Home Energy Analyst (HERS)
RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) Rater
Self-Paced Home Study - 60 hours/Books/DVD/Instructor-Supported
This course is specifically designed to train a person to conduct energy ratings on new homes or audits on existing homes and to help prepare for the RESNET written and field exams or the BPI written and field exams. If you are interested in working as an energy rater or auditor for helping weatherize homes, use our materials to get the training to help prepare you for working as an auditor/rater. Learn how a house is tested for leakiness. Learn about energy in the home and where to look for reducing energy bills. This program also includes a valuable residential basic training package (8 DVD's and a manual) to help you understand how the components in a house work and what they actually look like with over a thousand real life scenes from actual homes. Some additional field work/training is required before the RESNET certification can be obtained. Some additional field work/training is extremely helpful but not required before the BPI certification can be obtained.
The Residential Basic Training Includes
1. 8-Volume DVD Series
These DVDs address over a 1,000 home-related systems issues. They contain real life scenes from out on site from across the nation. In fact, they also show how things can go wrong in homes to help avoid approving a weatherization job that has gone awry. Circles and Arrows are used so you can see the precise item being discussed.
Topics include:
· Steam, Hot Water, and Oil Fired Systems
· Exteriors
· Structural
· Electrical
· Plumbing
· HVAC
· Basic Roofing
· Advanced Roofing
2. Building Evaluation Training Manual (over 500 pages - pdf)
The manual gives detailed explanations of what things are called and how things work in a home – over 400 illustrations.
The Residential Weatherization Training includes two textbooks
1. "Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings" by John T. Krigger and Chris Dorsi
Topics covered in this book relating to an auditor's work:
Principles of Energy
Energy and the Building Shell
Air Leakage
Insulation
Windows and Doors
Heating
Lighting and Appliances
Cooling
Water Heating
Health and Safety
2. "Energy Auditor Field Guide" by John T. Krigger and Chris Dorsi
Topics covered in this book relating to an auditor's work from the field standpoint:
Energy Audits and Customer Relations
Inspecting the Building Shell
Diagnosing Shell Air Leakage
Evaluating Heating and Cooling Systems
Baseload Measures
Windows, Doors, and Exterior Insulation
Health and Safety
Analyzing Mobile Homes
DVD
3. Duct Leakage Diagnostic
Thermal vs. Pressure Boundaries
Diagnostic Equipment
Blower Door
Smoke Generator
Digital Pressure Gauge
Pressure Pan
Duct Pressurization System
Diagnostic Procedures
Dominant Duct leakage
Door Closure effects
Exhaust fan effects
Blower Door test
CFM 50 Test
Zone Pressure tests
Using chemical smoke
Pressure Pan Test
Dust Air tightness test
Total Leakage
Outside Leakage
Fog Machine
Static Pressure and Temperature tests
Types of Houses
Basic Air Flow and Duct Leakage
4. Case Study I
Steps to evaluating and weatherizing this home
5. Case Study II
Steps to evaluating and weatherizing this home
6. Mobile Home Weatherization
Air Sealing
Water Heater
Furnace efficiency
Belly Insulation
Roof Insulation
7. Air Sealing Houses Part I
Testing and sealing Chronology
Attics
Chimneys and Flues
Attic Louvers/Whole house fans
Large Attic leaks
Small Attic Air Leaks
Cape Cod style example
Flat Roofs
Moisture from attic bypasses
Air intrusion – soffit vents
8. Air Sealing Houses Part II
Walls
Major air leaks from outside
Large leaks from wall cavity to inside
Small leaks
Straight through leaks
Garage and attached sheds
Basements
Large leaks
Small leaks
Interior leaks
Crawl Spaces
Windows
9. Thermal Bypass Book (pdf)
Examples of Thermal bypasses with both real life scenes as well as thermographic interpretation.
10. BPI Technical Standards for Certified Shell Specialists (pdf)
11. Health and Safety Packet (pdf)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program regulations/policy and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for asbestos, lead, mold, and other health hazards;
-Material Safety Data Sheets
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards:
- Ladder safety;
- Fall protection;
- Personal protective equipment;
- Respiratory protection;
- Motor vehicles;
- Power-operated hand tools;
- Fire prevention;
- Permit-required confined spaces;
- Other worker-related OSHA standards.
- Select, fit, and use the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment for a particular task;
- Safely use basic hand and power tools;
- Use a basic first aid kit to treat common job-site injuries; and
- Work Lead Safe
- Identify serious mold conditions
- Assess work area safety hazards
12. BPI "Quick Sheets" (pdf)
13. BPI Testing Requirements (pdf)
14. BPI Sample Tests (pdf)
15. BPI Guide to Performance Test – Envelope Professional (pdf)
16. RESNET Documents
RESNET Energy Star Homes Program Accreditation Procedures for Builder Option Package
Energy Star Qualified Homes National Performance Path Requirements
RESNET Home Energy Rating Standard Disclosure
RESNET Procedures for Verification of International Energy Conservation Code Performance Path Calculation Tools
RESNET Formal Interpretation 2006-002
RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards
17. Equipment Manuals
Blower Door
Duct Blaster
DG-700 Manual
Support
1. Exams that accompany the DVD's, manuals and books. Complete these exams as you go through the material.
2. E-mail instructor support
Instructor
Stanley C. Harbuck - Stan has been involved in residential and commercial construction and inspections for over 20 years. For 4 years he was licensed for Code Inspections. He also spent time as an evaluator researching housing-related issues. From time to time he is called upon to be an expert resource to the media. Stan has spent considerable time as a Building Maintenance Coordinator and Manager. He is also an Approved OSHA Trainer in the Construction arena.
Teaching Background
Stan Harbuck has a background as a Part-Time Faculty/Lecturer at Daytime Classes at the University Level. He has also presented many seminars and has been teaching inspectors since 1993. Stan has 2 undergraduate degrees.
Associations Background
Stan has been a member of and a leader in various associations and committees in the energy, inspection, construction and design arenas. He is a Certified Energy Manger through the Association of Energy Engineers. He has served as a member of several task force groups, workshops, or committees of several important national associations related to housing and inspections. Stan has also participated in several projects for the National Association of Home Builders and the National Fire Protection Association. These projects have involved evaluating quality control for new construction in-progress and quality control of some manufacturers who make construction supplies.