One of the largest problems in the consistency of HERS® Index scores is user input. A key to addressing this is to enhance the training of the professionals who do the HERS® modeling in software programs and create a new certification for HERS® rating modelers. To address this issue, the RESNET Board of Directors at its 2019 Spring Meeting voted to establish a working group to investigate creating a new HERS® Rater modeling designation. The following were appointed to serve on the working group: • Matt Gingrich, Energy Diagnostics – Chairman • Philip Fairey, Florida Solar Energy Center • Emelie Glitch, PSD • Clayton Morris, DPIS Engineering • Nick Sisler, Ekotrope After months of deliberations, the working group developed the following recommendations to the RESNET Board: • The goal of the new designation is to increase the consistency in the input in HERS® Ratings through training and certification of persons who conduct the modeling and analysis using accredited HERS® Software Tools. The certification will be like the current Rating Field Inspector certification for field inspection and testing. • The name of the designation would be “RESNET HERS® Modeler” • This will be a formal certification and not a simple certificate of completion of training. Upon certification, HERS® Modeler candidates would be issued a unique RESNET Modeler ID. This certification can be used for single or multiple HERS® Software Tools. • Certified RESNET HERS® Raters, having taken inputs and plan reviews as part of RESNET HERS® Rater Training, will automatically receive the new certification without any additional fees. HERS® Raters would have to meet the continuing education requirements. • Formal training will be required. The training will be conducted by accredited Rater Training Providers based on a core curriculum developed by RESNET staff. The training will include a module specific to the software program for which the student is seeking certification. The student must complete full training once and the software-specific module for each software program they use. • Continuing education will be required to maintain the certification. The continuing education will be offered by the accredited HERS® Rating Software Program developers. The modeling analyst would have to take continuing education for each HERS® Software Tool for which they wish to maintain certification. • Persons certified would be posted on the RESNET Registry as is currently done for Rating Field Inspectors. • Accredited HERS® Software Tools would have to enable the entry of a certified HERS® Modeler’s name and ID info into the building simulation file. • The RESNET National Building Registry’s XML schema would be modified to identify the HERS® Modeler who conducted the modeling of the HERS® Rating, as is currently done for Rating Field Inspectors for the inspection and testing of the home. On February 11, 2020, the RESNET Board of Directors voted to accept the working group’s recommendations and directed RESNET staff to develop the draft standards to implement the HERS® Modeler Certification. RESNET staff will now develop the procedures, training curriculum and standards to implement the new certification. The proposed standard amendment would then be submitted to the RESNET Standard Development Committee 200 – Education, Assessment and Certification to go through the consensus-based RESNET standard amendment process.
