Rater Guide

On This Page:

  • Eligibility Guidance

  • Modeling Guidance

  • Equipment Incentives

  • General Documents

    • Rater Tips

    • Code Documents

Modeling and Software Options

As of 8/1/2019 all energy models must be submitted via Ekotrope. REM users may upload files for submission to the Program via Ekotrope at no cost. See the link below for guidance:

Submitting whole-house incentives via Ekotrope

Contact the Program directly at DERNC@icfprogram.com if you have questions about accessing Ekotrope, or need permission to submit to the Program from your existing Ekotrope account.

Eligibility Guidance

Sampling
No RNC homes may be sampled. The program requires 100% testing of homes.

"Look back ratings"
All RNC homes must be inspected at rough-in and final. More details are available here.

Builder Verified Items
All items in a submitted home energy model must be field verified by a rater in accordance with Section 5.1.4 of ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2014. This includes lighting, appliances, and ceiling insulation.

Modeling guidance

HERO-Only Homes:
Homes that do not meet the HERO infiltration testing targets can meet HERO requirements via the visual inspection pathway. It is expected that homes taking advantage of this option follow the HERO code guidance and complete the visual infiltration checklist as required. Ekotrope will automatically check for visual inspection compliance and indicate compliance in the Quick Results pane.

Deemed Savings Items: 

  • Homes with conditioned or unvented-enclosed crawlspaces will receive 650 kWh of savings in addition to the savings shown in the fuel summary report.

  • ENERGY STAR washers receive 397 kWh of savings in addition to the savings shown in the fuel summary report.

    Rater must verify installation of qualifying washer and model as such in REM/Rate file.
    Note that washer inputs must not be adjusted after selecting "ENERGY STAR" in the modeling software.
    Adjusting inputs may result in homes being processed without the deemed savings.

  • ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats receive 83 kWh of savings in addition to the savings shown in the fuel summary report. Maximum of 3 units per home.

  • Deemed savings values will be displayed in Ekotrope’s Quick Results Pane and are included in the Projected Incentive.

Photovoltaics:
Annual kWh generated by photovoltaic systems is not factored into incentives. Raters may submit energy models with PV systems modeled, however, all associated savings is removed during the savings/incentive calculation process.

Partial Slab Edge Insulation:
A slab without a fully insulated perimeter (e.g. no insulation between main body of home and garage and/or porch) should be modeled as follows: Determine the percentage of slab perimeter that is insulated and the percentage that is uninsulated (linear feet). Model two slabs, one insulated and one uninsulated, with areas divided proportionally according to the perimeter percentages.

E.g - 900 hsft slab; 120' perimeter, with 30' uninsulated (25% uninsulated vs. 75% insulated)

Model 2 slabs: 1 slab with 30' perimeter and 225 sf area (25% of 900); 1 slab with 90' perimeter and 675 sf area (75% of 900)

Equipment incentives

Equipment incentives are submitted in Ekotrope. Check out How to: Submitting equipment-only applications in Ekotrope for step-by-step instructions.

All equipment incentives must be submitted with a matching AHRI certificate and an invoice from the HVAC contractor that lists equipment size and efficiencies (builder purchase orders are not accepted). Prices may be redacted from invoices at the builder's discretion.

Starting for all home submissions on or after May 1st, 2023, homes must be 16+ SEER to qualify for equipment-only incentives.