California Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services (CHEERS)
California Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services (CHEERS) is the online collaboration hub that brings the right people, information, and tools together to implement California’s Energy Code (Title 24). Builders, contractors, architects, energy consultants, HERS raters, and other industry stakeholders use CHEERS to document compliance with the requirements of California Energy Code. Building departments verify project compliance in CHEERS prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy or final sign-off. With over 80,000 users, CHEERS is used to document code compliance for 200,000+ projects every year.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (DOEZERH) program is the evolution of the previous DOE Challenge Home program. The DOEZERH program leverages the service providers and partners of the ENERGY STAR New Homes & Apartments program, adds additional requirements for certification through the Indoor airPLUS certification, and sets prerequisites for solar-ready on applicable homes.
This program requires high efficiency equipment, above-code envelope, and high performance thresholds. Earning the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification is also used to earn the 45L tax credit.
For more information, visit the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home website.
ENERGY STAR® New Homes and Apartments
The ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments program is an above code energy rating system. It has existed since 1995, and incorporates mandatory requirements and performance thresholds. It is split between three programs: Single-Family New Homes, Multifamily New Construction, and Manufactured Homes. These are one-time asset based certifications, typically stacked on top of projects going through a lower-tiered rating system.
As of January 1, 2023, earning the ENERGY STAR certification for a dwelling unit meets the requirements for the first tier of the 45L Tax Credit. More information can be found here.
Additional resources:
DOE Home Energy Score (HES)
“Developed by DOE and its national laboratories, the Home Energy Score™ provides home owners, buyers, and renters directly comparable and credible information about a home’s energy use. Home Energy Score is like a miles-per-gallon rating for a vehicle. Using a 1 to 10 scale (least to most efficient), the Score estimates a home’s energy use and recommends ways to reduce the amount of energy needed to save energy, cut costs, and improve comfort.”
The DOE HES program is delivered through Home Energy Score Assessors, working under partnered QA Providers, using approved software tools. A list of both partnered QA Providers and approved software tools can be found here.
Building Science Institute, Ltd. Co.
Building Science Institute, Ltd. Co. (BSI) is a Quality Management Organization designed from the ground up to bring professional quality management standards to the home energy rating system industry. Our clients are verification companies that perform code compliance, Energy Rating Index (ERI) ratings, ENERGY STAR®, Indoor airPlus, and Zero Energy Ready Home certifications.
Residential Energy Services Network, Inc.
The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) is a non-profit, membership based organization with the public mission, “To make the energy use of all homes transparent, thereby driving residential sector energy use toward net zero.” RESNET pursues this goal through its network of accredited Quality Assurance (QA), Training, and Software Providers. These delegated entities in turn provide third-party QA, training, and software services to rating companies.
They can be contacted here: https://www.resnet.us/about/contact-us/
Building Performance Institute, Inc.
The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) is located in Upstate New York, and has been providing certifications to building trade workers since 1998. The BPI staff and network provide an infrastructure for delivery of certification services nationwide. BPI certifications go beyond those typically provided by individual trades by utilizing the “house as a system” concept as the foundation for each job designation. BPI certified contractors are tested on their building science knowledge skills as well as their ability to apply BPI’s standards.
63 Putnam Street Suite 202 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: 877.274.1274 Fax: 866.777.1274
www.bpi.org
