RESTalk

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards." -Steve Jobs    Events of the last year or so have it made it challenging for organizations to host live events.  Many events, including the RESNET Conference went to a virtual format in 2021. What will the future hold for conferences in 2022? What will upcoming conferences look like?  Will connecting the dot...

"Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man." -Stuart Udall    There's no way around it. Water is essential to life. Water, like energy, is an environmental resource and requires (demands?) more attention from all. In fact, we've talked about water in 4 previous episodes of RESTALK over the last 4 years. How does the EPA WaterSense program address this...

 "Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you'll be able to see farther." - J.P. Morgan      Starting off a career in a new or even a related industry can be challenging as there is so much to learn.   It's not often a newbie gets a chance for "a seat at the table" at an early stage in their career.   What industry perspectives do RESNET's Emerging Leaders in have?     Join us as the 2021 RE...

 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin How important are mortgage loans to the home performance industry?   What could be the impact on single family home buyers if home energy costs were factored into the mortgage payment?   How does this process make energy efficient homes more affordable for families?     Most homeowners have heard of the term PITI – the summa...

"We learned that economic growth and environmental protection can and should go hand in hand." - Christopher Dodd How do the financial investment criteria of ESG- Environmental, Social & Governance – relate to the HERS rating world?   What are FANNIE MAE Single Family Green Mortgage Backed Securities and what makes this program so unique?   How could such a program help to elevate the recognition...

 "The first step is clearly defining what it is you're after, because without knowing that, you'll never get it." - Halle Berry How does a person deeply engaged in the world of home performance handle matters when it comes to building their own home?   When it is "your own" you must strive to see the forest through the trees.   What's it like actually living inside your theories? In this podcast w...

"The details are not the details. They make the design." - Charles Eames Interest in net zero and low carbon homes is sweeping across the country.   What drives customers in some smaller cities to ask for a net zero (plus) home?   How can a small builder achieve these customer desires in a city that limits the options to energy retrofits of homes that are up to a century old? In this podcast we ch...

 "The whole point of collaboration is that you give and take from each other, and that's how you create things that are totally new."   - Virgil Abloh There is a logical tie between energy codes and HERS ratings.   What is the value proposition for HERS rating companies to be involved with ICC?   What qualifications do HERS raters bring to assist code officials?   Laurence Genest (ICC) and Laurel...

 "Conservation is a state of harmony between men and the land."   - Aldo Leopold Many of us reflect on the beauty and awe of nature.   The images of clear skies and clean water are quite powerful.   How did these powerful images put a builder on mission to make a difference, one tree at a time?   Michael Ziman joins us on the podcast to describe the thoughtful research and personal reflection that...

 "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible;  and suddenly you are doing the impossible"   - Francis of Assisi How does the honor of HERS rating the 3 millionth home befall you?   Tim Smith and CR Herro have been on a quiet mission of building relationships, honoring commitments, and executing with excellence.   Steady as they go. That's how it goes.   Join the conversation with CR...

 "Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, that's all who ever have." - Margaret Mead       Winning national housing awards year after year, comes with focused effort.   However, the efforts put forth by Thrive Home Builders are NOT focused on winning awards.   What are the simple concepts that Thrive executes so well that have put them in such a special group a...

 "Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins       Each year RESNET develops their list of priorities to tackle.   A specific four-step process is used which engages both the board and staff.   Where did this process (which started in August 2020) lead to for 2021? How do the essential activities goals and priorities all work together in a cohesive f...

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." -John W. Gardner       Each year a new President of the RESNET board of directors takes the helm.   A President brings their own background and experiences to bear upon the role.   How do decades of experience in building, while documenting millions in construction defects, lead someone to take on a leadership role such as this? John Hensley shares w...

"Leadership is not about the next election, it's about the next generation" -Simon Sinek        2020 was both a notable and challenging year in so many ways.   Beyond everyone learning how to Zoom (and Zoom becoming a verb) the election of 2020 is sure to go down in history.   What impact did the 2020 election have on RESNET's future-oriented mission to make the energy use for all homes transparen...

 "Making the simple complicated is commonplace;  making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. -Charles Mingus        How in the world can you deliver an engaging conference in these pandemic times?   What kind of steps and measures must you take to make it awesomely simple and fun for attendees and exhibitors?   This kind of challenge requires creativity. In todays' podcast...

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." -Andy Warhol    Like so many businesses, activities, and organizations, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented adaptation. In which ways have RESNET Quality Assurance (QA) procedures been adapted and changed this year? What new techniques, methods, and procedures are being used to maintain the QA function? We welc...

 "If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." -Loren Eiseley      Wikipedia defines water as is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance which provides no calories or organic nutrients.   Yet water is vital for all known forms of life.   What role can builders, raters and providers play in the protection of this unique natural resourc...

 "Data is the most valuable asset in the world." -Brittany Kaiser      What does the builder market data tell us about trends in the adoption of HERS ratings? What is the breakdown of companies that are recording ratings? What role do the larger builders play in all of this?     We welcome back Ryan Meres, Program Director at RESNET to share with us some insights into why RESNET believes bigger bu...

"Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival.  The goal of resilience is to thrive." -Jamias Cascio      Governments are struggling to prepare for hazards and other disaster events they face,  Communities cannot sustain in a chronic response mode.   What goes into making a community event disastrous? What planning tools or programs can be used to...

"I think things happen for a reason." -Dave Davies      Changes in consumer buying patterns and preferences are a constant topic in every market, especially housing.   How are the consumer sentiments changing due to disruptive technologies, yet alone the changes brought about in in a world dealing with a pandemic?   What are some of the new areas that building professionals and manufacturers need...

 "We're all working together; that's the secret." -Sam Walton      COVID-19 continues to impact nearly every area of life these days.   What is RESNET is doing to manage the situation?   In summary it involves three things:   Staying patient. Being open to ideas. Maintaining the dialog.     Today we are joined by RESNET leadership: Cardice Gray-Howard, deputy director and Steve Baden, Executive Di...

"To be a carpenter or a builder or a home inspector, you have to have that kind of visual brain where you can sort of imagine something being taken apart." -Nick Petrie      Even before the impact of the pandemic, the housing market was in a challenging time.   The home building industry is certainly complicated in the physical world with all the components, materials and contractors that need to...

"You do the best you can with what's thrown at you, then you try again."   -Mario Andretti     What does the Highway Bill, or HR 2 have to do with builders and raters?   What has happened to the "builders tax credit" over the course of the last few months and what is store as we head towards and through the upcoming presidential election?     Better known as 45L, Section 45L(c)(1)(A) and (B) of th...

"You change your business plan to anticipate and adapt to changes in the marketplace."   -Jon Feltheimer It seems like everyone is talking about change lately spurred in a large part by the global pandemic.   Rolling with the changes, staying on mission, continuing to work towards your vision are no mean feats.   How is the team at RESNET adapting the annual conference to deliver the high-quality...

"Difficulties mastered are opportunities won." -Winston Churchill Disruptive trends exist in every segment of commerce. Residential construction is no exception.    Between changing customer needs and demands, new materials, changing codes, changes in the workforce, and an increased demand for sustainability, all the pieces of the machine are in motion.   Stepping back from the complexity and seei...