We are pleased to announce the release of our newest software version, EnergyGauge USA 2.8.05. Incorporated in this release are several software enhancements designed specifically for energy raters. In our effort to provide a complete energy rating and registration tool for HERS raters and providers, we have included a new HERS registration system, and automated the calculations required for the ENERGY STAR Version 3 (Revision 1) National Program.
ENERGY STAR Homes has announced version 2.5 of their program will go in effect April 1, 2011 and version 3 will go in effect January 1, 2012. The version 3 process, and version 2.5 in most locations, requires that each home have a unique ENERGY STAR HERS Index Target calculated. This target requires the creation of an ENERGY STAR Reference Design Home and a size adjustment factor. EnergyGauge automates the multiple step process and handles all of the logic required to determine if an entered home passes versions 2.5 and 3.
To make an energy rater’s job even easier, we have taken the ENERGY STAR Version 3 Program one step further by not only incorporating newly required checklists for quality control, but also performing the logic associated with ensuring checklist input conforms to the program requirements for v2.5 and v3.0. The rater also has the ability to print the blank checklists from the software.
In addition, this release supports a new system designed to simplify the registration process for raters and create secure downloadable PDF documents. The process of creating and uploading the PDF documents to the HERS Registration Web site is performed automatically at the time the provider performs the registration. Reports will include a digital signature embedded into the PDF document at the time of creation to ensure security and authenticity.
To learn more about EnergyGauge go to www.EnergyGauge.com
can someone explain to me why this software isn’t free? it is created (directly or indirectly) by the government and required by the government. having to buy this software every year X2 (once for residential, once for commercial) seems like there might be a conflict of interest there?
EnergyGauge software is provided by FSEC via a no-cost contract with the Florida Department of Community Affairs, so the cost of developing, maintaining and updating the software and providing technical support to users is paid for through software sales.
Note that the new 2010 Florida Building Code (projected to go into effect March 15, 2012) opens the performance method of compliance to additional software tools that are certified for Florida Energy Code compliance use.