Section 553.992, F.S, requires the Department of Community Affairs (Department) to update the Building Energy-Efficiency Rating System (BERS) in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 120, F.S. Section 553.995(2), F.S., requires the BERS program ...

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Division of Housing and Community Development

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
9B-60.002: Definitions
9B-60.003: Department Activities
9B-60.004: Florida Building Energy Rating System, Adopted
9B-60.005: Training and Certification Program
9B-60.007: Florida Building Energy Rating System, Existing Public Buildings
9B-60.008: Guidelines for Uniformity, Adopted
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Section 553.992, F.S, requires the Department of Community Affairs (Department) to update the Building Energy-Efficiency Rating System (BERS) in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 120, F.S. Section 553.995(2), F.S., requires the BERS program to be compatible with federal rating systems and state building codes and standards. The proposed changes will make the rule consistent with a national standard for home energy rating systems that is promulgated by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) which provides certifications for builders wishing to claim federal tax credits from the Internal Revenue Service.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The Department intends to update Chapter 9B-60, F.A.C., concerning the BERS by adopting the current Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards, utilizing the same software used for energy code compliance (EnergyGauge USA for residential buildings and EnergyGauge Summit for commercial buildings) as rater tools, specifying that a Program Administrator shall represent the Department in implementing the BERS, changing some certification standards for raters and updating forms. The Department seeks public input on the need for additional changes to the rule.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 553.992, 553.995(4), 553.998 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 553.990, 553.991, 553.992, 553.993, 553.994, 553.995, 553.996, 553.997, 553.998 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: December 15, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Kelley Training Room, Sadowski Building, Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Ann Stanton, Building Codes Analyst, Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Ann Stanton, Building Codes Analyst, Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE.