To get a better understanding of the effects that the COVID-19 and ensuing economic downturn is having on the HERS® industry, RESNET conducted a survey of HERS® Raters and Rating Providers. 114 Raters and Rating Providers responded to the survey. RESNET appreciates all those who took the time and respond to the survey. The results have been shared with the RESNET Board of Directors and will be used to guide, as to how the Rating industry is managing through the current disruption. The key finding of the survey are: • 38.6% of respondents reported that over the last two months their companies experienced no reduction in the number of homes HERS® rated. Of those that experienced a shortfall, 53% experienced a reduction of over 10%. • Looking into the next quarter, 42.1% of respondents projected that they would not see a change in the demand for their HERS® Rating services. Twenty-one percent projected in an increase in demand while 36.8% projected a decrease in demand. • 76.3% of respondents reported that their builders had not requested a reduction of rating fees. • Only 24.5% of respondents reported that they had contacted their local building departments about conducting the energy code inspections or testing. • 52.2% of respondents reported that they had applied for an SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan. Other interesting findings of the survey are: • 57% of respondents reported that they were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with RESNET’s response to the COVID pandemic. 6.1% responded that they were not satisfied with RESNET’s response. • RESNET has done a good job of informing the industry on the options of remote inspections and using default values instead of testing. 98.2% of respondents reported they were aware of the remote inspection option and 97.4% were aware of the option of using defaults. •18.4% of respondents indicated that they planned to use the remote inspection option. •16.7% of respondents indicated that they planned to use the default option to testing. To download the survey results click on https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-JJ3G3SZX7/
