Pre-Conference Sessions

What if there were a simple way to:

Aggregate any numbers of utility customers so that their combined usage and available distributed energy resources could all be cleverly orchestrated and harmonized and, in less than a decade, result in negative energy bills for many of the same customers? and   
Empower customers to invest in their own zero and low-emission generation, energy efficiency and energy storage, in a way that makes it a great investment for all participants, doesn’t burden non-participants, and provides New Orleans with a lower cost, more resilient and greener grid?   

Never happen, you say?   

A local developer proposes to revitalize the iconic, million square-foot Charity Hospital building (est. in 1736, at its current location since 1939, and abandoned since Hurricane Katrina) to create a multi-use civic center and affordable-housing complex, and, by combining these generation, efficiency and storage technologies, produce New Orleans’s first sustainable microgrid.   
This will be enabled by a recently-proposed, utility rate design which allows participants to finance investments for buying and selling electricity, power, and resiliency, thereby permitting them to manage their electricity usage and income accordingly.      
These investments will contribute to a green economy, job-creation, and provide a sustainable model and teaching tool for those working in the green energy fields.    

This presentation explains the concept, provides examples to show how and why it works, and describes ready-to-launch pilot projects for applying the new rates.

All types of attendees are welcome, whether unfamiliar with Ekotrope or already ramped up and using the tool.  The first part of this session will feature a demo and product walkthrough, highlighting both basic functionality and advanced features.  The session will then move to question and answer format to answer users’ questions about the product, and finally end with an interactive discussion about users’ needs and potential product improvements.

Have you ever seen a proposal from an HVAC Contractor or their “Designer” and wondered, “Is this gonna come back to bite me?” Have you ever wanted to cross-check their work, or at least ask the right questions so you know what you’re about to pay for or what you’ll have to test and verify? Join us for an engaging, interactive workshop to learn the fundamentals of HVAC design from a long-standing member of the ASHRAE 62.2 Committee. We’ll explore how proper design and installation are crucial, not just for a lower HERS score, but also for improved comfort, indoor air quality, and building durability. During the workshop, you’ll also hear how thoughtful HVAC design can help a builder earn the ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS new home labels, and you might even get a chance to practice just a moment of math! Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn from years of industry experience in ventilation and heating/cooling design.

The ICC Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner Certification exam contains 50 questions. Once you begin the exam you will have two hours to complete it. The exam is open-book so please be sure to bring a copy of the 2015 IECC.

Please register for this session if you plan on taking the course before taking the exam. Sign up here: www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/RESNET-Special-Admin_2019.pdf

Learn the residential requirements of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) from this in-person class. Participants will be able to take the exam after the morning session on Sunday February 24th.

Log into your attendee registration to add this session https://conference.resnet.us/conference-registration

To register and pay for the exam visit: www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/RESNET-Special-Admin_2019.pdf

Join us for drinks and food provided by NAIMA before the conference kicks off!

This 2-day training includes one day of classroom work with a second day spent in the field demonstrating advanced testing and inspection protocols for the PHIUS+ Passive Building Standard certification program.   Enclosure integrity design strategies
Passive building mechanical/ventilation systems
On-site verification of passive building construction features
Airtightness/blower door testing protocols

The course concludes with an exam. Successfully completing the course and exam qualifies the trainee as a PHIUS+ Rater.

This 2-day training includes one day of classroom work with a second day spent in the field demonstrating advanced testing and inspection protocols for the PHIUS+ Passive Building Standard certification program.   Enclosure integrity design strategies
Passive building mechanical/ventilation systems
On-site verification of passive building construction features
Airtightness/blower door testing protocols

The course concludes with an exam. Successfully completing the course and exam qualifies the trainee as a PHIUS+ Rater.

Come pick your exhibitor badge early and avoid the Monday morning rush!

Which floor plans meet the WaterSense for Homes or Net-Zero Ready requirements for hot water distribution systems? Are there any hot water distribution systems that can deliver hot water to every plumbing fixture and appliance within 15 seconds after opening the tap? Learn how to improve customer satisfaction by improving the water, energy and time efficiency of the hot water systems in your new home designs.

Pivotal's AXIS platform is a cloud-hosted workflow and data management solution specifically designed for the collection, storage, and sharing of energy rating data. AXIS is used by leading energy efficiency program sponsors and utilities such as NEEA, Energy Trust of Oregon, and Arizona Public Service as a program administration, participation, quality assurance, and incentive processing platform for residential new construction programs.  AXIS can also be used by HERS Raters, HERS Providers, and home builders to centralize energy rating and program-specific data. This session will provide an overview of the AXIS platform, integrations between AXIS and other technology solutions serving the energy efficiency market, data sharing functionality specifically serving the real estate and appraisal markets, and a glimpse into the furture of the AXIS platform.

The next generation of HouseRater and REM/Rate: 2019 Preview      In this pre-conference session, you will learn how to streamline ratings and save time by using HouseRater to collect field data, document test results, and send reports directly to your builder clients.  You will also discover the latest in REM/Rate including new features, building science, and code compliance capabilities.  The HouseRater and REM/Rate development teams will demonstrate new and advanced software features that will increase your proficiency and confidence in your ratings.

In this half-day session, you will:

Learn how to streamline ratings using HouseRater.
Understand how to customize reports for builder clients.
Find out about the new features in the latest version of REM/Rate.
Reduce the burden of data entry and repetitive tasks, particularly with multiple files.
Learn about upcoming solutions in HouseRater & REM/Rate.