RESTalk

"Build-to-rent isn't just about providing a place to live; it's about crafting communities where flexibility and convenience meet modern living standards." In this episode of the RESTalk podcast, host Bill Spohn welcomed returning guest Laurel Elam and new participant Thomas Cochran. The discussion primarily centered on the burgeoning trend of build-to-rent (BTR) housing. Thomas, who serves as the...

"Advocacy is the mirror reflecting the voices of the community into the corridors of power." - Unknown In today's podcast we cover the topic of advocacy and public policy in the context of the residential energy sector learning from our guests Robert Pegues, General Manager of Technical Delivery at US Ecologic, and RESNET board member, and Carl Chidlow, a lobbyist representing RESNET. Robert share...

"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it." - Estée Lauder   We welcome Sharla Riead, Lead Instructor at Energy Smart Institute and Emelie Cuppernell Glitch, VP Programs at Performance Systems Development to focusing on the recognition of women in the HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating industry. Sharla shares her extensive background, beginning with founding an energy auditing company i...

The best way to predict your future is to create it. - Abraham Lincoln   Data is king, they say. How can the RESNET Quality Assurance (QA) app's data insights revolutionize how we rate energy-efficient homes?   Imagine a world where getting your home energy rating was made easier by using a smartphone app. Is that the future the RESNET QA app promises?   Our trio of guests, Quality Assurance Desig...

Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative, leaders change things. - Jesse Jackson   The advent of a new year naturally brings broader thinking, more introspection, and the creation of future goals. What future goal has RESNET's board recently adopted? What near-term initiatives create the path to that goal? How confident is RESNET in meeting that goal? What is "embodi...

That's the funny thing about time. It is only in looking back that it's easy to connect the dots.  To see exactly why everything needed to happen the way that it did. - Rebecca Serle   11 episodes, 11 topics, 17 different guests and over 5 hours of RES-Talking in 2023! We covered a lot of ground in the RESTalk podcast in 2023, now going into our 6th year of episodes. We hope we stimulated your thi...

Whatever good things we build end up building us. -Jim Rohn   In today's episode we chat with Michael Lee coordinator of the Construction Technology Program at Texarkana College in Texarkana, TX.   We learn of his back story which led him to this role. He thoughtfully describes the approach he has taken to build the construction technology department at Texarkana College.   Michael describes the s...

Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress; working together is success. -Edward Everett Hale   On today's podcast we welcome Clara Hedrick and Emma Bennett to give us up to date and inside information about the Upcoming RESNET conference: Nov 15-17, 2023 in San Diego, CA. Since the last face to face conference was in 2020, and after virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022, Emma sha...

Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It's about doing more good.   -Jochen Zeitz   In this episode of the RESTalk podcast we are joined by Robert Broad, Senior Vice President of Development at AMH (NYSE: AMH), where he oversees new home and community development operations - including land acquisition, land development, purchasing, product development, and construction.   Robert shar...

Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It is a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance.   -Ban Ki-moon   ESG has become an integral factor in the financial world. The Structured Finance Association estimates that $11.6 trillion, or $1 of every $4 invested in the United States, was inv...

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing." -Albert Schweitzer   Habitat for Humanity's mission is to help families build and improve places to call home. In the process developing strong and stable communities with affordable housing. Often household utility costs make affordability a challenge. What factors need to fall into place to address this challenge of aff...

"The trend is your friend." -Mark Zweig    With Texas as the leading state in new home starts, we can expect some housing trends first to arise there. Why was House Bill 3215 developed and enacted in Texas? What entities and organizations participated in developing the language in the bill? How will this impact the HERS industry in Texas and elsewhere?   Joining us on today's podcast is Ned Munoz,...

"Data is the most valuable asset in the world." - Brittany Kaiser    Housing trends have significant importance to the RESNET community. In addition to tracking progress with RESNET HERS Ratings, the hundreds of data points collected on each home provide insights into the trends in energy efficiency, component selection and electrification.  What are some of the latest trends in HERS Rated homes?...

"Doing your best in this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." -Oprah Winfrey    A critical element in the decarbonization of homes is the embodied carbon produced in the construction of homes. As the current RESNET Carbon Index® only covers the carbon produced due to energy used in a home, what do we do next? What type of standards exists to perform this assessment? What are the...

"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." -Warren Bennis    What are some of the qualities embodied in outstanding board leaders? Someone who has experience in business leadership roles.  A person that has a proven track record in developing and executing strategy. Someone who demonstrates a forward-thinking mentality.   In today's podcast, we are joined by two outstanding boa...

"The big picture doesn't just come from distance; it also comes from time." -Simon Sinek   Climate change is becoming an increasing concern.  The private sector, individuals as well as state, local and federal governments are seeking to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  As the energy used in all buildings, including homes, is cited as a major contributor to greenhouse ga...

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual. -Vince Lombardi   Strong organizations fulfill their mission by periodically reflecting on their goals and priorities. RESNET is no exception having adopted their 2023 Mission, Goals and Priorities by vote of the Board of Directors on October 7, 2022. How are the goals crafted that align with and fulfil...

Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful. - Margaret J. Wheatley   23 episodes, 23 topics and 34 different guests. We covered a lot of ground in the RESTalk podcast in 2022, now going into our 5 th year of episodes. (Over 12 hours of conversations about the world of RESNET!) We hope we stimulated your thinking and m...

I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything.  So, if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening.   Larry King Change is a constant.   Gathering feedback, reviewing changes and trends and acting upon the results is critical to maintaining a successful business, organization or system.   As we look back on 2022, and look froward into the coming years, what type of...

Those that educate the market, own the market. Emily Mottram We've all heard of advanced housing concepts that require little net energy to operate.   Architects, builders, and suppliers in the residential construction industry often get together at conferences and locally and sometimes birth new concepts while challenging others.   What kind of ideas develop when you ignite their passions, crowd...

The only source of knowledge is experience. Albert Einstein     The message is clear, HVAC equipment is often the largest energy-consuming system in a home.   While listeners likely know about blower door and duct leakage tests, what impact do blower Watt draw and refrigerant charge on HVAC energy use?   What can we learn from an HVAC expert with so much experience? Today's podcast continues down...

Passion provides purpose, but data drives decisions Andy Dunn   What does CO2e mean?   What are the impacts of time and location on energy use and production?   How and why are we morphing from energy as a proxy for emissions?      We are joined on today's podcast by David Goldstein, Energy Co-Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and John Taylor, Deputy Director of The Consorti...

We must shift our thinking away from short term gain toward long-term investment and sustainability, and always have the next generations in mind with every decision we make.. Deb Haaland What does it take to start a conversation on smaller homes in a community that traditionally bans them?   How can we collaborate to move the conversations to reality?   What can be learned when a real world proje...

Simplicity is the outcome of technical subtlety. It is the goal, not the starting point. Maurice Saatchi It's worth repeating that HVAC equipment is often the largest energy-consuming system in a home.   While listeners have likely run duct leakage and blower airflow tests, how did we arrive at the straightforward, almost simple test equipment and methods used today?   What is the science behind t...

"Once something is a passion, the motivation is there." Michael Schumacher The Cross-Border Challenge is an annual event sponsored by RESNET and the Canadian Residential Energy Services Network (CRESNET) to recognize U.S. and Canadian builders who are pioneering the path to high-energy performance homes. CRESNET is RESNET's sister organization in Canada.   What are the key qualities embodied in th...