The partnership between the International Code Council (ICC) and Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) has been the catalyst for substantial progress in the Water Efficiency Rating (WER) Index.

RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden has announced that the technical guidelines were finalized and that nearly all the task force work had been completed.

The one exception being the Rater Training and Qualification Requirements Subcommittee; which is tasked with establishing the training requirements for both existing HERS Raters to conduct WER Index ratings, as well as other previously unaffiliated professionals. The remaining work of the Rater Training & Qualification Subcommittee is expected to be completed this fall, and RESNET plans to conduct a limited field verification to ensure that the rating system works smoothly.

Baden noted, "Our intention has always been to develop the technical guidelines within this framework to both serve as the basis for the rating procedures, as well as to form the basis of a candidate American National Standard (ANS)." This is the same process that was used in the development of the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index.

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