Inspection Services
Performed by RESNET Certified HERS Raters, Home Energy Experts Trained to the Highest Standards
NEW HOME CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Home Energy Rating System (HERS®)
Nationally recognized system for assessing a home’s energy performance and providing a standard measure that allows comparison of the energy efficiency of different homes. HERS® is the baseline for many green programs including the §45L Energy Efficient Home Credit
HERSH2O®
Efficiency rating system specifically designed to measure a home’s water usage, providing a standardized evaluation of water conservation features in residential properties.
ENERGY STAR®
U.S. government-backed program that provides certification for newly built homes that are significantly more energy-efficient than typical homes, ensuring they meet rigorous requirements for energy efficiency and quality. ENERGY STAR® is required for DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certification as well as the §45L Energy Efficient Home Credit.
Indoor airPLUS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that sets standards for construction practices and product specifications to improve indoor air quality in new homes, reducing exposure to pollutants and contaminants. Indoor airPLUS is required for DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certification.
Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH)
Department of Energy (DOE) program that certifies new homes designed to offset most or all their annual energy consumption with a future addition of a renewable energy system. DOE ZERH requires certification under both ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS. Homes certified by DOE ZERH are eligible for the §45L Energy Efficient Home Credit.
National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Green Certification
NGBS Residential green building certification program that provides a blueprint for builders to follow for the design and construction of new and renovated single-family homes and multifamily residential buildings, focusing on improved energy efficiency, water and resource conservation, and indoor environmental quality.
LEED for Homes Certification
Globally recognized green building certification program that certifies homes designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient, healthy, and durable for occupants. LEED rating system.
Passive House Institute US (PHIUS)
Phius. Performance-based standard for energy efficiency in building design, encompassing aspects such as insulation, air quality, and renewable energy utilization awarded by the Passive House Institute US.
DESIGN SERVICES & “GREEN” CONSULTATION
“Green” Consulting
Providing guidance on sustainable design, energy efficiency, and meeting program certification on multifamily projects including attending design meetings, providing detailed design recommendations, offering additional program training to contractors, and preparing written and verbal communication (e.g., letters of confidence) to Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) at the request of the Client.
Energy Modeling
Advanced computer software to simulate a single-family home or multifamily building’s energy use to optimize its design and performance for energy efficiency. Energy modeling is required in most green certification programs.
HVAC System Design
Planning and designing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for a single-family home or multifamily building to ensure optimal comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency considering factors such as size, layout, and climate of the residence.
HVAC Design Review
Expert examination and evaluation of the proposed HVAC system design for a single-family home or multifamily building, ensuring it is correctly engineered for optimal efficiency, performance, and comfort.
PERFORMANCE TESTING & INSPECTIONS
Air Leakage Testing
Also known as a blower door test, is a diagnostic procedure used to measure the amount of air that leaks in and out of a building, providing a quantifiable measure of building airtightness and helping to identify areas of improvement. Air Leakage Testing is a part of Duct & Envelope Tightness (DET) Testing that is required by most building codes.
Duct Tightness Testing
Diagnostic process used to measure and locate leaks in a building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct system, ensuring efficient operation and improving indoor air quality. Duct Leakage Testing is a part of Duct & Envelope Tightness (DET) Testing that is required by most building codes.
Duct Quality Installation Inspection
Verifying the HVAC ductwork in a building has been installed correctly and efficiently to maximize the system’s performance and minimize energy losses.
Insulation Quality Installation Inspection
Assessment process to verify the insulation in a building has been installed correctly, ensuring maximum effectiveness in terms of thermal resistance and contributing to the overall energy efficiency of the building.
Air-Barrier / Air-Sealing (ABAS) Inspection
Examining the integrity of the building envelope by checking the proper installation and effectiveness of air sealing measures, thus ensuring that the building is well-protected against unwanted air leakage, enhancing comfort, and maximizing energy efficiency.
Room Pressure and Ventilation Balance Testing
Diagnostic process that ensures each room in a building has the correct air pressure balance, contributing to optimal air circulation, improving indoor air quality, and ensuring the efficiency of the HVAC system.
Combustible Air-Zone (CAZ) Testing
Diagnostic procedure that evaluates the safety and efficiency of combustion appliances within a home, ensuring they have adequate combustion air and proper venting of combustion gases to protect indoor air quality and prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
HVAC Installation Grading
Standardized method for assessing and grading the installation quality and performance of HVAC systems in residential buildings, thereby ensuring optimal energy efficiency, system performance, and occupant comfort.
Radon Testing
Detecting and measuring the levels of radon ensuring the residence is within safe limits to prevent potential health risks to occupants.
MITIGATION SERVICES
Air Sealing services
Processes that involve improving a building’s energy efficiency by reducing air infiltration and exfiltration, typically through sealing gaps and cracks in the building envelope, which can result in increased comfort and lower heating and cooling costs.
Duct Sealing services
Identifying and sealing leaks in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct system, which can improve energy efficiency, enhance indoor air quality, and increase the occupants’ comfort.