QUOTES FROM STEVE:

"The challenge isn't how far we can push efficiency—but how affordable we can make it."

"Give builders a clear target and the market will respond."

"It's been a hell of a ride—thanks for the memories. Now it's your turn to take it to the next level."

Steve Baden tells the story of RESNET®'s early days—from Alaska's energy-code back-and-forth to a market-based framework that encouraged builders with targets rather than rules. That experiment birthed home energy ratings, a national standard, and eventually RESNET® itself—formed with the Mortgage Bankers Association and state energy offices to create a uniform "MPG for homes." The payoff: 4.8 million HERS®-rated homes to date and 420k+ in the last year, with large production builders using the RESNET® HERS® score to compete on quality in down markets.

Baden credits stepwise, consensus standards (HERS → ANSI©/RESNET® 301), rigorous QA, and healthy software competition for scaling with credibility. He highlights investments in the registry, virtual QA, and an "emerging leaders" pipeline to keep talent and ideas flowing. Looking ahead, he frames RESNET®'s million-ratings-per-year goal by 2028 against today's affordability crunch: performance gains must be paired with cost sensitivity, or we lock people out of housing.

As Baden steps into a new chapter, he leaves a simple message behind: value the people, keep the partnerships strong, and keep RESNET moving forward.

Steve's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-baden-54080212/

To the RESNET® community, we hear you and want to engage. Learn more at www.RESNET.us. For more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

QUOTES:

"We created the CIRRUS Low Carbon program to speak to developers' pocketbooks — build a better building, and you get a better rate." — Tricia Baker

"Early design is peace of mind — it saves you a buck or two and a lot of headaches later." — Karl Peer

In this episode of RESTalk, host Bill Spohn is joined by Tricia Baker, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Impact at PACE Equity, and Karl Peer, an in-house engineer with deep experience in HERS ratings and energy modeling. Together, they unpack the power of C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing — a state-enabled program that helps developers and building owners access long-term, low-cost private capital for sustainable building upgrades and construction.

Tricia introduces CIRRUS Low Carbon, a unique PACE Equity program that rewards better-performing buildings with lower interest rates. Buildings that meet a HERS score of 55 or better automatically qualify for discounted financing, offering developers meaningful savings — often 50 basis points lower than standard rates. She emphasizes how this program directly links building performance to financial incentive, creating a clear economic reason to pursue higher-efficiency, lower-carbon projects.

Karl brings the technical depth, explaining how in-house engineering and RESNET© collaboration ensure rigorous validation. He describes case studies ranging from multifamily buildings in California to resilient coastal redevelopment in Florida, where C-PACE funding supported both energy efficiency and storm-hardening measures. Together, Tricia and Karl illustrate how early engagement in the design process yields the best outcomes — "early design is peace of mind," Karl says — showing how this innovative financing mechanism can drive sustainable change while improving property value and financial performance.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-kuse-marketing/

For our guests https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-peer-54878b86/

Pace-Equity Main: https://www.pace-equity.com/

Cirrus C-Pace: https://www.pace-equity.com/lowcarbon/

Case studies: https://www.pace-equity.com/case-studies/

CONTACT: https://www.pace-equity.com/schedule-a-meeting/

To the RESNET® community, we hear you and want to engage. Learn more at www.RESNET.us.

For more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US

EP144 From Checklists to Real-Time Data:

The QA Evolution at RESNET🄬 With Scott Doyle and Laurel Elam

(September 2025)

"If you're a professional and the rules of your profession change, you can't afford not to keep up."

— Scott Doyle

In this episode of the RESTalk podcast, host Bill Spohn sits down with two long-time leaders at RESNET🄬: Laurel Elam, Senior Director of Business and Standards Development, and Scott Doyle, Managing Director of Quality Assurance. Together, they unpack the evolution of quality assurance within RESNET🄬, culminating in the upcoming implementation of Addendum 75 to Chapter 9 of the RESNET🄬Standards.

Laurel provides historical context, reflecting on the organization's steady improvements over the last decade and the dream of real-time QA tracking. Scott details how the QA team has expanded, the launch of the RESNET QA🄬 app, and how mandatory adoption beginning January 1, 2026, will transform consistency, feedback, and training across the provider network. Both emphasize how real-time, searchable data not only ensures compliance but also strengthens the feedback loop for raters and providers.

The conversation closes with an invitation to the RESNET🄬webinar on September 24th (link below), where the QA team will review the details of Addendum 75 and other changes to appeals and disciplinary processes. Laurel also reminds listeners about the extended deadline for conference session nominations, underscoring RESNET's ongoing commitment to engaging its community and ensuring high-quality standards across the industry.

Be sure to register for the webinar:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3079588482659695965

This webinar will focus on the upcoming RESNET HERS🄬 Chapter 9 Standard updates, which will take effect January 1, 2026. (https://www.resnet.us/wp-content/uploads/FS-Addendum-75-Chapter-9-Update.pdf)

The webinar will highlight the key changes, including substantial updates to remote field QA requirements, the requirement to do all QA reviews via the RESNET QA® app or API, and provide clarification on how the revised standard will impact verifiers, QADs, and Providers. The session will also offer guidance to help stakeholders successfully incorporate these changes.

The session will also offer guidance to help stakeholders successfully incorporate these changes.

Shortly after September 24, you can view a recording of the webinar on the RESNET YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@ResnetUs

The deadline for submitting sessions for the 2026 RESNET® Conference has been extended to September 26, 2025! Conference website is here: https://www.resnet.us/2026-conference/

The theme of the conference is The Next Era of the HERS® Industry. RESNET is accepting nominations for 90-minute presentations in a variety of tracks, including Energy Codes, Tapping the Existing Homes Market, and Maximizing the Value of Energy-Efficient Homes. Submit nominations here!

LinkedIn:

Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-doyle-84750823

Laurel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-elam-5404817/

OTHER EPISODE QUOTES:

"This has been a long-time dream—real-time tracking of quality assurance to improve consistency and feedback." — Laurel Elam

"The checklist was great, but now it's in an app form." — Laurel Elam

To the RESNET® community, we hear you and want to engage. Learn more at www.RESNET.us.

For more info on this topic, contact RESNET at INFO@RESNET.US