Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater: A Two-Part Training

About The Training:

Completing this two-part course is the necessary step toward becoming a Certified Home Energy Rater authorized to administer the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). As a Certified Home Energy Rater, you will be able to produce energy rating reports that will help homebuyers and homeowners qualify for financing incentives through a variety of private and government loan programs.  Raters provide the documentation for home builders to receive credit for beyond-code construction, and with more modern energy codes, raters can help builders demonstrate compliance via the Energy Rating Index (ERI) pathway.

By applying a building science-based knowledge with industry approved energy modeling software and enhanced diagnostic tools, Certified HERS Rater is one of the highest residential energy credentials an individual can earn. Home Energy Ratings can be performed on both new and existing homes and are utilized by numerous energy and green building certification programs including ENERGY STAR, EarthCraft House, LEED for Homes and National Green Building Standard, as well as many utility rebate programs and energy code compliance efforts.

This training complies with RESNET’s Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System Accreditation Standard, which has been adopted by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of State Energy Officials.  For more information about the Home Energy Rating industry, visit www.resnet.us.

Class Structure – Dates and Times

HERS Part 1 (Core Training) class hours are as follows:

  • Day 1 – Monday, 8:00am to 6:00pm (doors open at 7:30am)
  • Day 2 – Tuesday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
  • Day 3 – Wednesday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
  • Day 4 – Thursday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
  • Day 5 – Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm (includes Combustion exams + Blower door and Duct Testing Oral exams)

INTERIM Period of approximately two weeks between sessions

  • Students to practice using online energy rating simulator

HERS Part 2 (Evaluation) class hours are as follows:

  • Day 6 – Monday, 8:00am to 6:00pm (morning review, afternoon field rating of actual home)
  • Day 7 – Tuesday, 8:00am to 6:00pm (morning review + RESNET exam, afternoon online simulation evaluations)

For a detailed agenda, please contact courses@southface.org.

Training Includes

  • A copy of Residential Energy by John Krigger and Chris Dorsi
  • The Southface HERS Rater Manual – with copies of all slides used during the training
  • One practice and one actual rating of a real home – included as part of the training with software feedback
  • Two official simulated ratings as part of the RESNET evaluation process
  • Combustion safety training including hands-on components and two required exams (one via simulation, other is Scope of Work 25 question exam)
  • Forty hours of classroom training in a green training facility with natural daylighting
  • Hands-on training for blower door and duct leakage testing with equipment – plus oral exam on proper usage
  • Practice take-home and in-class problems to demonstrate concept clarity and test preparation
  • Electronic course content with additional support materials, including example Southface Energy Rated Homes (SERH) Field Takeoff Form
  • Access to accredited HERS Rating software
  • Resources on the latest energy finance and incentive programs that involve HERS raters in their process
  • Healthy lunches and afternoon snacks
  • Certificate of course completion
  • Southface post-course follow-up and technical assistance

There are multiple examinations that must be completed as part of the course.  These include four mandatory RESNET online exams, software practice files, actual rating of existing home (including field take-offs + software entry), oral exam to demonstrate competency with equipment setup, operation and calculations for blower door and duct leakage testing and combustion safety diagnostic equipment usage.

The Southface HERS training includes the following RESNET charges for the three required exams ($525; Note: Southface does not mark up this fee).  Proctoring fees for the initial test attempts are included in the normal class fee.

  • RESCaz Simulation Examination ($200)
  • RESNET Rater Simulation Practical Examination ($200)
  • Rater Standard Examination ($125)

Registration Information

  • Entire 7-day Training Course Price: $2,320 + $525 RESNET test fees
    ($100 discount will be applied for Southface Members)
  • Note:  Pricing may vary. Refer to the Calendar listing for specific dates, times, locations, pricing and membership discounts or contact courses@southface.org.
  • New HERS Rater students and HERS Rating Field Inspector (RFI) students – This course is focused on HERS Rater training, but HERS Rating Field Inspectors (RFI’s) can be accommodated in this HERS Training. For RFI’s, the content and evaluations are similar but the software portion is not required. Please contact courses@southface.org for additional information.
  • This course is held at the Southface state of the art Southeast Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Training (SWEET) Center. This training and testing facility features multiple operational combustion appliances, a life-size “House of Pressure” demonstration mock-up, two testing and training cabins, plus all required hands-on test equipment and computer simulation tools.

Prerequisites

No previous training or skills are required to attend the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) training; however, a background in residential design, construction, inspection, HVAC or insulation/weatherization is useful. In addition,

  • Students are expected to become familiar with basic construction terminology and with blower door and duct leakage testing equipment operation and combustion analysis tools (taught as part of class).
  • Students are expected to complete pre-course modules on building science and basic math and geometry skills before attending this class.  Links will be provided upon registration.
  • For the written/electronic exams and rating software, students will need a laptop computer with a Microsoft Windows® operating system and Internet access capability.  If needed, Southface can provide a laptop during the class at no additional cost.
  • Passing the HERS Training class entails successfully completing the four RESNET exams, successfully submitting a software file of an actual rated home, passing the oral/field exam on use of the blower door and duct testing equipment and demonstrating capability with combustion safety tools.

Number of Attendees:

Class size is limited to 12 participants.