CEQ Provider Service Terms and Conditions
The EnergySmart Contractor designation is intended for contracting companies who seek to provide superior energy efficient contracting services to their clients. If you are unable to provide superior energy efficiency contracting due to lack of knowledge or training, we encourage you to contact Green Training USA for additional training.
The following terms and conditions are required by Green Training USA for participation in its CEQ Provider Service. Non-compliance with these terms will constitute termination of the CEQ Provider Service Agreement and removal of the Contractor from the RESNET Directory.
1004.4 EnergySmart Contractor
1004.4.1 EnergySmart Contractors must be designated as such by a CEQ Provider in accordance with Section 1004.2.5 of the RESNET Standard.
1004.4.2 EnergySmart Contractors must be licensed in the state(s) in which they conduct business if that state requires a license.
1004.4.3 An EnergySmart Contractor company shall assign an employee as its representative. The EnergySmart Contractor’s representative shall:
1004.4.3.1 Take an initial accredited eight (8) hour Qualified Contractor Course from a RESNET accredited CEQ Provider.
1004.4.3.2 Pass the RESNET National EnergySmart Contractors test administered by a CEQ Provider.
1004.4.3.3 Enter into a written agreement with the CEQ Provider in which the EnergySmart Contractor agrees to comply with the program requirements contained in the RESNET Standards and RESNET
Code of Ethics.
1004.4.3.4 Complete a minimum of four hours of Continuing Education annually delivered by the CEQ Provider.
1004.4.3.5 Renew with the CEQ Provider not less than every three years. Failure to do so will result in the EnergySmart Contractor being deleted from the CEQ’s Registry and from the RESNET Directory.
1004.4.4 Within 60 days of losing their previous representative, the EnergySmart Contractor must notify the CEQ Provider of their new representative.
1004.4.5 Only companies with the EnergySmart Contractor designation from an accredited CEQ Provider are eligible for posting and promotion on the RESNET Directory.
1004.4.6 A company with the EnergySmart Contractor designation must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability insurance.
1004.4.7 EnergySmart Contractors will install the energy-saving measures from the final, homeowner approved work scope prepared by the Rater/Auditor.
1004.4.8 All EnergySmart Contractors shall have their clients signify that they understand a disclosure statement indicating that all work will or will not meet recognized industry standards.
1004.4.9 All EnergySmart Contractors shall have their clients signify on a disclosure statement that a whole-house audit is recommended.
2. The EnergySmart Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining its own insurance. EnergySmart Contractor shall be entirely and solely responsible for its acts and the acts of its employees and agents, and, for it, its successors or assigns, covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the other party, its officers, directors and employees and agents harmless, absolute and without limit, for, from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, investigations or other proceedings brought against them, including but not limited to all damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees and costs) in connection therewith, to the extent based upon, arising out of or related to any act or omission of that party, its employees, agents or independent contractors. EnergySmart Contractor shall notify Green Training USA of any and all claims asserted by third parties promptly after learning of any such claims.
1006.3 CEQ Provider Quality Assurance of EnergySmart Contractors
1006.3.1 The CEQ Provider shall annually verify that the EnergySmart Contractor’s representative is still with the company.
1006.3.2 Respond to complaints against EnergySmart Contractors.
1006.3.3 Follow written EnergySmart Contractor Disciplinary Procedures described in
1006.4 CEQ Provider Complaint Resolution Procedures
1006.4.1 The CEQ Provider must conduct non-compliance resolution when a complaint is received about the work performance of an EnergySmart Contractor from any of the following:
1006.4.1.1 The client
1006.4.1.2 Rater/Auditor
1006.4.1.3 Other EnergySmart Contractor
1006.4.1.4 Final Verifier
1006.4.2 Complaints shall be managed and resolved by the CEQ Provider’s Complaint Resolution Officer (CRO) following the CEQ Provider’s Complaint Response Process.
1006.4.3 Each CEQ Provider shall retain records of complaints received and responses to complaints for a minimum of three years after the date of the complaint.
1006.4.4 The Complaint Response Process shall include, at a minimum, the following:
1006.4.4.1 Consumer Complaint Form, available for submittal via the RESNET website. (1004.2.3.1) The form will be forwarded to the CEQ Provider to the attention of the CRO.
1006.4.4.2 It is the responsibility of the CEQ Provider to secure the documentation from the EnergySmart Project Manager or Final Verifier for review by the CRO.
1006.4.4.3 The CRO shall evaluate the complaint to determine if the contractor shall be deemed to be in non-compliance. Complaints must:
a. Be related to either structural or major deficiencies (over $500) and must impact the energy efficiency of the home.
b. Include the work contract(s) and copies of checklists denoting unresolved deficiencies.
c. In the event the CRO cannot make a fair evaluation of the complaint based on the information submitted, the consumer shall have the option of hiring an independent Rater/Auditor to visit the site and submit his or her report and findings.
1006.4.4.4 The EnergySmart Contractor Complaint Resolution Process shall consist of the following:
a. The CRO will notify the contractor of the complaint and the contractor shall have forty five (45) calendar days to resolve the complaint.
b. A complaint will be considered resolved once a Complaint Resolution Form has been submitted, signed by both the client and the party against whom the complaint was filed, and the resolution verified by the CRO.
c. If the complaint is not resolved in the allotted time, it will be considered unresolved.
1006.4.4.5 EnergySmart Contractors with three (3) unresolved complaints within a 90 day period or with five or more unresolved complaints at any given time shall have their certification suspended in accordance with the provisions of 1006.4.5.
1006.4.4.6 A log of unresolved complaints shall be maintained by the CEQ Provider and must be made available to RESNET upon request.
1006.4.5 The minimum requirements for suspension of certification procedures are the following:
1006.4.5.1 First Offense: First time an EnergySmart Contractor has three unresolved complaints within a 90 day period or has five outstanding unresolved complaints, the CEQ Provider shall suspend the contractor’s certification for a period of not less than 30 days, and:
a. Shall inform RESNET that the contractor’s certification has been suspended, and shall request that RESNET remove the contractor from the directory.
b. Shall require the contractor prior to reinstatement to complete two (2) hours of Continuing Education specific to conflict resolution or customer relations, or successfully resolve at least one of the complaints.
c. Shall inform RESNET when the contractor’s certification has been reinstated, and shall request that RESNET reinstate the listing on the directory.
1006.4.5.2 Second Offense: Second time an EnergySmart Contractor has three unresolved complaints within a 90 day period or has five outstanding unresolved complaints, the CEQ Provider shall suspend the contractor’s certification for a period of not less than 90 days, and:
a. Shall inform RESNET that the contractor’s certification has been suspended, and shall request that RESNET remove the contractor from the directory.
b. Shall require the contractor prior to reinstatement to complete three (3) additional hours of Continuing Education and successfully resolve at least one of the complaints.
c. Shall inform RESNET when the contractor’s certification has been reinstated, and shall request that RESNET reinstate the listing on the directory.
1006.4.5.3 Third Offense: Third time an EnergySmart Contractor has three unresolved complaints within a 90 day period, or has five (5) outstanding unresolved complaints , the CEQ Provider shall suspend the contractor’s certification for a period of not less than twelve (12) months, and:
a. Shall inform RESNET that the contractor’s certification has been suspended, and shall request that RESNET remove the contractor from the directory.
b. Shall require the contractor, prior to reinstatement, to complete three (3) additional hours of Continuing Education and successfully resolve at least three of the complaints.
c. Shall inform RESNET when the contractor’s certification has been reinstated, and shall request that RESNET reinstate the listing on the directory.