The Residential Energy Services Network, or RESNET, recently sent out an email notification regarding the technology that powers two of its HERS Rater Certification exams – the CAZ Simulation and the Practical Simulation. Due to unexpected Internet browser updates, these two exams will have limited availability through May 15, 2017.

If you’re new to RESNET and looking to understand how to get certified, please visit our Getting Started With RESNET series.

If you’ve participated in RESNET HERS Rater Training and have completed all requirements except for the CAZ Simulation Exam and/or the Practical Simulation Exam, keep reading…

How to Access the RESNET Simulation Exams

The RESNET simulation exams operate through a plugin called Unity. This plugin enables video game software to work as designed, with interactivity and realistic scenarios. Unfortunately, many of the Internet browsers are moving beyond Unity and adopting other simulation platforms like WebGL.

For the last few months, RESNET had been recommending that candidates use Mozilla Firefox to access these exams. Firefox was the last Internet browser to support the Unity plugin.

Going Forward

On Mar. 7, 2017, Firefox unexpectedly made changes to its browser that resulted in mass disruptions on software programs using the browser.

RESNET has been working with Interplay, the developer of the interactive exams, to find a short-term workaround and a long-term solution to this issue.

RESNET and Interplay plan to move the simulation exams to the WebGL platform by May 15 for future use.

In the meantime, candidates are encouraged to contact Interplay directly if they are needing to complete these exams before a deadline. RESNET may offer a grace period to existing Raters because of this technology glitch.