Cross-border energy efficiency challenge slated for 2015

Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and Canadian Residential Energy Services NETwork (CRESNET) have announced the 2015 RESNET Cross Border Home Builder Challenge. In its second year, the challenge is a friendly competition between American and Canadian home builders to push the energy efficiency bar in residential construction.

A total of seven builder awards are up for grabs: five based on having the lowest Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score for their specific category and two special president’s awards based on a fleet of HERS new home ratings.

“With well over 1 million homes rated in the U.S., the HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is now being measured in the US and Canada. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance” noted Steve Baden, executive director of RESNET.

“The Index is based on an assessment by a certified Home Energy Rater who evaluates the energy efficiency of a home and assigns it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home. The energy efficiency score is based on variables such as exterior walls (both above and below grade), floors over unconditioned spaces, ceilings and roofs, windows and doors, vents and ductwork, HVAC systems, water heating system, and your thermostat, among other elements,” added Baden.

“As in 2014, we are expecting some of the largest, and most respected, U.S. and Canadian builders to participate in the 2015 competition,” said John Godden, president CRESNET. 

The awards will be presented at the 2015 RESNET Conference in San Diego, CA.

Background

CRESNET was formed in March 2007 and signed an MOU with RESNET in July 2007. RESNET developed a full set of standards of practice and technical specifications for rating the energy performance of residential buildings and HERS – a zero based energy rating system where a U.S. code house rates at 100. CRESNET adapted the technical specifications of HERS to calibrate the 100 point to better suit Canadian codes and practices after it was given the exclusive right in Canada to use and adapt the standards of the U.S. organization. The Canadianized version is called the E-Scale.