Page 8 - CodeWatcher Summer 2017

News & Trends

Florida HBA Sponsors

New Energy Ratings Program

Triconic is partnering with Intertek and administered by Triconic. Additionally, the Certified Ratings
UL to combine energy and water ratings Program can provide third-party quality assurance in real
time. Builders and property owners can choose any number
in a Certified Ratings Program that could or combination of the certificates offered, depending on the
needs of the individual. Andrea Schneiter, the marketing and
give RESNET a run for its money. public relations coordinator for Intertek, said those using
the program can expect it to be cost-effective, efficient and
BY ERIN SCHROEDER
consistent.
HE FLORIDA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION “We have listened to the market and realize that program
has announced their sponsorship of a new Certified participants are looking for a trusted, recognized, and
Ratings Program. The program has partnered with credible service that can scale to new market demands,”
Water Star to combine energy and water ratings Schneiter said.
Tinto a single package for home builders. Schneiter said that there is demand in other states for
FHBA selected Triconic, an independent administrator a program like this. Because Intertek and UL are both
that designs, builds, and operates certification programs, operating on an international scale already, expansion into
to run the new program. Triconic accepts other cities, counties, and states is a very
applications from accredited inspection real possibility.
agencies and individual inspectors who Mike Collignon, executive director and
are in good standing, trains them, and co-founder of Green Builder Coalition,
allows them to issue certifications based says the fact that this program is being
on the needs of their clients. Data for each certification is sponsored by FHBA is significant and that builders have a
submitted to Triconic through their online portal, and the lot of influence in deciding what gets adopted at the state
data is reviewed by Intertek and UL, two world leaders in and local level. “The fact that the home builders association
certification. backs this makes it much more palatable,” says Collignon.
The program uses the same building energy measurement “Instead of it being an adversarial situation, now it’s, ‘Here’s
standard as RESNET’s HERS (ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2014). something we support.’”
Through the Certified Ratings Program, Intertek or UL can Triconic will begin accepting applications from inspection
issue Florida Energy Code certificates at permit and as-built agencies and individual inspectors interested in participating
for paths “R402,” “R405,” and “R406.” They can also provide in the Certified Ratings Program. The program’s first
individual certificates for blower door tests, duct leakage onboard training session will take place on July 26 at FHBA’s
tests, and independent inspections. conference in Kissimmee, Fla., and the program is expected
Water Star certificates are issued from Intertek or UL to launch by the end of July. Click here for more information
using existing Water Star procedures that will now be on the program. CW

8 CodeWatcher / Summer 2017 www.codewatcher.us