Ask The Energy Expert - "What is an Energy Rater?"
The State of Florida is a leader nationally in building energy efficient homes. In 1979, the Florida State Government established a statue that allowed us to have our own building energy code, largely due to our unique climate. That code was developed and been in place since. The state currently has only one provider of energy related training and oversight for those working in the building energy rater system world (BERS), which is the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, FL. FSEC is affiliated with the University of Central Florida. Our state has a certification for energy raters. Energy raters are people who may perform varying levels of energy related audits and evaluations on our homes. There are currently three levels of state certified energy raters. A level 3 energy rater may only input information from blueprints into approved software on new construction. They may help a builder know if he has achieved compliance with Florida’s Energy Code or project an unofficial HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Score which is measuring the builder’s home against the International Energy Conservation Code.
A state certified energy rater level II, may do what a level three may do but also may go out to a job site or existing home to both gather information or verify information to perform the computerized energy rating of the home. Whenever you have someone approach you to perform a “Free Energy Audit,” of your home, I would ask to see some evidence they hold this level II state certification. There is an online search engine you can search to verify for yourself a person’s credential.
A state certified energy rater level I, may do what both the other levels may do but also does diagnostic testing of both how “leaky” your home is and how “leaky” your duct system is. The level I certification is nationally recognized and someone with that credential may do energy rating work in every state but California. The pictures are the two diagnostic tests. The one with the big red frame in the doorway is testing the leakage of the walls, windows, basically the exterior of the home known as the envelope. The other unit attaches to the duct work and all the vents are taped off. A slight depressurization will pull air in through all the leaks in the ducts and the equipment will measure exactly how much leakage there is.
I highly recommend when doing energy upgrades to your home to investigate the rater search engine and find a rater near your home who can advise you. These people are trained, have spent thousands of dollars on training and equipment and are overseen for quality control purposes. There is also now a state registered trade association that many raters have formed to help develop and educate the industry. You may see that organization’s website at www.beapfl.org. For any energy related questions or comments email sranck@fpuc.com.
- Loading comments...
