RESNET BOARD · RATER MEMBER CANDIDATE
Credible Ratings.
Good Compensation.
Adequate Oversight.
Michael Arblaster Harmony Home Energy
Independent Rater. Small-business owner. QA professional. Working for clear guidance, credible QA, and a viable future for independent rating businesses.
where the work happens.
MY FOCUS, IN A NUTSHELL
A stronger voice.
A clearer path forward.
I support RESNET’s efforts to strengthen quality assurance and accountability.
My focus would be to give independent Raters a stronger voice, clear explanations of what is changing and why, and practical guidance for meeting those requirements efficiently.
I want to protect the credibility of HERS while keeping the cost of entering the profession, staying in business, and competing fairly manageable for small independent rating companies.
I don’t claim to have every answer. I would bring questions from independent Raters into the discussion, seek clear explanations, and help turn those explanations into useful guidance for the people doing the work.
MY PRIORITIES
Clear commitments.
Practical progress.
What I would advocate for as your
Rater Representative.
01A stronger voice. Clearer information.
Independent Raters need timely information and a meaningful way to participate in decisions. I would advocate for clear explanations of changes and bring their practical questions and concerns into the discussion.
- Explain what is changing, why, and when it applies.
- Seek useful examples and practical compliance guidance.
- Bring independent Rater feedback into proposed changes.
02Meaningful QA. Fair compliance costs.
QA should address identifiable risks and deliver useful oversight. I would ask RESNET to assess the cost, staff time, and practical effect of proposed requirements for a solo Rater, a small rating company, and an integrated Provider before adopting them.
- Evaluate benefits alongside entry and recurring compliance costs.
- Reduce duplication where documented work meets the oversight need.
- Maintain impartial review and effective conflict-of-interest safeguards.
03A workable path to enter, stay, and grow.
Qualified professionals need a clear path into independent practice and room to grow. I would advocate for transparent requirements and fair recognition of documented QA and demonstrated competency when changing Providers, while preserving necessary oversight.
- Clear expectations and predictable compliance costs for new entrants.
- Fair recognition of documented work when changing Providers.
- Consistent accountability across company sizes and business models.
04Practical standards. Practical learning.
Technical requirements need a clear path to field verification. My standards work, code experience, and mentorship inform how I would connect professional development to everyday practice and efficient compliance.
- Requirements that are understandable and verifiable on site.
- Accessible learning for field staff, Modelers, and business owners.
- Practical tools and workable transitions when requirements change.
These are my priorities as a candidate. Changes would require collaboration through RESNET’s governance and standards processes.
WHY THIS MOMENT
Help turn the next chapter
into practical progress.
RESNET’s leadership has described a direction.
I want to help make it work for Raters.
“How can we do this better?”
John Hensley · RESNET Board President
RESTalk: RESNET’s Next Chapter · September 2026 ↗
That question is a useful starting point for this election. In RESNET’s September 2026 leadership conversation, the emphasis was on listening, strengthening the HERS community, and preserving the trust behind every rating. Here is how I would contribute. [2]
Clearer guidance. Credible QA.
HERS IQ emphasizes transparency, credibility, and support. The leadership discussion also calls for better communication and education across the network. [1] [2]
QA experience and SDC 900 service since 2022. I would seek clear explanations and practical guidance, alongside impartial review and a careful assessment of costs to independent practice.
Value beyond a single incentive.
The episode explores the value of HERS as incentives change, alongside opportunities involving codes, utilities, and existing homes. [2]
Independent business ownership, state code advisory work, and field verification. I would advocate for a durable role for Raters in code compliance, with requirements that leave a workable path for small companies to participate.
Learning throughout the year.
RESNET’s planned 2027 Professional Development Program spans technical, business, leadership, and workforce education through live and recorded learning. [2]
Mentorship and experience developing a small team. I would support practical education that helps new professionals enter the industry and helps current Raters lead sustainable businesses.
Growth built on verified performance.
The discussion connects new markets, including manufactured homes and water efficiency, to the people, standards, QA, and verified data behind RESNET’s work. [2]
A view of how training, field work, documentation, and QA fit together. Growth should be supported by effective checks and balances while keeping the cost of participation workable for independent businesses.
THE NEXT CONVERSATION: RATERS IN CODE POLICY
RESTalk Episode 157 encourages Raters to bring field experience into code decisions. My Pennsylvania advisory work and 2025 PA-Alt contribution are examples of the experience I would bring to that conversation. [3]
A credible system needs capable professionals who can afford to participate. My goal is strong standards and a fair chance for independent Raters to build a future.
MEET MICHAEL
A connected perspective.
Grounded in practice.
I’m Michael Arblaster of Harmony Home Energy in western Pennsylvania. My background brings together building science, field testing, quality assurance, small-business ownership, and mentorship.
I hold a Master of Sustainable Systems from Slippery Rock University, with additional education in HVAC and marketing. I care about helping people understand how buildings work and giving the next generation a practical way into the industry.
View my LinkedIn profileRESNET SDC 900
Committee service since 2022, informed by work as a HERS Rater and QA professional.
Pennsylvania energy code work
Volunteer technical advisor to Pennsylvania’s UCC Review and Advisory Council and named contributor to the 2025 PA-Alt.
Independent business & mentorship
Building a team, supporting emerging professionals, and turning field measurements into useful information.
YOUR WORK. YOUR PROFESSION. YOUR VOICE.
Keep our ratings credible.
Keep our profession viable.
I would be honored to earn your vote and bring that perspective to one of the two
Certified RESNET HERS® Rater Representative seats.
A meaningful voice.
- Voting
- October 1–31, 2026
- Results announced
- November 10, 2026
- New term begins
- January 1, 2027
Sources & election information
RESNET’s direction above is summarized from its September 2026 leadership episode and HERS IQ materials; the proposed contributions are Michael’s campaign positions.
- HERS® IQ: Transparency, Credibility, and Support
- RESNET’s Next Chapter: Listening, Learning and Growing · September 10, 2026
- RESTalk Episode 157: Why HERS Raters Belong in Code Conversations · October 2026
- Existing RESNET oversight requirements and Provider QA responsibilities · Context for proposed improvements to safeguards
- Official 2026 Board election information
- Official Rater candidate statements
Field photograph: Harmony Home Energy’s team page. Information checked October 22, 2026.