HERS I & II Rater Certifications
HERS I Rater Certification Training
HERS Certifications may only be granted by a California Energy Commission approved HERS Provider
HERS Raters are trained to verify the HERS (Home Energy Rating Services) measures as required by the Title 24 California Energy Standards
Some of the conservation features in the Title 24 California Energy Standards require a 3rd party inspector (in addition to the local building department inspector) to verify that the measure is properly installed.
HERS I Raters are trained to verify HERS measures such as:Duct Testing
Refrigerant Charge Measurement
Sampling
Registration of forms with HERS Provider
Ethics and Quality Assurance
Quality Insulation Installation
Air Conditioner Efficiency
New Cooling Technologies
Energy Star, Utility and Green Programs
Solar Verifications for Solar PV systems installed under the State of California’s New Solar Home Partnership
What HERS II?
The purpose of the proposed revisions to the HERS
regulations is to implement Phase II of
the HERS Program by extending Phase I to cover
whole‐house home energy ratings of existing
(and newly constructed) homes. Phase II will put in
place the remaining elements of PRC Section 25942
HERS II Provisions
• Consistent, accurate, and uniform ratings based on a single
statewide rating scale
• Reasonable estimates of potential utility bill savings, and
reliable recommendations on cost‐effective measures to
improve energy efficiency.
• Labeling procedures that will meet the needs of home buyers,
homeowners, renters, the real estate industry, and mortgage
lenders with an interest in home energy ratings.
• Proposed approaches for determining measure
cost‐effectiveness and recommendations for energy efficiency
improvements, including cross checking against utility bills.
The HERS Disclosure Booklet
A California Energy Commission publication
California Civil Code 2079.10 states that if this
booklet is provided to the buyer by the seller or
broker, then this booklet is deemed to be
adequate to inform the home buyer about the
existence of California’s Home Energy Rating
Program.
Status of HERS II?
•All California HERS Providers are awaiting approval
•Many opportunities await this important step
•Stay tuned
What is available today?
•The FHA/VA Energy Efficient Mortgage
•The FHA Weatherization Program
•Utility Company Rebates
•Energy Efficiency Federal tax credits
The Energy Efficient Mortgage
A Government Insured loan (FHA/VA) that allows “Cost Effective” Energy Upgrades to be financed into the Mortgage with no qualifying or down payment requirements
FHA will allow 5% of the property value in most cases (see HUD Mortgagee Letter 2009-18)
VA allows up to $6,000 in upgrades
Can be used on Purchase, Rehab & Refinance
A HERS Report is required to document the upgrades as cost effective
The FHA Weatherization
Program
Allows financing of “thermal improvement”
upgrades when the EEM funds are not enough
Items that would qualify: Dual Pane
Windows, insulation, weather stripping, etc.
Borrower must qualify for additional amount
Borrower must put additional down
What determines cost effectiveness?
The borrower decides on a cost effective package
Bids are gathered
Contractors should be educated about the EEM
Program
The EEM package is submitted to underwriting
EEM Funds are held in a holdback account after
close of escrow
Once escrow has closed, work can begin
When work is complete, funds are released
After the Rating Report results are generated:
EEM Case StudyBryon & Rachael Soules, 1st Time Homebuyers
Expressed interest in the Energy Efficient
Mortgage
• Home built in 1948
• No wall insulation
• R11 insulation in the attic
• Duct system was very leaky
• Single pane Windows
EEM Case Study
Purchase price of the home: $131,250
EEM allowable amount: 6,562
Total of all Contractor bids: 7,463
Weatherization Program: 900