FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What’s a home energy rating?
2. What’s a home energy rater?
3. How do you become an energy rater?
4. How can I find an energy rater?
5. How do I get an energy rating on an existing home?
6. What’s RESNET?
7. What tax credit can I get for improving the energy efficiency of my existing home?
8. How does a builder receive the $2000 tax credit for new construction?
9. What is an Energy Mortgage (EM)?
10. How can I get an Energy Improvement Mortgage or Energy Efficient Mortgage?
11. What is the ENERGY STAR program for homes?
12. How do I get my house verified as ENERGY STAR?
13. Can an existing home be ENERGY STAR?

If your question is still not answered please email us at mjansen@eehmidwest.com

ANSWERS

1. What’s a home energy rating?

Click here to learn more: Energy Ratings
(back to top)


2. What’s a home energy rater?

Click here to jump to our home energy rater page: Energy Rater
(back to top)


3. How do you become an energy rater?

A certified home energy rater must successfully complete training by a RESNET Accredited Rater Training Provider (Learn about EEHM's Rater Training) and must be certified by a RESNET Accredited Rating Provider. Once certified, a rater must work through a RESNET Accredited Rating Provider. 

Each candidate rater must perform two ratings, including software operations, in the presence of trainers.

Certified Raters must also pass examinations that demonstrate a practical, working ability to effectively use the knowledge and skills set contained in Section 5.3 of Chapter Two of the National Home Energy Rating standard to produce accurate and fair home energy ratings. This examination may either follow training or it may be taken as a challenge examination.

After successfully completing the rater training, the rater has one year to be certified by a RESNET accredited rating provider.

Energy Efficient Homes Midwest does not have any classes scheduled at this time.  Send us an email at mjansen@eehmidwest.com if you are interested and we will contact you when our next training class is scheduled.

To learn more click here: http://www.natresnet.org/certified/default.htm
(back to top)


4. How can I find an energy rater? 

Click here to see our Rater Directory to find a rater near you: Rater Directory
(back to top)


5. How do I get an energy rating on an existing home?

Any certified rater can perform an energy rating on an existing home.  To find a rater in your area click here: Rater Directory
(back to top)


6. What’s RESNET?

In April 1995, the National Association of State Energy Officials and Energy Rated Homes of America founded the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to develop a national market for home energy rating systems and energy efficient mortgages. RESNET's activities are guided by a mortgage industry steering committee composed of the leading national mortgage executives. To learn more click here: http://www.natresnet.org/default.htm.
(back to top)


7. What tax credit can I get for improving the energy efficiency of my existing home?

Under the Energy Bill of 2005, you can receive a tax credit   for retrofitting your home.  For more information, visit
http://www.natresnet.org/taxcredits/default.htm
(back to top)


8. How does a builder receive the $2000 tax credit for new construction?

New federal tax credits are available for residential energy efficiency under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Under the provision for energy efficient homes, an eligible contractor who constructs a qualified new energy efficient home may qualify for a credit of   $2,000. The credit is available for all new homes.

To be eligible for the federal tax credit for new homes, every home shall be independently field tested to verify the energy performance of the home. To comply with the law, field verification of the qualifying home’s energy performance shall be conducted in accordance with the “Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards.”  To learn more, click here: http://www.natresnet.org/taxcredits/default.htm
(back to top)


9. What is an Energy Mortgage (EM)?

An Energy Mortgage (EM) is a type of mortgage that credits the homeowner for a certain standard of energy efficiency when purchasing a loan.  Because it assumes lower monthly expenditures in utilities and thus a relatively higher income, an EM often affords the homeowner a higher quality home.

There are two types of EMs: Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) and Energy Improvement Mortgage (EIM).  An EEM is used to credit energy efficiency in a new home, and an EIM can be applied toward energy improvement retrofitting on an existing home. 

For more information, visit this site:  http://www.natresnet.org/ratings/default.htm.
(back to top)


10.  How can I get an Energy Improvement Mortgage or an Energy Efficient Mortgage?

Visit http://www.natresnet.org/ratings/default.htm.
(back to top)


11. What is the ENERGY STAR program for homes?

ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 15%-20% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code. These savings are based on heating, cooling, hot water and lights and appliances energy use and are typically achieved through a combination of the following:
• building envelope upgrades,
• high performance windows,
• controlled air infiltration,
• upgraded heating and air conditioning systems,
• tight duct systems and
• upgraded water-heating equipment
• Energy Star lights and appliances     

Click here to learn more: http://energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_earn_star
(back to top)


12. How do I get my house verified as ENERGY STAR?

The ENERGY STAR label is earned only after the home's energy efficiency is verified, either by an independent third-party such as an accredited home energy rater or Builder Option Package Verifier, or by adhering to the quality control procedures established for HUD-code manufactured homes.
(back to top)


13. Can an existing home be ENERGY STAR?

Yes, click here to learn more.
(back to top)

If your question is still not answered please email us at mjansen@eehmidwest.com