RESTalk Bill Spohn

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught."  — Baba Dioum
 

In the latest episode of RESTalk podcast, Bill Spohn hosts Paulette McGhie and Ryan Meres to discuss RESNET®'s innovative approaches to water, carbon, and building codes. Paulette McGhie, who recently joined RESNET, shares her extensive background in energy compliance and her passion for energy transparency, driven by a personal experience involving her mother's high utility bills. She now focuses on outreach, education, and advocacy, aiming to promote net-zero energy homes by 2040.
The discussion highlights RESNET®'s recent activities, including a significant meeting with Utah's water conservation board to address water reduction goals. Paulette emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts among key stakeholders to create incentives and recognition programs for builders adopting water-efficient practices. Ryan Meres discusses RESNET®'s recent policy forum in Washington, D.C., where they advocated for a federal tax credit for water efficiency, similar to the existing 45L tax credit for energy-efficient homes.
The podcast also covers the challenges in promoting water efficiency and adopting advanced building codes. Paulette and Ryan acknowledge the difficulties builders face, particularly in regions with strict outdoor water use regulations. They stress the need for continuous education and advocacy to overcome these obstacles. Both guests are optimistic about increasing builder participation in RESNET® programs and establishing a robust energy code compliance program, aiming for significant progress in the next year.
 
Paueltte’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulette-mcghie-b4675516/
Ryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-meres-58977110/

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.
Learn more at www.RESNET.us.
Or for more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

"Build-to-rent isn't just about providing a place to live; it's about crafting communities where flexibility and convenience meet modern living standards."


In this episode of the RESTalk podcast, host Bill Spohn welcomed returning guest Laurel Elam and new participant Thomas Cochran. The discussion primarily centered on the burgeoning trend of build-to-rent (BTR) housing. Thomas, who serves as the Senior Vice President of National Business Development and Marketing at ARCXIS, shared insights on his role which involves strategic partnerships and initiatives that span regional to national scales, focusing lately on sustainability and energy efficiency in building projects.
The conversation delved into the specifics of the build-to-rent sector, which Thomas described as detached multifamily housing projects or "horizontal apartments." These developments are typically managed by property management firms after being constructed by home builders. Laurel, who has been actively presenting with Thomas on this topic, mentioned RESNET's involvement through a newly formed advisory group aimed at aligning the rating industry with the build-to-rent movement. This initiative reflects a significant opportunity for energy rating companies to contribute to this growing sector.
Further, both speakers discussed the practical applications and implications of the build-to-rent model. They emphasized the importance of energy ratings not only for individual homeowners but also for institutional investors and property managers, highlighting the broad appeal and utility of the HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index in these projects. The podcast touched on the geographic expansion of build-to-rent projects, particularly noting active markets in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Georgia, and how these projects cater to a diverse demographic, including younger generations and retirees looking for flexibility and convenience in housing.

Thomas’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-c-549bab41/
Laurel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-elam-5404817/
Related articles:
https://www.resnet.us/articles/build-to-rent-housing-sees-dynamic-growth-in-2023/
https://www.resnet.us/articles/resnet-appoints-btr-advisory-group-arcxis-thomas-cochran-as-chair/

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.
Learn more at www.RESNET.us.
Or for more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US
 
 

"Advocacy is the mirror reflecting the voices of the community into the corridors of power."
- Unknown
In today’s podcast we cover the topic of advocacy and public policy in the context of the residential energy sector learning from our guests Robert Pegues, General Manager of Technical Delivery at US Ecologic, and RESNET board member, and Carl Chidlow, a lobbyist representing RESNET. Robert shares his background in the sector, highlighting his experience at last year’s policy forum and his involvement with regional and national energy councils. Carl provides insights into RESNET's efforts to engage with policymakers through the RESNET Policy Forum, emphasizing the importance of practitioner involvement in legislative processes and the positive outcomes from bipartisan support on issues like the 45L tax credit and VA home loans.
Our main discussion revolves around the upcoming 2024 RESNET Policy Forum, where industry professionals will convene to advocate for energy efficiency and housing policies. Carl explains the event's objectives and the practical aspects of participating, such as scheduled meetings with Congress members and the importance of constituency in policy advocacy, a truly turnkey process for the participant. Our narrative underlines the significance of direct engagement in shaping policies that affect the residential energy sector.
The conversation also touches on the practical and personal aspects of participating in such an event, with Robert sharing his initial apprehensions and eventual satisfaction from influencing policy and advocating for industry concerns. Both Carl and Robert encourage listeners to participate in the policy forum, highlighting the opportunity to affect change and the foundational American right to petition the government. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to consider attending the policy forum and engaging in the democratic process to advocate for their industry and interests.

Robert’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-pegues-785622a7/
Carl’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-chidlow-7816ba37/
Link to the 2024 Policy Forum: https://www.resnet.us/2024-policy-forum/

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.
Learn more at www.RESNET.us.
Or for more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US
 
 

"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it."
- Estée Lauder
 
We welcome Sharla Riead, Lead Instructor at Energy Smart Institute and Emelie Cuppernell Glitch, VP Programs at Performance Systems Development to focusing on the recognition of women in the HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating industry. Sharla shares her extensive background, beginning with founding an energy auditing company in 1979, which evolved into a HERS rating company, and subsequently into roles in quality assurance and training within the industry. She emphasizes her company's impact and the shift she has observed towards greater female involvement in the sector.
Emelie details her journey in the industry, from her initial interest in science and residential energy to her current role as vice president of Performance Systems Development. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in the field, including overcoming assumed biases and the importance of establishing credibility. She reflects on the changing landscape for women in the industry, noting improvements and sharing a personal anecdote illustrating past gender assumptions.
The conversation concludes with advice for women entering the industry, highlighting the importance of continuous learning, self-trust, and getting outside one’s comfort zone. Both guests underline the evolving nature of the industry, noting an increase in female participation, the growing list of role models and encouraging more women to join. They stress the value of diversity and the need for different perspectives in building science and energy efficiency, illustrating the industry’s ongoing transformation and the significant contributions of women.
Links To Sharla and Emelie on LinkedIn are below along with a Press Release from the RESNET’s Inaugural Class Recognizing Women Pioneers in the HERS Industry during the 2023 conference held in San Diego, CA.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharla-riead/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emelie-cuppernell-glitch-a8647b26/
https://www.resnet.us/about/inaugural-class-of-resnet-recognition-of-women-pioneers-in-hers-industry/

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.
Learn more at www.RESNET.us.
Or for more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

The best way to predict your future is to create it.
- Abraham Lincoln
 
Data is king, they say. How can the RESNET Quality Assurance (QA) app's data insights revolutionize how we rate energy-efficient homes?
 
Imagine a world where getting your home energy rating was made easier by using a smartphone app. Is that the future the RESNET QA app promises?
 
Our trio of guests, Quality Assurance Designees (QADs) Cassandra Wright from Strand Systems and Leo Jansen from Energy Efficient Homes Midwest, and RESNET Quality Assurance Field  Specialist Billy Giblin, help us to understand the development and application of the new RESNET QA app, a tool designed to improve the quality and consistency of home energy ratings. Here are some key points:
 
Background:
The QA checklist was created to address concerns about inconsistencies in quality assurance (QA) reviews.
The checklist evolved through several versions and became a mandatory provider requirement.
The need for better data access and tracking led to development of the QA app.
 
The App:
Available on the Apple Store, Google Play, and as a web app.
Streamlines the QA process by pulling data from the RESNET Buildings Registry.
Saves time and reduces manual entries.
Allows providers to control access for their QADs.
 
Future Plans:
Integrate with other energy efficiency programs like Energy Star Indoor airPlus and Zero Energy Ready Homes.
Create a forum for QADs to ask questions and share best practices.
Develop dashboards for providers and QADs to track their QA and performance.
Implement an API for providers who want to use their own tools for QA.
 
Benefits:
Improves transparency and consistency in QA reviews.
Provides valuable data for tracking and improving performance.
Reduces the workload for QADs and providers.
 
Challenges:
Providers who use a retroactive QA model may need to adjust their process.
Learning curve for using the new app and API.
 
Overall, the RESNET QA app is a positive step towards improving the quality and consistency of home energy ratings. Everyone will need time to adjust to the new system, but the potential benefits are significant.

Link to RESNET site with info on the QA app: www.resnet.us/about/qa/resnet-qa-app/



RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.
Learn more at www.RESNET.us.
Or for more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US
 

Time is neutral and does not change things.
With courage and initiative, leaders change things.
- Jesse Jackson
 
The advent of a new year naturally brings broader thinking, more introspection, and the creation of future goals.
What future goal has RESNET’s board recently adopted?
What near-term initiatives create the path to that goal?
How confident is RESNET in meeting that goal?
What is “embodied passion index?” 

In 2024’s inaugural episode of RESTALK, Steve Baden and Mark Johnson discuss RESNET’s ambitious goal of achieving one million ratings by the end of 2028. This goal represents a significant shift towards a goal-driven budget, breaking away from traditional year-to-year budgeting. The board's decision to set such an audacious goal is based on several factors, including the increasing demand for housing, the need for energy efficiency in homes, and the availability of new tools and initiatives.
 
One key initiative is the collaboration between RESNET and the International Code Council (ICC) to improve compliance with energy codes. This involves training and certifying RESNET HERS (Home Energy Rating System) raters who can play a crucial role in ensuring compliance. The extension and amendment of the 45L tax credit also provides incentives for builders to focus on energy efficiency in homes. Additionally, the use of HERS index scores as a matrix for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting by production builders and the growth of green bond programs by finance organizations further demonstrate the industry's commitment to sustainability.
 
The interview also highlights RESNET’s efforts in developing a water efficiency index, a carbon index for homes, and the promising build-to-rent movement, which addresses the housing shortage while promoting energy-efficient homes. The conversation concludes with both Steve and Mark expressing confidence in RESNET’s ability to achieve its ambitious goal, driven by the passion and commitment of the industry and the growing demand for energy-efficient and sustainable homes.


RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.
Learn more at www.RESNET.us
Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US