I Want to Build Energy Star... Now What?

Click on http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=join.join_index and follow the links to become an Energy Star Partner. The program is VOLUNTARY and costs you nothing to join.

The next step is called a plan review. The plan review provides the necessary details to assure you build a home that will meet Energy Star requirements.  It is very important that you complete this step before you begin construction. Otherwise, you may be disappointed to learn that the home will not achieve the performance necessary for certification when you’re finished.   

Before a technical review of your plan can be completed, you have to tell us how you intend to build the house. Insulation levels, window specifications, HVAC efficiencies and more are all required before the analysis can be performed.  You provide this information by completing the Project Information Sheet.  Simply print the sheet and fill in the necessary information. This sheet is submitted with a complete set of your plans including elevations, cross sections, window and door schedules and a site plan.

After completing these steps, schedule an appointment with Energy Solutions to discuss the floor plan and details of the home you intend to build. Be prepared to talk about any special concerns you or your homeowner might have about the process.

After our initial meeting, we use the plans and information you provide along with energy analysis software to evaluate the home’s energy efficiency. This assessment will yield a projected, pre-construction Home Energy Rating System Index. (HERS Index).

The HERS Index is a "yardstick" that measures the energy efficiency of a home compared to a computer-simulated reference house of identical size and shape that meets the minimum requirements of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

The reference house is assigned an index score of 100. A home that uses no energy is assigned a score of 0. The software assigns a HERS Index score for your home between 0 and 100. This index reflects the energy efficiency of the home compared to the reference home at 100 points. Each 1 percent reduction in energy usage results in a one point decrease in the HERS Index when compared to the reference house.  In other words, if your home uses 10% less energy than the reference home, then the HERS Index will be 90.

To achieve Energy Star certification, your home must score an index of 85 or less. This means your home will use 15% less energy than the reference home. Of course, you can choose to improve that efficiency. Many builders are achieving extraordinary HERS Indexes of 50 or lower.  An Index of 50 indicates the house will use 50% less energy than the reference home. 

When the plan review is complete, you will receive a package of specifications to serve as your “road map” in building the home. It includes the assumptions used in the projected HERS Index and a heat loss and heat gain calculation showing the proper size heating and cooling system(s). We will also provide other construction details required to have the home labeled as Energy Star.

COST for PHASE I:

The cost for Phase I is 40¢ per square ft. of heated and cooled area. Heated and cooled area is the conditioned area as defined in the projected HERS Score. This fee includes all the items as detailed in Phase I and up to 4 hours of consultation time. Any additional time over the 4 hours shall be invoiced at $100.00 per hour. The fee is due and payable at the completion of the Plan review.

Once you have your “road map”, the next step is to start construction. But, before you start, it’s a good idea to ensure that all subcontractors are educated and understand the Energy Star methodologies and practices.

We can help by providing training aids such as fact sheets, drawings, posters, video’s and DVD’s to communicate what is expected of each sub-trade before the work starts. That way, everyone has an opportunity to do the work right the first time saving money, time and aggravation. After everyone knows their role, you begin the building process.

Remember that there are on site inspections required during the construction process. The first inspection is performed when framing is complete. This inspection involves a good bit of time spent examining framing and other critical components of the building envelope to assure full and proper insulation of the building. We verify that window and door performance matches what was assumed in the preliminary HERS Score. 

We also complete the “Thermal Bypass Checklist” inspection. The “Thermal Bypass Checklist” is a mandatory inspection of 16 energy wasting details, including air barrier continuity, draft stopping and air sealing details. Not every home will have all 16 items. However, there are no “tradeoffs” here. Each applicable item must be addressed properly and verified.

Duct Leakage Test – If you have ducts installed at the framing inspection, we will perform a pre-drywall duct leakage test. Duct leakage cannot exceed the level assumed in the preliminary HERS Score. If the duct fails the leakage test, repairs must be made and ducts must be retested. Testing duct leakage gives your HVAC contractor the opportunity to make repairs prior to drywall.  

The second inspection occurs after insulation, but before drywall. Here we will be assessing insulation for the proper installation. Specifically, we will be looking for performance killers like misalignment, gaps, voids and wind intrusion. The Home Energy Rating System requires we also grade insulation workmanship. If insulation material is not installed properly a performance penalty is assessed by the software.

After the home passes the insulation inspection, you are ready to drywall.

COST for PHASE II:

Phase II fees are invoiced at an hourly rate of $100 per hour for inspections and re-inspections and $150 per hour for testing and re-testing, plus mileage at 50¢ per mile. Your time and mileage starts when we leave our office to travel to your job site.

TIPS: PLAN AHEAD.  You can help facilitate inspections and quality control testing by giving us plenty of notice when scheduling visits. We do not want to hold up construction. It is also a good idea to do a walk through inspection yourself and identify any violations before calling us. This will give you an opportunity to have those repaired beforehand.  

We will verify insulation levels in the attic and floors that were not inspected earlier.  We will also verify weather-stripping and insulation on any attic access door or folding stairway. HVAC equipment will be checked to assure the equipment matches what was assumed in the preliminary HERS rating. 

There are several performance tests conducted at the final inspection as well. These include:

Blower Door Test – The house leakage is tested with a calibrated blower door to verify house leakage meets the HERS target.

Duct Leakage Test – If you have ducts that were not tested or failed at pre-drywall, we will perform a duct leakage test(s) on each of those systems.

Room Pressure Test – Room pressures are tested to assure proper system balance.

Fresh Air Ventilation Test – The rate of fresh air ventilation is tested to assure it meets the requirements of the program.

Bath Exhaust and Range Hood Test – Each bath exhaust fan and range hood exhaust is tested to verify its performance.

At final inspection you also provide any additional documentation, final re-inspections for certification and sign a builder affidavit verifying all the elements used in the Home Energy Rating System are present in the home.

We enter the testing results into the preliminary HERS Score and create a Verified or Confirmed Rating. This rating reflects the “as built” performance of the home. Once this step is complete, the computer file is routed to a regional HERS provider who will double check the inputs and issue the ENERGY STAR Certificate.

Shortly thereafter, you will receive the ENERGY STAR Certificate along with a label to be affixed to the electrical panel for future homeowners to recognize the home is ENERGY STAR. We also will provide a bronze colored plaque that is typically mounted on the exterior of the home to showcase the Energy Star certification.

You present the homeowner with the ENERGY STAR Certificate and instructions on how to file for utility rate discounts. You should also designate a conspicuous location for your Bronze ENERGY STAR Certification Plague to be installed!

COST for PHASE III:

Phase III fees are invoiced at the same hourly rate as Phase II - $100 per hour for inspections and re-inspections and $150 per hour for testing and re-testing, plus mileage at 50¢ per mile. Your time and mileage starts when we leave our office to travel to your job site.

TIPS:

Be present for the final testing.  It is important that you understand the testing procedures and see the verification process in action.  Testing can also help eliminate future problems and callbacks.

BE OPEN TO CHANGE!  Be flexible with subs and Energy Star inspectors.  Ask for help when a detail that pertains to Energy Star certification is unclear.

PROMOTE Energy Star with creative marketing, realtor assistance and advertising inside the home and out.  Educate your consumers about the value that you have in the Energy Star Label.  Join the partnership of quality!