AABS Rating and Home Energy Survey Ethics and
Standards of Practice

AABS was collectively formed in 2010 by many Energy Experts collabrating toward the same goal, that being to set the standards for quality in the energy efficiency assessment industry. AABS adopted The Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards, the Rating Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to ensure the clients of rating services receive accurate and unbiased information on a home's energy efficiency.

Standards of Practice

The AABS Home Energy Rating Standards of Practice guides home energy raters and auditors in the inspection and testing of a home's energy performance. The Standards of Practice were adopted by the AABS Board of Directors to help clients of rating services understand what is and what is not required in a home energy audit/rating.

Code of Ethics

AABS's Rating and Home Energy Survey Code of Ethics stresses a home energy rater/auditor's obligation to present accurate and unbiased information on a home's energy performance in a professional manner, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Filing an Ethics Complaint

AABS considers adherence to the AABS Code of Ethics so important, that the AABS National Home Energy Rating/Auditing Standards require the Code of Ethics be attached to every agreement between raters/auditors and their providers. In other words, every rater/auditor must sign an agreement attesting that they have read and agree to abide by the AABS Code of Ethics as part of their professional certification. AABS Rating and Training Providers are responsible for insuring that their certified raters and auditors abide by the Code of Ethics and have a progressive disciplinary process in place to deal with violations.

Alleged violations of the Code of Ethics by a rater or auditor should be reported to the provider according to the provider's complaint process. If the complaint is not satisfied with the result of that process, complaints may be filed against the accredited provider for failing to enforce the ethics code with their certified raters/auditors with AABS's Executive Director. If the alleged violation is against the Provider, the complaint should be filled directly with AABS's Executive Director by completing the online complaint form at AABS Code of Ethics Complaint.

Upon receipt of the response, the AABS Executive Director shall immediately forward the response to the AABS Ethics Committee for consideration and action. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the complaint, the Ethics Committee shall take action on the complaint. The action may include, but is not limited to:

• Dismissal of complaint.
• Requirement that the rating provider take steps to correct the problem.
• Recommendation of sanctions to the AABS Board under Section 109 of the AABS Standard.

All parties to the complaint shall be informed by registered mail of the Ethics Committee's action.

All complaints, responses and supporting documentation shall be handled in strict confidence by the AABS staff, the Ethics Committee, and the Board of Directors.

AABS Membership

Selecting the right home energy professional is critical. AABS rater/auditor and rating/training provider members are dedicated to quality and ethics. They have met AABS's rigorous standards and subscribe to AABS's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Membership to AABS shows the member's commitment to quality.