learning Objectives:
- Multi-family developers have different motivators and criteria for their projects. Learn what they are and what differentiates them from single-family developers.
- High-performance multi-family construction has a unique set of characteristics for meeting performance goals. Understand these traits.
- Multi-family construction financing has substantial implications for sustainability and performance. Learn how the nature of financing itself influences performance decisions.
RaterFest Speakers
Schedule for Sept. 20- 22, 2024
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.
2024 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