8608573, 9B-60.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 8608573

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Division:

Division of Housing and Community Development

Chapter:

FLORIDA BUILDING ENERGY RATING SYSTEM

Overview

RULE:

9B-60.002	Definitions (Transferred)
9B-60.003	Department Activities (Transferred)
9B-60.004	Florida Building Energy Rating System, Adopted (Transferred)
9B-60.005	Training and Certification Program (Transferred)
9B-60.007	Florida Building Energy Rating System, Existing Public Buildings (Transferred)
9B-60.008	RESNET Standards, Adopted (Transferred)

PURPOSE:

Section 553.992, Part VIII, F.S., requires the Department of Community Affairs (the Department) to update the Building Energy-Efficiency Rating System in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 120, F.S. Section 553.995(2), F.S., requires the BERS program to be compatible with federal rating systems and state building codes and standards, where applicable. The proposed rule changes coincide with changes made to a national standard for home energy rating systems that is promulgated by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO). Updating to this standard allows Florida to maintain its accreditation with NASEO, which has positioned itself to provide certifications for builders wishing to claim federal tax credits from the Internal Revenue Service.

SUMMARY:

Both Florida’s energy code and the BERS ratings utilize the same computer programs. The Florida energy code upgraded to the EnergyGauge® USA program as its calculation engine during the 2007 code update cycle; this rule does the same for the BERS Program. Forms referenced by the rule are described with the year “2008” to assure that BERS criteria line up with the 2007 Florida Building Code, revised 2009, which references the EnergyGauge USA Fla/Res 2008 computer program and the EnergyGauge Summit Fla/Com 2008 computer program.
Adopts the 2006 Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards, amended July 22, 2009, promulgated by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and the National Association of State Energy Officials, and amends applicable portions of the rule to reflect this change:
1. The HERS Score is changed to a HERS Index with the Reference Standard for a home becoming a ratio when compared to the Design home.
2. The residential ratings will utilize the EnergyGauge® USA ResRate 2008 program, which meets the new Standards.
3. Class 1 raters will be required by the Standards to pass the RESNET National Core Exam. Recertification of raters will no longer require peer review and reevaluation.
4. Reporting of ratings will be via website upload.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

553.992, 553.994, 553.998 FS.

LAW:

553.992, 553.995, 553.995(1), (1)(c), (4), 553.996 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

5/7/2010 Vol. 36/18

COMMENTS:

From 5/7/2010 To 5/28/2010 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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