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

 

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-60.008: Guidelines for Uniformity, Adopted
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Section 553.992, FS, requires the Department of Community Affairs (the Department) to update the Building Energy-Efficiency Rating System in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 120, F.S. Section 553.995 (2), F.S., requires the BERS program to be compatible with standard federal rating systems and state building codes and standards, where applicable. The proposed rule changes coincide with changes made to the national standard governing home energy rating systems. Updating to this standard allows Florida to maintain its accreditation with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), which has positioned itself to provide certifications for builders wishing to claim federal tax credits from the Internal Revenue Service.
Although the effect of upgrading to a new computer program initially causes a divergence between the BERS program and Florida’s energy code, both the energy code and the BERS rating reports provide information required by s. 553.902, FS: levels of insulation, the amount and type of glass, and the HVAC and water heating system efficiencies. Efforts to ameliorate this divergence in compliance tools include a translation program to take code compliance files and transfer the information to the BERS program, and a proposal to upgrade the energy code to the EnergyGauge USA program during the 2007 code update cycle. The EPL Display Card referenced in S. 553.9085, FS, currently utilizes an Estimated Energy Performance Score, which mimics the current Class 3 BERS rating. This “score” will be maintained until the code is changed.
The revised standard proposed as a change to Rule 9B-60.008, the 2006 Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards (HERS), amended November 7, 2005, requires the following additional changes to the program. These changes are reflected in the proposed revisions to Rule 9B-60:
1. The HERS Score is changed to a HERS Index with the Reference Standard for a home becoming a ratio when compared to the Design home.
2. The ratings will no longer be based on the Florida energy code because the computer program used to calculate energy code compliance is not capable of meeting the new National HERS Standards. Rather, the program will utilize the EnergyGauge USA program, which meets the new Standards.
3. Class 1 raters will be required by the Standards to pass the RESNET National Core Exam. Recertification of raters will no longer require peer review and reevaluation.
4. Reporting of ratings will be via website upload.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Adopts the 2006 Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Accreditation Standards, amended November 7, 2005, promulgated by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and the National Association of State Energy Officials, and amends applicable portions of the rule to reflect this change. Changes name of Home Energy Rating System “HERS Score” to “HERS Index”and amends definition of HERS Index to make it consistent with the 2006 Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards. Provides that the HERS Index will be determined using the software system called EnergyGauge® USA, version 2.5. Amends certification requirements for Raters to include achievement of a passing score on the RESNET National Core Exam.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 553.992, 553.994, 553.998 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 553.992, 553.995, 553.995(1), (1)(c), (4), 553.996 FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW (IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS WORKSHOP WILL NOT BE HELD):
TIME AND DATE: August 11, 2006, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
PLACE: Randall Kelley Training Room, Third Floor, Sadowski Building, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Any person requiring special accommodations at the workshop because of a disability or physical impairment should contact Ila Jones, Community Program Administrator, Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Sadowski Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, [phone], at least seven days before the date of the workshop. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Department of Community Affairs using the Florida Dual Party Relay System, which can be reached at 1(800)955-8770 (voice) or 1(800)955-9771 (TDD).
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], SunCom 278-0964.

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