jana maddux cheers

HERS I & II Rater Certifications

HERS I Rater Certification Training

HERS Certifications may only be granted by a California Energy Commission approved HERS Provider

HERS Raters are trained to verify the HERS (Home Energy Rating Services) measures as required by the Title 24 California Energy Standards

Some of the conservation features in the Title 24 California Energy Standards require a 3rd party inspector (in addition to the local building department inspector) to verify that the measure is properly installed.

HERS I Raters are trained to verify HERS measures such as:Duct Testing

Refrigerant Charge Measurement

Sampling

Registration of forms with HERS Provider

Ethics and Quality Assurance

Quality Insulation Installation

Air Conditioner Efficiency

New Cooling Technologies

Energy Star, Utility and Green Programs

Solar Verifications for Solar PV systems installed under the State of California’s New Solar Home Partnership

What HERS II?

The purpose of the proposed revisions to the HERS

regulations is to implement Phase II of

the HERS Program by extending Phase I to cover

whole‐house home energy ratings of existing

(and newly constructed) homes. Phase II will put in

place the remaining elements of PRC Section 25942

HERS II Provisions

• Consistent, accurate, and uniform ratings based on a single

statewide rating scale

• Reasonable estimates of potential utility bill savings, and

reliable recommendations on cost‐effective measures to

improve energy efficiency.

• Labeling procedures that will meet the needs of home buyers,

homeowners, renters, the real estate industry, and mortgage

lenders with an interest in home energy ratings.

• Proposed approaches for determining measure

cost‐effectiveness and recommendations for energy efficiency

improvements, including cross checking against utility bills.

The HERS Disclosure Booklet

A California Energy Commission publication

California Civil Code 2079.10 states that if this

booklet is provided to the buyer by the seller or

broker, then this booklet is deemed to be

adequate to inform the home buyer about the

existence of California’s Home Energy Rating

Program.

Status of HERS II?

•All California HERS Providers are awaiting approval

•Many opportunities await this important step

•Stay tuned

What is available today?

•The FHA/VA Energy Efficient Mortgage

•The FHA Weatherization Program

•Utility Company Rebates

•Energy Efficiency Federal tax credits

The Energy Efficient Mortgage

A Government Insured loan (FHA/VA) that allows “Cost Effective” Energy Upgrades to be financed into the Mortgage with no qualifying or down payment requirements

FHA will allow 5% of the property value in most cases (see HUD Mortgagee Letter 2009-18)

VA allows up to $6,000 in upgrades

Can be used on Purchase, Rehab & Refinance

A HERS Report is required to document the upgrades as cost effective

The FHA Weatherization

Program

Allows financing of “thermal improvement”

upgrades when the EEM funds are not enough

Items that would qualify: Dual Pane

Windows, insulation, weather stripping, etc.

Borrower must qualify for additional amount

Borrower must put additional down

What determines cost effectiveness?

The borrower decides on a cost effective package

Bids are gathered

Contractors should be educated about the EEM

Program

The EEM package is submitted to underwriting

EEM Funds are held in a holdback account after

close of escrow

Once escrow has closed, work can begin

When work is complete, funds are released

After the Rating Report results are generated:

EEM Case StudyBryon & Rachael Soules, 1st Time Homebuyers

Expressed interest in the Energy Efficient

Mortgage

• Home built in 1948

• No wall insulation

• R11 insulation in the attic

• Duct system was very leaky

• Single pane Windows

EEM Case Study

Purchase price of the home: $131,250

EEM allowable amount: 6,562

Total of all Contractor bids: 7,463

Weatherization Program: 900

Jana MadduxCHEERS® Existing Homes Program Manager

(714) 500-4444

jmaddux@cheers.org

www.cheers.org