Standards, especially RESNET’s American National Standards (ANS), follow a format that provides massive amounts of critical information in cryptic/codified language. That keeps those documents smaller but can result in vague and hard-to-understand requirements. Typically, organizations that develop documents in “standards language” have processes that provide formal interpretations to help clarify requirements and sometimes develop supporting “guidance” publications. RESNET develops interpretations and it is important for Raters and Providers to know where to find them so they can check for new ones periodically. Interpretations will be incorporated into the next editions of standards but until new editions are published formal interpretations present the position of RESNET on how the standards currently in effect are to be implemented for the RESNET HERS. RESNET develops two types of standards, its proprietary Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating System standards (MINHERS® standards) and American National Standards (ANSI standards). The MINHERS® standards govern the RESNET HERS® and include Training, Certification, and Quality Assurance requirements in addition to the “Technical” requirements for determining HERS® Ratings. The “Technical” requirements include inspection, testing, and rating calculations criteria that are essential to determining the HERS® Rating Index. The “Technical” standards for the HERS® are typically established by the RESNET ANS, which are adopted by the MINHERS® as reference standards. The MINHERS® also modifies those reference standards via Exceptions codified in its Section 303.1 to make them specific to the HERS. Interpretations for the RESNET American National Standards, ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301, ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380, ANSI/RESNET/ACCA/ICC 310, and ANSI/RESNET/ICC 850, are located on RESNET’s website for each ANS at https://www.resnet.us/about/standards/resnet-ansi/. Interpretations for the RESNET MINHERS® standards are located on RESNET’s website at https://www.resnet.us/about/standards/minhers/interpretations-of-the-mortgage-industry-national-home-energy-rating-standards/. Check the website periodically for interpretations and for new addenda to RESNET standards.
