Next Step Home Standard Protocol
In 2015, NEEA seeks to resolve the key question: Can a market facing Energy Performance Rating (EPR) generate
utility savings? Such a tool will simplify utility programs and enable greater energy savings to be captured,
provide data for codes and standards advancement, and provide leverage for product differentiation, product
valuation, and product awareness. To do this NEEA seeks both RTF approval and market acceptance of a
standard modeling protocol based on the REM/rate software tool to determine energy savings in new homes.
Parallel to this are refinements to the existing infrastructure. This consists of the following three activities:
 Training & Education
 Market Partner Engagement & Alignment
 Pilot Project and Data Analysis
Vision
The vision is to align all market actors (utilities, realtors, builders, raters, MLS providers, financers, homebuyers)
with a metric that differentiates homes on energy efficiency. Key to this is enabling utilities to determine savings
on a house-by-house basis employing integrated design techniques with the same asset metric tool used by the
other market actors (i.e. REM/Rate). The protocol would validate REM/Rate savings estimates for new
construction as an alternative to establishing individual UES measures. This protocol would be used under the
following limited conditions:



The protocol applies to only new construction
Models are generated by certified raters in accordance with RESNET
A strict set of input protocols and software constraints are followed by RESNET approved Raters
Desired Outcomes
 Utilities easily claim all incremental savings above code in energy efficient homes
 Utilities identify and offer programs for new construction customized to their needs
 Realtors use the rating metric to communicate the energy efficiency of a home and increase sales rates
 Builders use performance ratings to communicate the value of energy efficiency and sell homes for a
premium
 Raters provide builders with building science expertise to achieve integrated design savings that meet
both market demand and utility objectives
 Homebuyers are able to identify which homes are more efficient and make comparative decisions
 Financers offer better or more financing terms for homes with lower energy bills
Protocol Development Timeline
NSH Standard Protocol Vision v1
Jan 21, 2015
About NEEA’s Next Step Home Program
The NSH program is pursuing improvements to new residential construction standard of practice and equipment
choices for integration into residential energy codes. The program started as an investigation of whole home
performance resulting from integrated design. Twelve Phase I, and 30 Phase II NSH pilot homes have extensive
data monitoring packages with one minute increment monitoring of all electrical circuits. The specification is
where is anticipated achievable state for building energy code (~30% above IECC 2012).
The NSH program specification is for the pilot homes. It is not a utility program requirement (though it could be
program’s top tier performance level). The Pilot project data and lessons learned form the foundation of the
NSH guidelines, builder training, equipment manufacturer feedback and the NSH standard protocol.
Market Driven
Market
Actors
Better
Homes
Support
Testimony
Incentives
and
Validation
Validation
Code
Required
Training
Knowlege
Tools
Capture
more savings,
easier
Utility
Programs
Code Orgs
Code Changes
Data
Knowlege
Pilot
Homes
Data
Proposals
Market and Code Driven Changes
Supported by Utility Programs
Efficiency
Measures
Utility programs are central to moving new efficiency measures from uncommon to code-required. Utility
programs do not have enough resources alone to pay for all the incremental cost. Supporting market actors with
tools, training and validation enables utility investments to be highly leveraged. We seek to ensure that the
market-facing asset rating (score) is accurate and enables builders, realtors, raters, bankers and utilities to
differentiate homes based on both energy and resulting non-energy benefits such as comfort and indoor air
quality.
Utility Role
 Offer incentives for new construction measures
 Co-market with NEEA and builders
 Act as Verifiers/Raters by certifying homes and providing additional QA for the program
NEEA’s Role
 Develop measure specifications with regional technical experts that meet utility needs
 Support rater infrastructure to provide building science expertise to builders around the region
 Provide regional marketing support, recruitment and training to increase consumer awareness and
demand for energy efficiency in new construction
 Work on a statewide basis with existing building programs to influence their energy standards and
incorporate their QA and home data tracking into a regional system
2
NSH Standard Protocol Vision v1
Jan 21, 2015