RESTalk – Details, episodes & analysis

"As homes get tighter, ventilation isn't optional—it's essential."

— Patrick Nielsen
 

In this episode of RESTalk, host Bill Spohn sits down with Patrick Nielsen, Global Technical Products Manager at Broan-NuTone, to discuss the evolving world of home ventilation. With over two decades of experience, Patrick walks us through the major drivers shaping residential ventilation practices today—from tighter building envelopes to the growing emphasis on indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

Patrick explains the importance of dwelling unit ventilation (DUV), spot vs. whole-house strategies, and the increasing role of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) as builders and raters seek practical ways to meet stringent codes and achieve better HERS scores. He also touches on upcoming developments like capture efficiency standards for range hoods, automated balancing features in modern ERVs, and the implications of makeup air requirements. Whether you’re a builder, rater, or HVAC pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights for navigating the ventilation challenges in today’s high-performance homes.

Patrick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-nielsen-48b93a3/

Broan’s website: https://broan-nutone.com/en-us

Broan Specficier tools (A variety of code-compliant specification tools for project applications.): https://broan-nutone.com/en-us/home/specifier-tools

The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI): www.hvi.org

Links to ASHRAE 62.1 and 62.2 standards: https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/standards-62-1-62-2

One of many sites to find building codes by state: https://ibhs.org/public-policy/building-codes-by-state/

To the RESNET® community, we hear you and want to engage. Learn more at www.RESNET.us.

For more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

"You can’t manage what you can’t measure."

— Peter Drucker
 

In this insightful episode of RESTalk, host Bill Spohn welcomes Scott Doyle, RESNET’s Managing Director of Quality Assurance (QA), for a comprehensive update on what’s ahead in the world of RESNET QA®. Scott unpacks the most significant changes hitting the registry, Chapter 9 standards, and the QA app—all designed to modernize, streamline, and strengthen the QA process.

The conversation delves into how these updates will affect HERS® raters and providers, with a major focus on the ENERGY STAR QA/QC program. Scott outlines the move toward increased documentation, real-time oversight, and the eventual integration of automation and AI into RESNET’s workflow. With the industry’s expectations for speed and accuracy climbing, these changes aim to ensure trust, defensibility, and better service. He also gives a call to action: start adapting now by reviewing ENERGY STAR Field Checklist Revision 14.

Whether you’re a provider, QAD, or rater, this episode equips you with both the “why” and the “what’s next” behind the QA evolution—and how to stay ahead of the curve.

Note: This episode was recorded on May 1, prior to the recent speculation that the Trump administration is planning to eliminate the EPA and ENERGY STAR. RESNET has been active in advocating for the preservation of the 45L tax credit and ENERGY STAR Homes and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. 

Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-doyle-84750823/

Link to RESTalk Episode 134: Boosting Efficiency: How RESNET’s QA App Is Transforming the Industry https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/33586437

Energy Star National Field Rater Checklist, Rev 14: https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/National%20Rater%20Field%20Checklist_Rev%2014.pdf

RESNET QA Compliance Specialist Job Postings: https://www.resnet.us/articles/job-posting-resnet-qa-compliance-specialists-regional-positions/

To the RESNET® community, we hear you and want to engage. Learn more at www.RESNET.us.

For more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

The greatest value of a picture is when it forces us to notice what we never expected to see. John Tukey

In this episode of RESTalk, host Bill Spohn welcomes his most frequent guest, RESNET staff member, Ryan Meres, to discuss the latest trends in the 2024 edition of the HERS-rated homes. This report, created as an initiative of the RESNET Suppliers Advisory Board, highlights data trends and analysis in the residential construction market. The report shows a consistent year-over-year increase in HERS ratings, with the total number last year reaching 362,000, and projections for this year indicating that the number may surpass 400,000. Notably, states like Massachusetts and Arizona have seen significant adoption rates of HERS ratings in new homes, with Massachusetts leading at 98%.

The conversation delves into various aspects of the report, such as the geographic distribution of HERS ratings, the types of ventilation systems used in homes, and the rise of all-electric homes. Meres notes that certain states, like Texas, have seen substantial increases in the percentage of homes receiving HERS ratings. The report also explores energy cost savings, insulation values, and air leakage rates, highlighting that homes with solar panels tend to have better insulation compared to those without. Additionally, the trend towards high-efficiency mechanical equipment and the decreasing use of gas heating and water heating systems is discussed, reflecting a gradual shift towards more energy-efficient building practices.

Finally, the podcast touches on the growing importance of the HERSH2O rating system, which measures water efficiency in homes. Ryan explains that the program has been expanding, particularly in the Southwest, and is beginning to gain traction in other regions as well. The report indicates that HERSH2O rated homes can save significant amounts of water annually. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the value of the data provided in the report, emphasizing its role in helping builders and decision-makers understand and implement best practices for achieving energy and water efficiency in residential construction.

Link to the report: https://www.resnet.us/wp-content/uploads/RESNET_2024_HERSTrendsDataReport_FINAL.pdf 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

To succeed today, you have to set priorities, decide what you stand for.

-Lee Iacocca

To move ahead, people, organizations, communities all need priorities to focus their attention and direct their energies.

RESNET has sharpened its focus on three topics for 2020.

In this Episode, Steve Baden shares with us the ambitious priorities that will lead towards the goals RESNET has set for 2020.

Steve gives us background and context for the initiatives which include:

Energy Code Compliance

Steve explains why it follows that HERS Raters are recognized by code officials as the “go-to-option” for code verification 

HERS H2O Water Efficiency Rating System

Grading the Efficiency of the Installation of the HVAC System of a Home

These plans will be announced at the General Session of the at 2020 RESNET Conference and covered in detail in various breakout sessions. The conference is set for February 24-26, 2020 in Scottsdale, AZ

Learn more and sign up for the conference at  www.resnet.us/conference/scottsdale-2020/

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional 

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

To study consumer behavior is to explore human nature at its most fundamental level using the modern world as a backdrop.

-Gad Saad

What is on the mind of the housing consumer?

How important is a rated home?

What kind of consumers are attracted to buy rated homes?

Listen in as Steve Baden shares details and insights into a new housing study conducted by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), a government enterprise more commonly known as Freddie Mac.

This study found that HERS rated homes sold for an average of 2.7% more than comparable unrated homes. And homes with lower HERS Index Scores selling for 3 – 5% more than homes with higher scores. The study also found that buyers of HERS rated homes also have more desirable mortgage profiles.

Steve covers the reasons and process involved in this study that merged HERS data from a random sampling of about 70,000 HERS rated homes with about 380,000 non-rated homes adding credit bureau data to gain insights into the profiles of buyers.

Learn how this study shows how so many stakeholders can win from the implementation of rated homes. Get the best perspective by attending the annual conference session on this topic.

Download a copy of the study here: www.bit.ly/FMStudy-RESNET

This study shows that the right kind of consumers are appreciating and responding to the way a HERS rating communicates the value of a home’s energy performance.

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional 

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

Collaboration is a key part of the success of any organization, executed through a clearly defined vision and mission based on transparency and constant communication.

-Dinesh Paliwal

Putting together a conference is no mean feat.

I know. I have tried.

Putting together a conference at the level of RESNET conferences, is an awesome challenge that is handled so well by the RESNET staff.

The annual conference is one of the largest communications and community building activities produced by RESNET.

Listen in as we talk with Emma Bennett and Steve Baden about the RESNET 2020 conference coming up February 24-26, 2020 in Scottsdale, AZ

Hear how this interactive conference is built by the participants via session submissions and polling – a true grassroots effort of what the community finds of interest.

This is an unique chance to interact with the thought leaders and practitioners that shape the rating industry. Time for you to become an influencer and be influenced! This is an unrivalled chance to network.

Learn of the three initiatives that embody the RESNET 2020 plan:

Expansion of Raters into code Verification

The launch of the HERS H2O rating system

The launch of the HVAC system efficiency rating system

You’ll also get a snapshot of the 120 session topics, including three offsite tours and the community give-back activity with Habitat for Humanity. Plus, a chance to see over 50 product & serivce exhibitors.

More details on the conference at  www.resnet.us/conference/scottsdale-2020/

If you have any questions drop an email to info@resnet.us

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional 

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

- Modified from John “Hannibal” Smith from the A-Team TV Series

Open communication.
Creative solutions.
Engaged dialog.

These are just a few of the qualities embodied by RESNET’s QA team of Laurel Elam, Scott Doyle and Billy Giblin. 

Or the A-Team as they are called by colleagues.

In this podcast, we get an interactive overview of the QA team’s activities over the past year.

Scott explains some new pilot programs which incentivize quality assurance efforts while Laurel covers the partnerships with RESNET providers engaged in utility programs.

Laurel gives insight into policy improvements which stand to reduce the time burden of certain quality assurance activities while Scott discusses the evolution of Quality Assurance Designee (QAD) training. 

We also hear where the infield visits have taken Billy, across climate zones and learn of his choices for the best places to eat!

Billy and Scott wrap up the conversation by covering some of the valuable feedback received from providers during both face to face visits and online review meetings.

You can reach the QA team by email:

Laurel@RESNET.US Scott@RESNET.US Billy@RESNET.US

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional 

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

When you have a system, you kind of get in a routine of what’s important. And then you spend a lot more time on thinking of things that would make it better.

-Nick Saban

Structured thinking.

Systems thinking. 

Our guest today (and his company) embody systems thinking at a very high level. 

Panelization in construction is a very structured, systematic topic. If you are not familiar with panelized construction, you soon will be.

When you dig into it, panelized construction has its roots in the 1950s. In 2014, the top 20 US builders used panelization in roughly 40% of their builds. Yet, overall, modular, precut and panelized construction amounted to only 3.6% of the market in 2016.

Anthony Grisolia, Managing Director Innovation at IBACOS, joins us to discuss the history, background, process and role of the HERS rater in the world of panelized construction.

Anthony shares with us his technical and market understanding of panelization and its relationship to costs, labor and BIM (Building Information Modeling).

He discussed the implications for HERS raters across the range of panelization modes with regard to topics like: where the inspection process takes place, as some of the traditional inspections can be done in the manufacturing plant and duct and air tightness testing which still need to be completed on building site.

You can reach Anthony by sending an email to his attention at agrisolia@ibacos.com

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional 

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

-Soren Kierkegaard

If anyone could write a book for understanding life in the housing market, it’s Jeff Bentley. His understanding comes from many years of living the experience forwards, in a variety of roles.

Carpenter, builder, rater and realtor, this self-identified kid in the classroom that always asked why, Jeff Bentley has developed a keen understanding of what goes into making a high-performance home and which aspects uniquely interest prospective buyers.

Jeff is a 4th generation home builder turned realtor who has personally supervised the construction of over 4,000 homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. He acutely understands that buyers buy on emotion, yet they justify the costs (money and time) with logic.

Jeff has assisted clients in designing and building high performance, energy efficient homes. Including the first LEED Gold home in Frisco, TX. 

He shares with us his five rules: take care of the customer, train continuously, top down commitment, verify the work, be willing to evolve.

In his writings, he suggests that every superintendent and operations person should be energy rater certified, so that energy raters wouldn't need to be the “kW police”.  He believes these concepts, many of which are embodied in RESNET standards, have changed homebuilding forever.

He stresses the importance of air sealing and accountability of the trades yielding work properly completed the first time and the concept that quality is still free! 

His experience and capabilities guide his clients in selecting architects, home builders, lots, lenders and subcontractors or suppliers. His clients enjoy a high-performance home while the maximizing the benefits of energy tax credits, utility rebates and supplier discounts.

Jeff shares what he has learned within his company and at national appraisers’ conferences. You can reach out to Jeff at jdbentley27@yahoo.com

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional 

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

The success of a production depends on the attention paid to detail.

-David O. Selznick

Building any new home requires tremendous attention to detail.

And if you are looking for high performance features, the details skyrocket.

The details of what a customer wants, what materials and designs are available and proven are super critical for proper integration into a sometimes unique, yet always complex system.

If only there were a way to collect and evaluate these details in advance to improve performance, lower cost and shorten build times.

Well… there is.

Multi-award-winning builder, Jay Epstein joins us to discuss Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems and how they can integrate and connect all the building plans across the trades.

Across his 30+ year career as a builder in Virginia, Jay always strives to appeal to a buyer’s senses, while searching for simplicity of the build.

He shares key insights like understanding a new home buyer’s perspective by reflecting on the house they are coming from and how using BIM for a high-performance home can achieve cost neutrality (or better) than market rate “equivalent” homes. He serves as the interpreter between technical numbers and a customer’s expectations.

We also get to take a virtual walk through some of the communities that he has built and is building. The road to these results is paved with research and learning from subcontractors and consultants, like his HERS raters. 

Jay can be reached at Jay@HEC-VA.COM and you can see some of his latest work at www.WFSolarHomes.com – the first Zero Net Energy Ready community in Virginia.

RESTalk: To the RESNET community, we hear you and want to engage.

Pros can learn more at www.RESNET.us/professional 

Consumers can learn more at www.RESNET.us

Or for more info on this topic contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US