Objective:  After watching your submitted video, the viewer will have a clearer understanding of the day to day tasks and activities conducted by a HERS® Rater or Rating Company.

The target audience for this video will be students hoping to learn more about the Rating industry and/or professionals thinking about joining the Rating industry.  The video should have a recruitment focus for the industry as a whole, not for a single company, but do feel free to tailor the video to your company’s business model.

Standard(s) Referenced:  N/A

Required Scope:  The nature of this video requires that the scope be somewhat broad, but some areas you could focus on are below.

• What does an average day look like for a Rater?
• What are you doing in the field during inspections?
• What are you doing in the office?
• What does your QA look like and why is it important to the industry?
• What types of training / certifications do you need?
• How long does it take to become a Rater?
• What types of skills do you need to be a Rater?
  • Focus on both hard and soft skills
• What do you like about being a Rater?

These are by no means the only things you could focus on, just some examples, feel free to think of more!

Additional Information:  We want these videos to be fun!  A unique presentation of the information (i.e. music video / game show / soap opera / etc.) is encouraged, as long as you are able to tie your video to the overall objective of producing a recruitment focused video.

Objective:  After watching your submitted video, the viewer will have a clearer understanding of the value of a HERS® Rated Home and why they should be getting one on their new or existing home.

We are looking for videos focused on two unique perspectives to this question, the homeowner and the builder.  Only focus on one of these perspectives per submission, if you wish to submit a video for both you are able to.

The target audience from the homeowner perspective is a future homeowner of a new or existing home, and should explain why they should be asking for a HERS® Rating with their home purchase.

The target audience from the builder perspective is a builder, regardless of size, and should explain the value that a HERS® Rating can bring to their product and help differentiate them in the marketplace.

Standard(s) Referenced:  N/A

Required Scope:  The nature of this video requires that the scope be somewhat broad, but some areas you could focus on are below.

• What is a HERS® Rating?
• Why is it important for your home to be tested?
• What value does a HERS® Rating bring to your home?
• What makes a HERS® Rating different from other compliance paths available?
• What types of benefits other than energy efficiency can you expect from a HERS® Rated Home?

These are by no means the only things you could focus on, just some examples, feel free to think of more!

Additional Information:  These videos should have a marketing focus to one of the target audiences listed above. The video educating prospective home buyers on the value of HERS-Rated homes should explain the value of the HERS® rating in layman’s terms. The video for builders can use more building science language, but still have a marketing angle that speaks to the value proposition for their buyer.

Procedure for Mechanical Ventilation Testing: – 2 minutes

Objective:  After watching your submitted video, the viewer will have a firm grasp of the steps and tasks involved to correctly test/measure an identified Mechanical Ventilation System per the standards at an identified testing location using an approved equipment type.

The target audience for this video will be industry internal, including newer Raters or RFIs, or experienced Raters that might just need a refresher on the process.

We are looking for different videos focused on the different ventilation types and equipment approved by the standards.  For instance, a single video focused on how to correctly test/measure a bathroom exhaust fan (inlet terminal) using an exhaust fan flow meter (Airflow Resistance Device w/ Manometer).  Only focus on one test location / equipment type per submission.  You can submit multiple videos for different testing scenarios.

Standard(s) Referenced:  RESNET/ANSI 380-2019 Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4

Required Scope:  Your submitted video should clearly cover the following tasks:

• All steps required to correctly and fully prepare an identified Mechanical Ventilation System for testing per the standards.
• If required, explain the various exceptions and different circumstances called out specifically in the standards (including informative notes) that would alter the standard preparation procedure for the identified Mechanical Ventilation System.
• The procedure per the standards (including informative notes) to correctly and accurately test/measure an identified Mechanical Ventilation System using an identified approved equipment type.
• If required, explain the various exceptions and different circumstances called out specifically in the standards (including informative notes) that would alter the standard testing procedure for the identified testing scenario in your video.
• Provide tips / guidance on how to troubleshoot any potential issues that might arise for the identified testing scenario in your video.

Additional Information:  The goal of these videos is to help people understand and make sense of the standards, so your video should make an effort to explain the mechanical ventilation systems, testing locations, and testing equipment identified in your video in both standard language and their commonly used names.  For instance, a bathroom exhaust fan in the standards is known as an Inlet Terminal.  Your video should not make reference to types of testing equipment not approved for use by the standards.

Objective:  After watching your submitted video, the viewer will have a firm grasp of all of the steps and tasks involved to correctly conduct a Single Family Airtightness Test using an identified testing method called out in the standards.

The target audience for this video will be industry internal, including newer Raters or RFIs, or experienced Raters that might just need a refresher on the process.

We are looking for different videos focused on the four different Single Family Airtightness Testing methods approved by the standards.

• Single Family One Point Airtightness Pressurization Test
• Single Family One Point Airtightness Depressurization Test
• Single Family Multi Point Airtightness Pressurization Test
• Single Family Multi Point Airtightness Depressurization Test

For instance, a single video focused on how to correctly conduct a Single Family One Point Airtightness Test using the depressurization method.  Only focus on one testing method type per submission.  You can submit multiple videos for different testing scenarios.

Standard(s) Referenced:  RESNET/ANSI 380-2019 Sections 4.3.1, 4.4.1, 4.4.2 & 4.5

Required Scope:  Your submitted video should clearly cover the following tasks:

• How to correctly set up per the standards (including informative notes) the following equipment for the identified Airtightness Testing method for detached Dwelling Units (4.3.1)
  • Blower Door
  • Reference Tubes
• How to correctly conduct the identified Airtightness Testing method, detailing the correct set up of the following equipment and procedures for the identified Airtightness Testing method. (4.4.1 & 4.4.2)
  • Air Moving Fan
  • Manometer
• For Single Family One Point Airtightness videos only: How to correctly react per the standards (including informative notes) if a 50 Pa (0.2 in. H2O) induced enclosure pressure difference is not achieved (4.4.1)
• For Single Family Multi Point Airtightness videos only: How to correctly react per the standards (including informative notes) if a 25 Pa (0.1 in. H2O) highest induced enclosure pressure difference is not achieved (4.4.2)
• For Single Family One Point Airtightness videos only: How to correctly apply the results per the standards (including informative notes) from a One-Point Airtightness Test (4.5)
• For Single Family Multi Point Airtightness videos only: How to correctly apply the results per the standards (including informative notes) from a Multi-Point Airtightness Test and one example of a typical software or manual calculation to calculate the corrected airflow (Q) from the Multi-Point Airtightness Test (4.5 & 4.4.2)

Additional Information:  The goal of these videos is to help people understand and make sense of the standards, so your video should make an effort to explain the Airtightness testing procedures locations and testing equipment identified in your video in both standard language and their commonly used names.  For instance, an Airtightness test in the standards is known as a Blower Door Test.  We ask however that you not specifically call out brand specific issues. Your video should not make reference to types of testing equipment not approved for use by the standards.

Objective:  After watching your submitted video, the viewer will have a firm grasp of all of the steps and tasks involved to correctly prepare a Dwelling Unit for and conduct Duct Leakage Testing using an identified testing method called out in the standards.

The target audience for this video will be industry internal, including newer Raters or RFIs, or experienced Raters that might just need a refresher on the process.

We are looking for different videos focused on the four different Duct Leakage Testing methods approved by the standards.

• Total Duct Leakage (TDL) Pressurization Test
• Total Duct Leakage (TDL) Depressurization Test
• Duct Leakage to Outside (LTO) Pressurization Test
• Duct Leakage to Outside (LTO) Depressurization Test

For instance, a single video focused on how to correctly prepare a Dwelling Unit for and conduct a Duct Leakage to Outside (LTO) Depressurization Test.  Only focus on one testing method type per submission.  You can submit multiple videos for different testing scenarios.

Standard(s) Referenced:  RESNET/ANSI 380-2019 Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 & 5.5

Required Scope:  Your submitted video should clearly cover the following tasks:

• The steps required to correctly and fully prepare a Dwelling Unit’s Duct System for testing using the identified testing method. (5.2)
• Explain the various exceptions and different circumstances called out specifically in the standards (including informative notes) that would alter the standard preparation procedure. (5.2)
• How to correctly set up per the standards (including informative notes) the following equipment for an identified Duct Leakage testing method, showing both Installation Methods 1 & 2 (5.1 & 5.3)
  • Duct Leakage Tester
  • Blower Door
  • Static Pressure Probes
  • Manometer
  • Tubes
• How to correctly baseline the equipment and conduct the identified Duct Leakage testing method (5.4)
• How to correctly react if an induced duct system pressure difference (Total) or an induced enclosure pressure difference (Outside) of 25 Pa (0.1 in. H2O) is not achieved (5.4)
• How to correctly apply the results per the standards (including informative notes) from the Duct Leakage Tests (5.5)
• Provide tips / guidance on how to troubleshoot any potential issues that might arise for each of the testing methods required for this video.

Additional Information:  The goal of these videos is to help people understand and make sense of the standards, so your video should make an effort to explain the Duct Leakage testing locations and testing equipment identified in your video in both standard language and their commonly used names.  For instance, a Duct Blaster in the standards is known as a Duct Leakage Tester. We ask however that you not specifically call out brand specific issues. Your video should not make reference to types of testing equipment not approved for use by the standards.

Objective:  After watching your submitted video, the viewer will have a clear understanding of how to conduct a Rough / Pre-Drywall Inspection of a Single Family Dwelling.

The target audience for this video will be industry internal, including newer Raters or RFIs, or experienced Raters that might just need a refresher on the process.

Standard(s) Referenced:  RESNET/ANSI 301-2019 Appendix B

Required Scope:  While much of the actual inspection criteria is laid out in RESNET/ANSI 301-2019 Appendix B, we are also looking for this video to include items like the below:

• Walkthrough of the Rough Inspection Process
• What Minimum Rated Features are you looking at during this inspection
• What are some useful tips / advice you follow during these inspections
• How are you taking the required photos (positioning / lighting / other considerations)
• What planning considerations do you need to take into account to conduct a Rough Inspection
• What types of tools do you need to conduct a Rough Inspection
• What situations might you encounter that would keep you from completing the Rough Inspection
• How you should address modeling a home where you cannot perform the Rough Inspection
• Place an emphasis on HERS® Index inspection processes, not Energy Star or Code specific processes

These are by no means the only things you could focus on, just some examples, feel free to think of more!

Additional Information:  Your video should cover all of the potential Minimum Rated Features available during a Rough Inspection.  While you may be limited by the available building stock in your market, feel free to use stock imagery or animations to depict Tasks / On-Site Inspection Protocols of Minimum Rated Features not available to you in houses in your marketplace.

Objective:  After watching your submitted video, the viewer will have a firm grasp of the Minimum General Installation, Minimum Specific Application, and Minimum Specific Material Requirements for Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation, as well as all of the steps and tasks involved to correctly apply Insulation Grading to Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation.

The target audience for this video will be industry internal, including newer Raters or RFIs, or experienced Raters that might just need a refresher on the process.

Standard(s) Referenced:  RESNET/ANSI 301-2019 Appendix A Sections A-1.1, A-1.2, A-1.3.3, A-2.1.1.1, A-2.1.2.1, A- 2.1.3 & ASTM C1015-17

Required Scope:  Your submitted video should clearly cover the following tasks:

• The Minimum General Installation Requirements for all insulation types (using Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation as your example) (A-1.1 and ASTM C1015-17)
• The Minimum Specific Application Requirements for all insulation types (using Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation as your example) (A-1.2 and ASTM C1015-17)
• The Minimum Specific Material Requirements for Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation (A-1.3.3 and ASTM C1015-17)
• The correct steps to assess and apply a Grade I to Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation (A-2.1.1.1)
• The correct steps to assess and apply a Grade II to Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation (A-2.1.2.1)
• The correct steps to assess and apply a Grade III to Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation (A-2.1.3)
• Material specific safety considerations to take into account when dealing with Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation (ASTM C1015-17)

Additional Information:  This video’s focus is how to inspect Blown or Sprayed Fibrous Loose Fill Insulation for the minimum requirements called out in the standards and correctly assign Insulation Grading to that material.

This video’s focus should be on standard language for these procedures, not necessarily brand specific issues.