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• REM/Rate™
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REM/Rate™ Version History

The following Chronology details enhancements to REM/Rate™ starting with newest version.

Note (applies to v11.0 and greater): Upon installation, this software will run for 90 days without printing capabilities. To extend the expiration date and/or activate printing the software must be registered. To register the software you will need to obtain a User ID and Password from the source providing you with the CD or download. The REM/Rate™ registration screen is accessed via the Tools | Web Services menu.

General: 

• Added autofill button for Sealed Attic “Roof Area” input, to autocalc Attic exterior area based on “Ceiling Area”.  Also added Error for values less than Ceiling Area, and Warning for large improbable values.
• GSHP updated to RESNET amendments.
• Export database is now forward compatible.
• Batch Modification – added Sample Set ID and Rater ID.
• ASHP – added an error when the capacity of the 17F heat pump is above that of the 47F capacity.
• Added DOE Challenge Home calculations and reports.
• RESNET Registry Upload -- Changes to meet new requirements:
  • Cannot upload anything except ‘Confirmed’ or ‘Sampled’.
  • Message on Reports in 14pt font at the start.
  • Revision Reason added to upload.
• Simplified Inputs – updated code if an infiltration setting is code default or user input, the verify type is Visual rather than Tested.
• Batch Modification – added modification based on location.>
• Building File Name Field and Building Model Field increased size to 50 characters.

Reports:

• Added a new Reporting Tool and logo selection dialog.
• Provider ID and Sample ID shown in Building File Report for both Provider and Rater.
• IECC Certificate, HERC, & Tax Credit – added sealed attic to the report.
• Added DOE Challenge Report.
• Added NY Labels to Batch.
• Added Richmond Certificate and Label.
• Removed Mailing Labels, Builder’s Challenge, ES V2 Thermal Bypass Checklist, IA HERC and IA HERC Cost, ASHRAE 90.2, Energy Code Compliance.
• Other Minor Repairs:
  • Fixed bug where the exterior attic roof area is set to zero.  This error was missed in v13.0
  • Fixed bug in ESv3.0 slab insulation check, which previously allowed underslab insulation to pass in absence of perimeter insulation.
  • Fixed bug with IECC verification set to Visual Verification.
  • Fixed bug with RESNET Upload and the Sample Set ID.  It takes Alpha-numerics.
  • Fixed slab perimeter insulation checks for ES v3.0

Enhancements in REM/Rate™ v13.0 include:

• Added ability to create sampled building set from one building file and a list of addresses.
• Added RESNET Amendment for demand hot water heater efficiency adjustment.
• Added State Energy Codes for Illinois and North Carolina.
• Added "Sealed Attics" to Ceiling Types.
• Added PV consumption to the Fuel Summary Report.
• Added Above Grade Shell Area to Quick Analysis.
• Added ENERGY STAR v3.0 Certificate.
• Added Drain Water Heat Recovery (Canadian Version only).
• Added routine to determine the energy factor of a water heater in UDRH based on volume.
• Other Minor Repairs:
  • Multifamily buildings with ceiling fans and dishwashers consumption too high.
  • RESNET Registry upload issues with non-alphanumeric characters.
  • NV Energy Plus Fuel Summary report bug in batch mode.
  • Building File report not showing correct ceiling types.

Enhancements in REM/Rate™ v12.99 include:

• Reset button for RESNET defaults in Lights and Appliances Summary Screen.
• Preset selections for the Clothes Washer inputs.
• Allowing Rating Type "Confirmed Rating" as well as "Confirmed" to be uploaded to RESNET Registry.
• Other Minor Repairs:
  • Improvement Analysis bug showing 0 savings for duct leakage measures.
  • Old defaults for Clothes Washer Annual Gas Cost set correctly to 23 if previously had 32 from wrong setting in earlier versions.
  • NV Energy Plus report showing different HERS Index than standard HERS Index.
  • Setting RESNET Defaults for Lights and Appliances for ENERGY STAR v3.0 reference home rather than letting them be the same as design home.
  • PSD First Energy Export and Thermostat bugs.
  • Auxiliary Energy not being set correctly in HERS Reference Home for furnaces.
  • The Auxiliary Energy bug fix may cause the HERS Index to shift up one point from v12.98.  The fix for the clothes washer annual gas cost will make the HERS Index come back into line with v12.97.

Enhancements in REM/Rate™ v12.98 include:

• RESNET REGISTRY:
  • Added ability to upload for Providers Only Added Rating Types for Confirmed, Sampled, or Projected Worst Case.
• ENERGY STAR v3.0:
  • Updated ceiling fan inputs and codes.
  • Removed envelope checkbox in Mandatory Requirements screen Updated code for Revision 5.
• LIGHTS AND APPLIANCES:
  • Changed the minimum value for the clothes washer LER to 10.
  • Corrected washer and dryer values in calculations.
  • Changed default dryer efficiency to gas value when gas is selected.
• Added Duct Leakage Measure to Batch File Modification.
• Added Duct Leakage Test Exemption for Duct Leakage to Outside.
• HERS Labels – can be printed on both Avery 5168 and 8165.
• UDRH - Updated to accommodate new Lights & Appliances inputs
• Other Minor Repairs:
  • Fixed a bug in the dishwasher energy factor Fixed a bug when a home contains a conditioned crawlspace with adiabatic foundation walls for ESv2.5 and v3.0. reference home.  This caused an error in the ESv2.5 and ESv3.0 reference home.
  • Fixed a bug in multifamily buildings that actually produced negative internal gains.
  • Fixed a problem in Lights and Appliances Audit tab not displaying the associated type correctly when first created.

Enhancements in REM/Rate™ v12.97 include:

• Steel stud wall U-values are now calculated using the ASHRAE Zone method.
• Checkbox added to Mandatory Requirements for ESv3.0 to indicate all insulation levels meet or exceed Table 402.1.1 in 2009 IECC. (Overrides the Table 402.1.3 method used in REM calculations).
• Lights & Appliances screen completely updated for all new RESNET Miscellaneous Electric Loads (MELs) calculations.  Audit (“detailed”) inputs moved to another tab on L&A screen.
• Photovoltaic screen now allows for multiple arrays facing different directions. 
• Energy Star Version 3.0 Home Report, Summary, Certificate, and Label added. 
• Batch Report now prioritizes showing the filename and truncates the path if necessary, rather than vice versa. 
• New Home EEM report added to replace the Fannie Mae New Home Report. 
• Added NY Compliance Labels. 
• Total Duct Leakage added to appropriate reports. 
• ENERGY STAR logo back on the ENERGY STAR report headers. 
• HERC and HERS Label – added the Registry ID. 
• Updated to accommodate new Lights & Appliances inputs into UDRH.
• Other Minor Repairs:
  • Fixed bug affecting ENERGY STAR version 2.0 Reference Home HERS Index in climate zones 6A and 7A.
  • Fixed bug that passed ESv2.5 without measured duct leakage or measured infiltration.
  • Fixed bug which incorrectly calculated internal gains for ceiling fans.
  • Quick Analysis Printed Report was missing IECC 2012.
  • Home Performance Report – Fixed the title spacing.
  • Fixed UDRH infiltration to allow no changes to units or shelter class. 

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™  v12.96 include:

• Added 2012 IECC Compliance Reports.
• Added Total Duct Leakage to the duct screen and reformatted the screen.
• NY IECC – removed the Energy Star Logo and the logic for code.
• Other minor repairs:
  • Fixed the problem with the registration not sticking when REM expires.
  • Fixed a bug where adiabatic rims were being added to UA for Walls in the UA reports.
  • Corrected Aux energy for cooling.
  • IECC Certificate – Border was being overwritten and offsets were not working - both fixed.
  • Fixed spacing issues in the Air Leakage Report when using a logo.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™  v12.94 include:

• New Fannie Mae EIM Report in Improvement Analysis - Fannie Mae New Homes Report removed as requested by Fannie Mae and RESNET.
• Full RESNET Home Energy Rating Label available in full - this can be printed on a standard blank Avery label.
• HERC energy savings are calculated based off a Typical Existing Home with a HERS 130.
• The HERC Performance Report now has a customizable title in the Tools->Options->HERC section.  This serves as a Home Energy Rating Certificate.
• REM exports all building data and the REM building file to the RESNET National Registry Database.
• Added clay or cement tile roofing and sub-tile ventilation to the roofing inputs.
• Other minor repairs:
  • REM shows ENERGY STAR v3.0 Reference Home correctly in all energy analysis reports and export.
  • Duct leakage calculations for multiple duct systems with CFM25/CFA setting have been corrected.
  • Corrected HERS Index score without PV for ENERGY STAR v2.5 and v3.0 certification.
  • Corrected the basement wall U-value for IECC Reference Homes in Climate Zone 3.
  • Corrected the UA calculations for basement and crawlspace walls when the foundation type is "More than one Type".

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™  v12.93 include:

• ENERGY STAR Version 2.5 Upgrades
  • Duct leakage is checked for each system
  • Windows and Skylights removed from the envelope UA calculation
  • Added a field for conditioned floor area served for each duct system
  • Added ESv2.5 Labels in reports and batch mode
• RESNET Building Registry upload capability (Provider Only)

• Rater allowed to set Provider ID
• Allow credit for adjacent shading for IECC and HERS Ratings
• EEM Discount rate set to 4.77%

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™  v12.91 include:

• ENERGY STAR Version 2.5 Upgrades
  • Basement exclusion – ENERGY STAR Rev 2 Guidelines
  • ENERGY STAR v2.5 Reference Design Home attic correction
  • Duct leakage corrections
  • End-Use results corrected

• Uploading to RESNET Building Registry (Beta Version)
• NYS Energy Code now reflects the 2009 IECC
• Quick Analysis printing error fixed
• UDRH issues with ASHP and Performance Adjustment corrected

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.9 include:

• ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 Guidelines
• Mandatory Requirements Screen for ESv3, ESv2, and IECC
• EPA Indoor airPlus Certificate and Label
• Full Building XML Import
• Export of ENERGY STAR V2 and V2.5
• Added Shelter Class to Infiltration Inputs
• Added pump and fan fields for heat pumps in heating and cooling libraries
• Batch file modification additions

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.84 include:

• Repaired the building file association. Clicking on REM building files will use the latest version of REM Software.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.8 include:

• Utility Bill Disaggregation and Weather Normalization
• Added Lights and Appliances to Simplified Inputs
• Improved sizing calculations for air source heat pumps
• Added new GSHP auxiliary energy requirements
• New docked Quick Analysis showing colors on changes
• Reset menu layout command to return undocked window panes to default settings
• UDRH command to calculate same window area as the HERS Reference Home
• Ability to specify thermal boundary for unconditioned basements and crawlspaces

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.7 include:

• 2009 IECC Reports and Certificate
• Federal Rate for EEM is now 5.01%
• Fannie Mae using only HERS Reference Home as baseline
• New Home Performance HERC Report
• Automatic ASHRAE 62.2 Ventilation Calculation in UDRH

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.6 include:

• Added Home Energy Rating Labels
• Added DOE Builders Challenge Certification report
• New Home Owner's Retro-FIT report in Improvement Analysis
• Updated emissions to EPA eGRID 2006 data
• Energy Code for New York updated to 2007 version
• Oklahoma Tax Credit reference home set to 2004 IECC
• HERS Indices can be negative for net power producing homes
• New data fields for builder and rating organization information

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.5 include:

• Implemented RESNET^® Mechanical Ventilation interpretation
• Implemented RESNET^® F-factor amendment
• Library control with Cut, Copy, Paste, and Sort
• Buildings load with temporary libraries that are discarded or saved when building is closed
• Added 2006 IECC Compliance Certificate and Label
• Added HERS Emissions to export database
• Added ENERGY STAR^® Compliance and Improvement report
• Added winter and summer demand to the Fuel Summary report
• Other minor enhancements and repairs:
  • Added Evacuated Tube solar collectors
  • Allow mouse wheel scrolling in report preview
  • New error dialog box, separate from report previewer

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.4 include:

• Added 2006 IECC Compliance Certificate
• Updated EPA ENERGY STAR^® Thermal Bypass Checklist
• Export Database can now be directed to SQL database
• Other minor enhancements and repairs:
  • Modified 2005 EPAct Tax Credit Report language
  • Version number reported when opening older building files
  • Mechanical ventilation rate checked per ASRHAE 62.2
  • Repaired ASHRAE Standard 152 default fan flow
  • Repaired several UDRH script commands
  • Repaired title bar problem
  • Corrected Wrightsoft RSR import issues

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.3 include:

• Revised HERS rating star scale
• Ability to import data from Wrightsoft's Right-Suite Residential, including Right-J, Manual J sizing software
• A new report for Oklahoma energy-efficient new home tax credit
• Added federal tax credit status to Quick Report
• Other minor enhancements and repairs:
  • Updated ENERGY STAR^® thermal bypass report
  • Toggle for 2006 IECC duct insulation requirements
  • Toggle to review proposed revised federal tax credit method
  • Account for excess latent capacity in cooling sizing warning
  • Check boxes added to lighting appliance screen
  • Revised ASHRAE Standard 152 input screen per RESNET^®
  • Updated ECC of Southern Nevada to 2006 IECC
  • Assign duct systems to end-use(s) indicated by user
  • Added radiant barriers to Batch File Modification
  • Added ASHRAE Standard 152 Pressure Buffer and Plenum Pressure, to Batch File Modification

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.2 include:

• Accredited by RESNET^®/IRS for use in qualifying homes for the energy efficient new home tax credit per 2005 EPAct
• Inclusion of latest interpretation from RESNET^® regarding infiltration shielding class. This modification affects the HERS Index
• Other minor enhancements and repairs:
  • ENERGY STAR^® report editorial changes
  • Fannie Mae report accessible to raters
  • Removed "Draft" from HERC when no duct systems
  • Set simplified lighting/appliance defaults when updating old building files with detailed lighting/appliance audits
  • Include HERS Index on ENERGY STAR^® certificate when toggled on

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.1 include:

• Finalized Tax Credit Report for new homes per Energy Policy Act of 2005
• 2006 IECC compliance reports
• Inclusion of latest interpretations and clarifications from RESNET^®
• New menus which are more intuitive and easier to navigate
• Additional requirements and Thermal Bypass Checklist in support of the 2006 EPA Energy STAR^® Home program
• Lights and appliances added to the Batch File Modification feature
• And many other minor enhancements and repairs

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v12.0 include:

• All changes required under the 2006 RESNET^® HERS Standards:
  • New HERS Index replaces score
  • New Reference Home definition
  • Includes lighting and appliances in HERS Index
  • Adjusting A/C and heat pump systems for climate/oversizing
  • New insulation inspection grade input

• The 2006 EPA Energy STAR^® Home requirements
• A Tax Credit Report per DOE's draft interim rule regarding the Energy Policy Act of 2005 credits for new homes
• A new spreadsheet data entry form that allows users to enter and store tabular and calculated data of their choosing
• A data entry form for the RESNET^® Disclosure information, so it can be saved electronically with the building file
• Batch file modification has been augmented to include infiltration, duct leakage, programmable thermostats, and builder's address
• New duct system input scheme, including new leakage types: ASHRAE Standard 152, % fan flow, and cfm25/sf
• Logos can now be added to nearly all reports
• And many other minor enhancements and repairs

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v11.4 include:

• IECC 2004 compliance reports have been added
• Data can now be imported from Elite's RHVAC Manual J equipment sizing software
• The Quick Analysis screen now includes surface area and code compliance summaries
• ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standards have been added to Air Leakage Report
• The notes dialog is now sizable and can be toggled to always appear at program startup
• Electric resistance backup capacity has been added as input for heat pumps
• SIP and ICF construction have been added to the above-grade wall library
• New capability for managing printing permissions has been added - providers can now set permissions for individual raters
• A locking scheme was added to the component libraries, allowing them, for the first time, to be fully shared on a central server

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v11.31 include:

• New online help system runs much faster
• Utility rates added to batch file modification feature
• Worst-case orientation feature added to toolbar for faster access

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v11.3 include:

• New feature that automatically determines the worst case window/skylight orientation.
• A new report, the RESNET^® Standard Disclosure, has been added.
• More options for specifying the cost of foundation wall improvement measures.
• Reorganized Building File Report.
• Above-grade wall screen now has multi-select capability.
• Enhanced software registration screen and expiration warnings.
• Additional language on performance-based code compliance reports indicating percentage by which home surpasses code.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v11.2 include:

• The new Batch File Modification feature replaces a library component or components in a group of buildings and saves the buildings to a different location than the original files
• Code compliance reports have been added for the 2003 IECC - for both Uo and performance-based approaches.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v11.1 include:

• Window shading inputs have been expanded to explicitly address overhangs, interior blinds/shades, and shading from adjacent objects (e.g., trees).
• The ability to model energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) has been added. The mechanical ventilation inputs are aligned with the information available from Home Ventilation Institute (HVI) test data and directories.
• Code compliance reports have been added for the 2001 IECC - for both Uo and performance-based approaches.
• A new report, the Air Leakage Report, summarizes the infiltration, duct leakage and mechanical ventilation inputs in a new and useful way.
• The Emissions Report was added to report the absolute CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions for the home.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v11.0 include:

• New registration requirement: Contact the party from which you received this CD to obtain a username and password for registration.
• New Printing Permissions allows HERS Providers to define which reports their sub-licensees can print.
• New Fannie Mae Energy Efficient Mortgage form that corresponds to Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriting system.
• New mechanism for generating the new Fannie Mae EEM report, starting from an improved design, and selecting a baseline from which energy cost savings are automatically calculated.
• New Builder Affidavit report - provides a signature line for the builder to attest that the home has been built per the details in the Building File Report.
• New Energy Code Inspection Checklist report - designed for use by code officials inspecting the home for energy code compliance.
• Report margins can be adjusted to aid in alignment for binding.
• A new button that allows all windows to be rotated at once, helping the user determine the worst case scenario.
• A new button that calculates default duct area.
• A note field has been added to all library element input screens
• Radiant barrier added to list of improvements available in Improvement Analysis.
• Mobile home skirting added to list of available crawlspace wall constructions.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v10.3 include:

• Capability has been added to model grid-connected photovoltaic systems.
• The error and warning messages have been revised to provide more specific direction on how to find and address data input problems.
• A printing offset setting is now available for the Energy STAR^® Label, ensuring text is correctly aligned on the preprinted labels.
• A new Building Name input field has been added allowing the user to provide a name, different from the file name, which can be used to identify the building. The Building Name field is printed on all output reports.
• Numerous home features have been added to the lists highlighting the performance characteristics of the home, including duct leakage, duct location, programmable thermostats, radiant barriers, and desuperheaters.
• Heating degree-days and cooling degree-hours have been added to the Model Energy Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and ASHRAE Standard 90.2 compliance reports as appropriate.
• A new Work Order Report is available for use by those involved in weatherization and other retrofit programs. The report is generated automatically in conjunction with the Improvement Analysis Report and lists the recommended measures in a format suitable for use by a field crew implementing them.
• Column widths in the component lists are now preserved from session to session.
• Quick Report data can be sent to a comma-separated variable text file, complete with data labels, for use in other applications.
• Data presented on the Batch Report is also written to a comma-separated variable text file for importing to spreadsheets, etc.
• The User-Defined Reference Home analysis can now be run in batch mode.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v10.2 include:

• Capability has been added making it easier to model mobile homes, including new input screens for ceiling and floor libraries that reflect construction techniques unique to these types of homes.
• Capability to print the newly released Energy STAR^® Home labels and certificates.
• A new report, the Energy STAR^® Checklist, which is generated uniquely for each home, provides guidance to raters during the onsite inspection process.
• Users can now input auxiliary electric consumption for gas furnaces and boilers.
• New features have been added to help organizations manage the component libraries, including the ability to use a single library set located on a central server, and to restrict editing of libraries or library entries.
• The duct leakage improvement measure has been expanded to handle qualitative assessment of duct leakage.
• The default framing factors for walls, ceiling and floors have been updated to reflect the findings of current research.
• A quantity of like mechanical systems can be specified, greatly improving the capability to model large multi-family buildings.
• A small change to the library access interface makes adding and selecting new entries a snap.
• Mailing labels can now be printed directly from REM/Rate™.

Enhancements in  REM/Rate™ v10.1 include:

• An improved home energy rating certificate (HERC).
• Additional report formats added to Improvement Analysis.
• New lighting and appliance inputs: quantity, efficiency level.

Enhancements in REM/Rate™ v10.0 include:

• The greatest change for v10.0 is the migration from a 16-bit application developed using Borland C++ to a 32-bit application developed in Microsoft Visual C++. You'll notice a different overall appearance of the application, the use of toolbars, acceptance of long filenames, and greater speed.
• REM/Rate™ v10.0 will run on computers with Windows 95, 98, NT, and 2000.
• Instead of separate heating, cooling and hot water system lists, there is now a single list. User's no longer need to enter integrated heating/cooling or heating/hot water systems in two places.
• Air-source heat pump and integrated space/water heating system libraries have been added.
• Lighting and appliance section overhauled. A detailed audit of all lights and appliances can be performed, or default values can be used.
• A toolbar has been added for quick access to the most commonly used feature.
• Interfacing with the libraries is now easier than ever. A single screen displays both the list of library elements and the details of the selected element. A new button provided on every input screen makes access to the library quick and easy.
• To aid in using the newly adopted Fannie Mae EEM guidelines, the Energy Efficient Mortgage Underwriting Adjustment Report has been added to the Improvement Analysis procedure.
• New HTML-based help system with search capability.

More Information

Version History

System Requirements and FAQ

Training