-----Original Message----- From: Steve Baden [SMTP:resnet@corecom.net] Sent: Friday, January 23, 1998 12:50 AM To: 'RESNET' Subject: RESNET NOTES RESNET NOTES January 23, 1998 ************************************************************************** EPA ADOPTS NEW ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION OPTION THAT RESULTS IN OVER 500 ENERGY STAR HOMES CERTIFIED IN ALASKA ALONE In a move that will make it easier for consumers to purchase an ENERGY STAR certified home and to develop even more effective partnerships with its home energy rating system allies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a new option for certifying ENERGY STAR homes. EPA will now certify any new home that receives a home energy rating of 86 points or higher from an home energy rating system. This means that builders are no longer required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to receive Energy Star certification for their homes. Builders must sign the MOU, however, to receive EPA's marketing materials, technical support or use the ENERGY STAR logo. The new policy is a result of a proposal from Energy Rated Homes of Alaska and Energy Rated Homes of Vermont to address the issue that smaller builders are hesitant to sign a MOU. Many of these builders build homes that receive Five Star energy ratings and have worked with the energy rating systems in creating a market for energy efficiency. In Alaska almost every home built receives an energy rating and a majority rated by Energy Rated Homes of Alaska meet or exceed the ENERGY STAR Homes requirements. As a result of the new EPA policy 534 homes built in Alaska since July 1996 have been certified as ENERGY STAR Homes. Barbara Collins, Executive Director of Energy Rated Homes of Alaska, Inc. lauded the change of policy as a recognition by EPA of the effectiveness of its home energy rating system allies, "Energy Rated Homes of Alaska in partnership with the housing industry has transformed the state's housing market towards energy efficiency. This transformation is documented by the fact that although Alaska has one of the smallest populations in the country, it has more ENERGY STAR Homes certified than any other state." While Alaskan builders are no longer required to sign the ENERGY STAR MOU, Energy Rated Homes of Alaska is working with EPA ENERGY STAR staff to recruit Alaskan builders to sign the MOU and take advantage of EPA's marketing support. Blaine Collison, Ally Manager for EPA commented that EPA adopted the policy change because, "We want it as easy as possible for allies to bring builders into the program. This is a very exciting opportunity to dramatically and quickly expand the market presence of ENERGY STAR Homes. We will continue to rely on our allies to recruit builder partners." For more information contact: Blaine Collison, ENERGY STAR Homes at (202) 564-9139 or e-mail collison.blaine@epamail.epa.gov. NEVADA HOME ENERGY RATING SYSTEM STARTED Nevada has joined the ranks of states that are striving to transform their housing market through a home energy rating system. The Nevada rating program has been launched as a pilot partnership between the Nevada State Energy Office and the state's housing industry. The Nevada home energy rating system is guided by a housing industry steering committee composed of the state's leading builders, lenders, and electric and gas utilities. The development of the program was steered by three industry task forces: organizational chaired by Terri Barber of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association; technical chaired by Richard Sevigny of the Nevada Appraisal Institute; and marketing chaired by Paddy Ryan of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors. The housing industry steering committee selected the home energy rating software program REM/Rate for the pilot program. David McNeil, program manager for the Nevada State Energy Office stated that the Energy Nevada rating program is undertaking a comprehensive approach and will be tied into other housing initiatives in the state such as the EPA ENERGY STAR Home Program, the Department of Energy's Building America Program, compliance to the Model Energy Code, and the national primary mortgage industry's Energy Rated Homes preferred financing programs. Mr. McNeil commented that: "We are very excited about the potential of the home energy rating program. Its market force potential is demonstrated by the fact that the leading Las Vegas building firms Pulte Homes, Lewis Homes, Watt Homes, and Fiesta Homes have already agreed to participate in the program." Pulte, Lewis, and Watt Homes are ENERGY STAR Home Builders. The launching of the Nevada home energy rating system has important national implications due to the significance of the state's housing market. The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported the for the 12th consecutive year, Nevada is the nation's fastest growing state. The Mortgage Bankers Association of America has ranked Las Vegas as the "hotest housing market" in the United States. For more information on the Nevada home energy rating system contact: David McNeil at dmcneil@govmail.nv.us. ENERGY RATED HOMES OF COLORADO AND ALLY LENDERS TEAM UP TO HELP CONSUMERS STAY WARM THIS WINTER Purchasing an energy efficient home or improving the efficiency of an existing home has become even more easier and attractive to Colorado home buyers thanks to a partnership that Energy Rated Homes of Colorado has entered in with Universal Lending Corporation, First Colorado Mortgage, and GMAC Mortgage. All three mortgages companies are offering preferred mortgage for homes that have been rated by the Colorado home energy rating system. Universal Lending is offering a free appraisal (up to a $350 value) on all homes that have been energy rated, and a free credit report (up to a $75 value) for energy improvement mortgages. GMAC Mortgage is offering a half percent off the standard 1% origination fee and a free appraisal for buyers of new or existing homes that have an E-Star rating. First Colorado Mortgage in cooperation with Poudre Valley REA will offer $625 off closing costs for homes that have been rated 4 Stars or better. The Colorado lenders are offering these preferred financing programs to capture the emerging market for home energy ratings in the state. Jay Luboff, director of Energy Rated Homes of Colorado commented, "Having a third-party, non-biased energy rater evaluate the home gives the home buyer a much more comprehensive and fair analysis." For more information contact Jay Luboff at: (303) 297-7392. NORWEST MORTGAGE MANAGING DIRECTOR JOINS RESNET MORTGAGE STEERING COMMITTEE RESNET's goal of fostering a national market for home energy ratings and energy mortgages received an important boost with the addition of Geoff Dreyer, Managing Director of Norwest Mortgage Inc. to RESNET's Mortgage Industry Steering Committee. Mr. Dreyer is responsible for gauging volatility and managing risks associated with the company's diverse business lines. Specific areas include risk management, capital markets, trading, credit, compliance, and legal markets. Mr. Dreyer joined Norwest Mortgage in 1996 as executive vice president, loan production administration, where he was responsible for expanding the company's compliance, production support and automated underwriting initiatives. Prior to joining Norwest Mortgage, Geoff Dreyer served in a variety of positions with Chase Manhattan Mortgage. Combined, Mr. Dreyer has more than 14 years of mortgage banking experience including financial management, acquisition, and servicing activities. Geoff Dryer earned a bachelor degree in philosophy from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA, and an MBA in finance from the University of Denver, Denver, CO. Norwest Mortgage is the nation's leading originator and servicer of residential mortgages. Originating $12.5 billion in mortgage loans during the second quarter of 1997 according to National Mortgage News. Norwest Mortgage offers ENERGY STAR Homes inspired preferred financing for 5 Star rated homes in Alaska and Vermont in partnership with Energy Rated Homes of Alaska, Inc. and Energy Rated Homes of Vermont. The RESNET Mortgage Industry Steering Committee guides RESNET's activities. The steering committee is co-chaired by Leland C. Brendsel, Chairman and CEO of Freddie Mac, and Donald E. Lange , President and CEO of Weyerhaeuser Financial Services. Donald E. Lange commented on Mr. Dryer's joining the RESNET steering committee: "Having the addition of an industry leader with the experience of Geoff Dreyer will serve to enhance the credibility of home energy ratings and energy mortgages as a market force in the housing industry." U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFERS FUNDING FOR HOME ENERGY RATING SYSTEM ACTIVITIES In 1994 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) began working with home energy rating systems in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Vermont, and Virginia, and most recently Mississippi to encourage the adoption of home energy rating systems to improve the energy efficiency of homes. In the FY 1998 Budget, Congress directed that $250,000 to other states to encourage these actions. As part of its State Energy Program Special Projects, DOE is soliciting proposals from state energy offices to: (1) housing industry training on home energy ratings and residential energy efficiency financing; (2) Develop and distribute educational materials to increase awareness of home energy ratings and financing options; and (3) partnerships with financial and housing organizations to increase the use of home energy ratings. DOE expects to make five to ten awards. Applications are due February 16, 1998. For more information, contact your state's energy office. For a listing of state energy offices, visit the National Association of State Energy Officials web site that can be linked through RESNET's web site links to other sites. THE COMPANY WE KEEP: RESNET'S 1998 MEMBERS RESNET's wishes to thank the following companies and organizations that have enrolled as 1998 members of RESNET. If you haven't already, please join our growing network. Airway Heating & Cooling Iowa Energy Center Albany County Energy Council Aladdin Insulation Alliance to Save Energy Architectural Energy Corporation Arkansas Electric Cooperative Assn. Arkansas Energy Office Associated Electric Cooperatives Ball State University Building Code Assistance Project Building Inspection Services California Building Industry Association Cardinal, IG Cincinnati-Hamilton County Comm Action CertainTeed Insulation Coastal Community Action Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Community Action Agency Community & Economic Dev. Assn of Cook County Community Environmental Center Community Services Agency Corn Belt Power Cooperative Creative Carpentry David Ammons, Consultant Draingain Technology East Texas Human Development Energy Center of Wisconsin Energy Efficient Mortgages, Inc. Energy Rated Homes of Alaska Energy Rated Homes of Colorado Energy Rated Homes of Indiana Energy Rated Homes of Mississippi Energy Rated Homes of Nevada Energy Rated Homes of Utah Energy Rated Homes of Vermont Enerspect Fiesta Homes First National Bank of Alaska Florida Power Corporation Florida Solar Energy Center Foam Enterprises Fort Collins Light & Power Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium GMAC Mortgage Green Mountain Power Hall Quality Homes Hoag Associates Home Builders Association of Denver Home Energy Ratings of Ohio Honeywell DMC Services Indiana Office of Energy Policy Iowa Assn of Municipal Utilities Iowa Dept of Natural Resources Kansas Dept of Commerce & Housing Kansas Energy Star LarAmy Associates Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Malzon Construction Mid-Iowa Community Action Mid-Nebraska Community Services Minnesota Department of Public Service Missouri Ozark Comm. Action Mortgage Training Services Muskegon-Ocena Community Action NCI Information Systems Nevada State Energy Office Nevada Residential Energy Services New Mexico Mortgage Finance North Carolina Electric Membership Northern Arizona Council of Gov NRG-Calc Nueces County Community Action Nu-Wool Company Ocala Electric Utility Panda Homes R.L. Matin & Associates Reif's Hammers & Pipes Sacramento Municipal Utility District Salt Lake Community Action Save Energy Company Sioux City Municipal Utilities Southwest Gas Stitt Energy Systems Strategic Guidance Associates Sun Power Tennessee Valley Authority The Energy Doctor The Home Inspector General Timberline Homes Tri County Community Action UGI Utilities - Gas Division Upper Cumberland Comm. Services U.S. Department of Energy - Seattle Support Office Utah Energy Conservation Coalition Utah Office of Energy Services Utah State University Vermontwise Energy Services Volt VIEWtech West Central Missouri Comm. 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