HERS Standards, Codes, and Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards, which document must a rater provide to a homeowner upon completion of a rating?
- A verbal summary only
- The HERS Index report (Correct answer)
- A list of recommended contractors
- A blank energy audit form
Correct answer: The HERS Index report
RESNET standards require raters to provide the homeowner with a completed HERS Index report showing the home's energy performance score.
Question 2: Which RESNET standard governs the accreditation of Home Energy Rating System (HERS) software tools?
- RESNET Chapter 2
- RESNET Chapter 3
- RESNET Publication 002-2006
- ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301
ANSI/RESNET/ICC Standard 301 establishes the methods and requirements for rating software accreditation used in HERS ratings.
Question 3: A builder asks a HERS rater to backdate a rating certificate. Which ethical principle does this violate?
- Competence
- Integrity and honesty (Correct answer)
- Confidentiality
- Professional development
Correct answer: Integrity and honesty
Falsifying dates on official rating documents violates the RESNET code of ethics principle of integrity and honesty.
Question 4: What does the IECC 'Energy Rating Index' (ERI) compliance path require regarding the ERI score of the proposed building?
- It must equal the code reference building's score
- It must be lower than the jurisdiction's ERI target score (Correct answer)
- It must exceed 100
- It must match the national average ERI
Correct answer: It must be lower than the jurisdiction's ERI target score
Under the ERI compliance path, the proposed building's ERI score must be equal to or lower than the jurisdiction-specific target ERI score set by the IECC.
Question 5: Under RESNET standards, which of the following is required before a trainee rater can file ratings independently?
- Passing a written exam only
- Completing a minimum of field mentored ratings and passing required exams (Correct answer)
- Obtaining a contractor's license
- Completing 40 hours of classroom training only
Correct answer: Completing a minimum of field mentored ratings and passing required exams
RESNET requires trainee raters to complete a specified number of field mentored ratings with a certified rater before achieving independent certification.
Question 6: According to RESNET Chapter 3, which party is responsible for maintaining rater QA records for a minimum of three years?
- The homeowner
- The builder
- The rater provider (Correct answer)
- RESNET national headquarters
Correct answer: The rater provider
Rater providers are responsible for maintaining all QA-related records, including rating files and QA reviews, for a minimum of three years.
Question 7: Which standard specifically addresses moisture management requirements that HERS raters must consider during an energy audit?
- ASHRAE 62.1
- ASHRAE 62.2 (Correct answer)
- IECC Section R301
- RESNET Chapter 2
Correct answer: ASHRAE 62.2
ASHRAE 62.2 covers ventilation and indoor air quality for low-rise residential buildings, including moisture control provisions relevant to HERS ratings.
HERS Standards, Codes, and Ethics 3
Under the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards, which document must a rater provide to a homeowner upon completion of a rating?