Archive for the ‘FAQ Blog’ Category
How Does EnergyARM Prove Invaluable to Program Administrators?
Friday, July 31st, 2009Let’s talk bottom-line: It’s your program and you’re responsible for the proper implementation, full documentation and resulting records of all transactions that occur. The ARRA Stimulus funds come with many strings attached, including: compliance with the Davis/Bacon (Prevailing Wage) Act, mandatory complete transparency of transactions, custom reports and more. (more…)
How Is EnergyARM Valuable to Lenders?
Friday, July 31st, 2009By using the EnergyARM website and system, financial institutions can monitor the progress of energy audits and energy improvements in real time plus receive customized reports based upon the requirements of each lender. Since EnergyARM allows only certified HERS raters access to the REM/Rate software, the resulting reports and forms can be used for both Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIMs). This nationally recognized approach to energy improvement lending allows the EnergyARM system to function long after the ARRA stimulus funding has run out. By using the time-proven HERS rater/lending process the lender can be assured that the resulting reports are developed by certified professionals who have to maintain their credentials and insurance levels in order to be allowed access to the software involved in the EnergyARM system.
How Can EnergyARM Help Home Energy Raters?
Friday, July 31st, 2009The time and effort (and expense) that you have incurred to become a certified home energy rater have enabled you to access the REM/Rate software utilized by EnergyARM. Only active certified HERS raters with E&O insurance are authorized to use the software. Why? For several important reasons: First, only certified HERS raters have access to the rating function of the REM/Rate software, so only HERS raters can determine the HERS index score of a residential building. HERS rating index scores are used for a variety of programs, such as ENERGY STAR®, residential energy tax credits and more. Second, only certified HERS raters are allowed to print certification forms used for programs like Energy Efficient and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EEMs and EIMs), ENERGY STAR® for New Homes and the US Green Building Council’s LEED® for Homes program.
The EnergyARM program uses the best technologies and programs available so that the end processes are as technically sound as possible. What does this mean? For example, Energy Improvement Mortgage programs have been in existence for decades but have not been used often simply because the process has not been automated. By using the EnergyARM program, an EIM becomes part of the automated process. This gives a multitude of lenders the ability to fund energy improvement projects using a time-proven program and will allow users of EnergyARM to have access to funding long after the ARRA Stimulus funds have been used up.
Here are some of the important benefits for the Energy Professional who uses EnergyARM.
- EnergyARM is software that you will use while actually doing your energy audit. EnergyARM will guide you, step-by-step, through each and every process and audit decision. You CANNOT forget a thing.
- EnergyARM takes the guesswork out of your results. EnergyARM automates all of the energy calculations and provides results that you and the homeowner can understand.
- Every EnergyARM project requires both a certified BPI Building Analyst and a certified HERS Rater.
- EnergyARM helps you find work. Once in the EnergyARM system, you will be able to find and bid on projects that have populated EnergyARM.
- EnergyARM connects you with licensed and insured contractors who are looking for your services.
- The EnergyARM auto-bid process allows contractors, homeowners, and energy professionals to connect in the EnergyARM system, and, with your pre-populated bidding, you won’t miss an opportunity should you be away from your computer when bids are finalized.
- Once you have been approved as the Auditor or Rater on a given project, funds are automatically escrowed. When you are completed with your work, you funds are available for your payment and are direct deposited into your account.
- EnergyARM connects you with licensed and insured contractors who are looking for your services.
- EnergyARM automates the Quality Assurance process. You are also far less likely for your QA Provider to find any errors since EnergyARM has a carefully designed automation engine.
- EnergyARM is your management tool to schedule your work, add other workers, and to manage your small but growing business.
- All documentation is maintained and archived in the EnergyARM system.
How Can EnergyARM Help Home Energy Auditors?
Friday, July 31st, 2009We know from experience that it can be hard to conduct energy audits and generate new business at the same time. The EnergyARM system is designed to help provide ongoing field audit work and more for you, as long as you meet and maintain the minimum requirements for membership. Basically, you need to have a good understanding of how to conduct a proper, detailed energy audit of an existing building. This means that you need to measure and notate all important items, know how to determine efficiency levels of various energy-consuming appliances and be familiar with the codes and other requirements for the jurisdictions that you work in. If you have undertaken BPI or similar training, you understand the importance of testing naturally-aspirated combustion appliance(s) during the audit process and at post-completion of energy upgrades.
You are expected to own or have access to these important items (and understand how to operate them): a calibrated blower door, a laptop/tablet computer with REM/Design software loaded on it, combustion analysis testing devices and the standard items needed to conduct an energy audit. We expect you to follow the rules and procedures involved when becoming a member of the EnergyARM network. (For information regarding membership, please see the “Membership” tab).
Here are some of the important benefits for the Energy Professional who uses EnergyARM.
- EnergyARM is software that you will use while actually doing your energy audit. EnergyARM will guide you, step-by-step, through each and every process and audit decision. You CANNOT forget a thing.
- EnergyARM takes the guesswork out of your results. EnergyARM automates all of the energy calculations and provides results that you and the homeowner can understand.
- Every EnergyARM project requires both a certified BPI Building Analyst and a certified HERS Rater.
- EnergyARM helps you find work. Once in the EnergyARM system, you will be able to find and bid on projects that have populated EnergyARM.
- EnergyARM connects you with licensed and insured contractors who are looking for your services.
- The EnergyARM auto-bid process allows contractors, homeowners, and energy professionals to connect in the EnergyARM system, and, with your pre-populated bidding, you won’t miss an opportunity should you be away from your computer when bids are finalized.
- Once you have been approved as the Auditor or Rater on a given project, funds are automatically escrowed. When you are completed with your work, you funds are available for your payment and are direct deposited into your account.
- EnergyARM connects you with licensed and insured contractors who are looking for your services.
- EnergyARM automates the Quality Assurance process. You are also far less likely for your QA Provider to find any errors since EnergyARM has a carefully designed automation engine.
- EnergyARM is your management tool to schedule your work, add other workers, and to manage your small but growing business.
- All documentation is maintained and archived in the EnergyARM system.
Why is EnergyARM Valuable to Contractors?
Friday, July 31st, 2009EnergyARM gives contractors who utilize the network several key benefits. First, once you join the network you will begin to receive RFPs and/or Request for Bids for energy improvement work based upon the trades or areas of your specialty. Second, no work will be sent to bid unless it has receive prior funding so you won’t be wasting your time bidding on projects that never actually get funded. Third, if you are the winning bidder, you will get an organized list specifying the work that needs to be performed plus a realistic timeline for completion.
Last but certainly not least, once you have completed your particular project or energy improvement and it has met with approval by the residential property owner and/or energy auditor, you will receive your payment via electronic banking download directly into your bank account. (Typically within 2 to 4 days after approval) No more waiting for 30, 60, 90 or more days to get paid! (Other arrangements for payment can be made if the electronic banking option is not appropriate.)
Here are a few important ways that EnergyARM can help the Home Energy Improvement Contractor.
- EnergyARM helps you find work. Once in the EnergyARM system, you will be able to find and bid on projects that have populated EnergyARM.
- You can pre-populate EnergyARM with your unit costs for energy improvement work enabling you to bid on multiple projects.
- The EnergyARM auto-bid process allows contractors, homeowners, and energy professionals to connect in the EnergyARM system, and, with your pre-populated bidding, you won’t miss an opportunity should you be away from your computer when bids are finalized.
- Once you have been approved as the Energy Improvement Contractor on a given project, funds are automatically escrowed. When you are completed with your work, you funds are available for your payment and are direct deposited into your account.
- EnergyARM connects you with licensed and insured contractors who are looking for your services.
- EnergyARM is connected with various energy programs, and provides you to benefit from Energy Improvement Mortgages.
- EnergyARM can provide you with your own private portal with your own subcontractors. No one else has access to these contractors or clients through your portal.
- EnergyARM is your management tool to schedule your work, add other workers, and to manage your small but growing business.
- All documentation is maintained and archived in the EnergyARM system.