RESNET stands for Residential Energy Services Network, which is the non-profit organization that creates technical guidelines for home energy practitioners.

HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System, which is the process of diagnosing energy efficiency issues and comparing the energy use of two homes.

For more information, view our full article on What is the RESNET HERS Index?

A home energy audit involves performing diagnostic tests on the interior and exterior systems in the home and creating a prioritized list of improvements with a projected cost/benefit for each. The auditor may direct the customer to a qualified sub-contractor to implement the suggested improvements.

A home energy rating involves submitting the results of the diagnostic tests into energy modeling software to predict potential energy savings after improvements have been made and to receive an overall energy efficiency score for the home.

For more information, view our full article on What is a RESNET HERS Rater?

The two main factors driving this industry include:

• Code Compliance – Demand for HERS Raters has grown in states that have implemented new energy codes (2009, 2012, 2015 IECC). These codes require home builders to must meet air leakage and HERS Score requirements, so they hire a HERS Rater to do the work.
• Tax Credits & Rebates – The U.S. Department of Energy provides a $2,000 tax credit to home builders that participate in the ENERGY STAR v3 New Homes program. ENERGY STAR v3 homes must be inspected by a HERS Rater.

For more information, view our full article on What is a RESNET HERS Rater?

Most often, HERS Raters work with homebuilders and local governments.

• They help homebuilders make educated decisions on building materials and strategies to ensure that the home is built with energy efficiency in mind from the start. This ensures that the builder meets buyer demand for maximum comfort at a minimal cost.
• They help local governments verify code compliance on residential building permits. Newer building energy codes offer a compliance pathway called the Energy Rating Index, which was modeled after RESNET’s own Home Energy Rating System Index, so HERS Raters have a strong understanding of building strategies that meet code.

For more information, view our full article on What is the RENSET HERS Index?

Candidates are given 1 year to complete all requirements (training, passing all exams, completing 5 energy ratings, and signing up with a Rating Provider). If a candidate has not completed all requirements in one year, he/she must start over from the beginning.

Candidates should anticipate the following costs:

• Training: $2,099
• Quality Assurance & Certification: $500
• Equipment: $5,000-$10,000 depending on brand, if you buy new or used, etc.
• On-going Quality Assurance Reviews: $50/rating on 10% of your files
• Annual On-site Quality Assurance Review: Depends on if you choose a local Rating Provider. Otherwise, cost of travel and accommodations.

For more information, view our full article on the RESNET HERS Rater Certification Process.

RESNET Quality Assurance is the process by which a third party reviews the home energy ratings submitted by a HERS Rater to ensure compliance with the RESNET standards. This is just another, unbiased check that the energy auditing professional is performing quality work for his or her clients.

Yes. RESNET seems to flip-flop on using the terms "Rating Provider" and "Quality Assurance Provider." In either case, this organization reviews the energy models of home energy rater candidates and certified Raters. This process allows for quality assurance and compliance of the RESNET standards.

Yes. In order to complete your RESNET HERS Certification, you will need to sign on with a Quality Assurance Provider.

There are providers across the country - many of which specialize in their particular region.

Everblue has a relationship with RATERusa, which is an approved Quality Assurance Provider with nationwide reach. No matter where you live, we'll assist you with completing and maintaining your certification! Many students choose Everblue for HERS Rater training because of our partnership with Quality Assurance Providers like RATERusa - there's no need to research or look elsewhere because we've got all of the requirements and resources available to you here!

That's no problem. We understand if you know someone locally who works for a Quality Assurance Provider. This will not prevent you from taking an Everblue RESNET training course. When you are done with training, you can move forward with the Quality Assurance Provider of your choosing.

RESNET provides a National Registry of Accredited Rating Providers on its website.

The RESNET standards specify that a QA Provider must check 10% of a Rater’s energy modeling files and perform an on-site QA review of 1% of a Rater’s rated homes each year.

Quality Assurance Providers are also subject to QA per RESNET standards. Providers are responsible for reporting the results of all rating and on-site QA activity to RESNET on an annual basis, as well as maintaining an accurate database of rating project data. Providers are audited at random by RESNET to determine whether the Provider is fulfilling its obligations to meeting the RESNET standards for QA.

Yes, we include all three HERS Rater Certification exams in our training package registration fee.

Get started now with the RESNET HERS Rater training program!

Yes, we offer the RESNET HERS Rater training in a 100% online format, so it's accessible from anywhere with a secure Internet connection!

Get started now with the RESNET HERS Rater training program!

The training is broken down into short videos about various building science topics. You will be able to pause, rewind, and restart the training at your convenience. The online training is self-paced and available 24/7 for 6 months.

Get started now with the RESNET HERS Rater training program!

Yes, you will need to schedule an appointment at your local library or community college to be proctored for all three certification exams.

Candidates must pass three certification exams. All exams are computer-based and must be proctored in person at a local library or community college.

• Standard - open book, 55 multiple-choice questions, 72% to pass
• Combustion Safety - simulated combustion safety test, 85% to pass
• Practical - simulated energy audit on two houses, 80% on each house to pass

Candidates are required to pass all three certification exams. If you fail any exam, you will have to pay for and retake the failed exam.

The retake exam fees are as follows:

• Standard – $175
• Combustion Safety (simulation) – $300
• Practical (simulation) – $300

RESNET HERS Rater Certification is valid for three years.

Yes, certified HERS Raters are required to earn 18 hours of continuing education every 3 years.

The two most popular ways of earning this credit are to:

• Attend the workshops presented at the annual RESNET Conference or
• Complete the ENERGY STAR v3 Training program ($499 value)

Unfortunately, if you do not meet the requirements to maintain your HERS Certification, you will have to start the process over from scratch.

Don't let this happen! Sign up for ENERGY STAR v3 Training to keep your certification active.

Because most of our students are already employed or planning to start their own businesses, we do not offer job placement. However, many companies contact us to hire our course participants.

Due to privacy laws, we are unable to share our participant contact information. Please send your job posting to [email protected] and we will blast it out to those who have opted to receive those types of notifications.

The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) offers a professional directory on its website.

Alternatively, you can contact the candidate's RESNET Accredited Rating Provider to validate their status.

We do not sell energy auditing equipment. However, we have partnered with the leading equipment manufacturers to offer discounts on equipment to our students.

When you complete our HERS Rater training program, you'll receive an order form with the following equipment discounts:

• 14% discount from Retrotec
• 12.5% discount from The Energy Conservatory
• 8% discount + free shipping from TruTech Tools