REM News

AEC's Popular REM/Rate™ Home Energy Rating Software Accredited by RESNET as IECC Performance Path Verification Tool
September 28, 2007

Architectural Energy Corporation's REM software has been accredited by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) as a performance path compliance tool for the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Both the REM/Rate™ home energy rating software and the REM/Design™ home energy analysis software have earned the accreditation. The accreditation will help build confidence among code officials that these widely used software programs are faithfully and accurately implementing the performance-based compliance rules of the IECC.

The 2006 International Energy Conservation Code provides for a Simulated Performance Alternative, or performance path, as an alternative to the prescriptive requirements of the code. The performance path requires simulation software be used to demonstrate that the annual energy cost for the proposed design is less than the energy cost for the same home built to meet the prescriptive requirements of the code. This performance-based compliance provides great flexibility in designing homes, and offers credit for reduced air infiltration, reduced duct leakage, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, window orientation, solar gain or control, and renewable energy systems. Builders like the flexibility the performance path offers, and homeowners benefit from improved designs based upon a whole-house approach. Historically, RESNET, the home energy rating system (HERS) industry organization, has offered accreditation for HERS software. More recently, RESNET provided accreditation for software used to certify homes for the $2,000 Energy-Efficient New Home Tax Credit authorized under the 2005 Energy Policy Act. Building on that effort, with support from the Department of Energy, the National Energy Renewable Laboratory, and the Florida Solar Energy Center, RESNET developed and published Procedures for Verification of International Energy Conservation Code Performance Path Calculation Tools. The procedures include rigorous suites of tests that software must pass to demonstrate accuracy. The suites test the software's ability to accurately model heating and cooling loads, mechanical equipment and duct systems, and test that the software faithfully implements the IECC's rules for performance-based compliance. The goal of the testing process is to assure code officials that accredited software is appropriate for use in the IECC's Simulated Performance Alternative. Many in the industry welcome the accreditation process. Dave Roberts of Architectural Energy Corporation is one of them: "I've been involved with residential code compliance software for many years — supporting those involved with energy-efficient home design. As far back as the 1980's there have been performance-based paths in the model codes, but until now, there has never been a good way to demonstrate to code officials that software is accurately following the rules spelled out in the codes." Steve Baden, Executive Director of RESNET, also sees advantages to the accreditation procedures: "Builders now have a cost effective means of demonstrating compliance to the energy code while labeling a home as ENERGY STAR and qualifying for the federal tax credit. In addition, for the first time building code officials can have confidence in a software program that has been accredited by an independent national third party." REM/Rate™ and REM/Design™ software users will benefit from the accreditation as code officials will likely be more accepting of the software for code compliance purposes. Users can direct code officials to RESNET's National Registry of Accredited IECC Performance Verification Software Tools on the internet at the following URL: http://www.resnet.us/programs/iecc_software/directory.aspx. Contacts: Architectural Energy Corporation: David R. Roberts, P.E., Senior Engineer 2540 Frontier Avenue, Suite 201 Boulder, Colorado 80301 (303) 444-4149 droberts@archenergy.com [launch ] Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET): Steve Baden, Executive Director P.O. Box 4561 Oceanside, California 92052-4561 (760) 806-3448 info@natresnet.org [launch ] For a printable copy of the press release please click here. [36kb ]

AEC Brings Home 2007 RESNET Innovation Award
January 15, 2007

Over the past twenty-five years Architectural Energy Corporation has provided important program leadership to the HERS industry through its participation in the development of uniform standards, formation of HERS industry organizations, technical and advisory help to HERS Providers and Raters, and continuous development of the REM/Rate™ home energy rating software. AEC, or key staff, has been "at the table" contributing to the development of a HERS industry since the notion of home energy ratings were defined in the 1970's.

Michael Holtz, FAIA, President of AEC, and former head of the Solar Energy Research Institute's building energy research program, participated with the U.S. League of Saving Associations in the late 1970's to create the first guidelines for home energy ratings. He continued his involvement with the Regional Solar Energy Centers to develop the concept of a home energy rating program in the late 1970's and early 1980's, and was instrumental in developing the DOE/HUD Collaborative Council for Home Energy Ratings, out of which the HERS Council was formed and eventually RESNET. AEC staff has been actively engaged in all aspects of the development of technical standards which define a uniform home energy rating process and benchmark. A key contribution of AEC to the HERS industry has been the development, maintenance and on-going technical support of the REM/Rate™ home energy rating software. The REM/Rate™ software has enabled many HERS Providers to develop and offer comprehensive residential energy efficiency and rating programs to the new and existing residential marketplace.

$2,000 Home Tax Credit with AEC's REM/RATE Software
April 19, 2006

Architectural Energy Corporation's popular REM/Rate™ Home Energy Rating Software has been approved by Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and the Internal Revenue Service for use in qualifying homes for the 2005 EPAct energy-efficient new home $2,000 tax credit. The REM/Rate™ software includes the 2005 EPAct Tax Credit report, indicating whether a home meets the required threshold of using 50% less energy than a home built to meet 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requirements. REM/Rate™ is available to certified HERS raters.

REM/Design™ home energy analysis software, similar to REM/Rate™, is available to anyone. REM/Design™ includes a version of the 2005 EPAct Tax Credit report, suitable for performing preliminary analysis, though only a certified rater can qualify a home for tax credits.