LA CleanTech: Home Energy Rater Training

The Louisiana CleanTech Network will hold a series of training workshops around the state with the New Orleans course being offered on August 24 – 29. Courses in Baton Rouge, Alexandria, and Shreveport and other cities will be scheduled over the coming months. These courses will certify RESNET Home Energy Raters ( HERS Raters) throughout the state. The training and RATER certification is awarded by Residential Energy Services Network, known as RESNET.
 
WHEN: August 24 - 29, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

WHERE: Green Building Resource Center, 841 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA

Those interested in the workshop can obtain more information and can register online at the Louisiana CleanTech website at www.lacleantech.net.

The cost of the six day training is $1700, to be paid in advance and online. The website gives easy, step by step instructions. The course also includes three days of field work that will follow each week of classroom training. Upon successfully completing the first week of class, passing the RESNET Rater test on Saturday and the completion of the three days of field work, attendees will have met all of the requirements to obtain certification under RESNET as well as under the state-operated HERO program.
 
The RESNET Rater training is supported by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which administers energy efficiency programs. The department’s HERO or Home Energy Rebate Option Program started in 2000, offering cash rebates of up to $2,000 for residents that improved their home to become more energy efficient.  Currently, DNR has been awarded ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funding to enhance and expand the state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.  With this additional federal funding, the HERO program will offer a higher cash rebate (up to $3,000) and will allow more citizens, businesses, and new home construction to be included in HERO.  Homeowners, homebuilders, and small business owners who choose to upgrade to higher energy efficiency standards as they build, retrofit or remodel may be eligible for the rebates. Verification of the expanded HERO program will require the services of a RESNET certified Home Energy Rater.
 
Clean Tech Network has just recently completed weeklong training sessions for potential energy raters in New Orleans and Baton Rouge with 32 students attending and 12 new RATERS completing the process.  
 
Wade Byrd, President of Performance Building Consulting and LA CleanTech’s Certified HERS Trainer, said it is recommended that prospective Home Energy Raters have some experience in construction or building science. “There are two levels of certification,” Wade said. “To achieve the highest level of Certified Home Energy Rater requires a detailed understanding of basic building science principles. A certification of Field Inspector allows interested individuals to work under certified Raters in order to gain experience,” he explained.
 
To become a RESNET certified Home Energy Raters, individuals are required to complete a six-day class conducted by a certified RESNET trainer, pass a national examination and conduct five supervised ratings. A rater will learn to conduct a series of physical tests on a building or home and then create a computer model to evaluate potential energy efficiency improvements and estimated savings for customers.
 
The Louisiana Clean Tech Network is a Louisiana non-profit industry organization, headquartered in New Orleans, promoting the development of clean technology industries within the state.
 
RESNET is a national industry consensus standard organization currently active in all 50 states. Information on RESNET can be found at www.resnet.us.
 
For more information, please contact Heidi Jensen at our Green Building Resource Center: hjensen@globalgreen.org