Energy Raters
Who are home energy raters?
Home energy raters provide energy-efficiency strategies and tests for existing and new residential and commercial construction. Home energy raters play an integral part in the ENERGY STAR process. Raters offer two major types of services: 1) assistance in reviewing current construction practices and recommended improvements that will result in ENERGY STAR compliance; and 2) conducting HERS ratings.
In order to ensure that a home meets ENERGY STAR requirements, a builder may submit the plans for a home to a home energy rater for review, known as a plan review. Raters input information from the plans into specially designed computer simulation programs that estimate the annual energy use of both the builder's current house design and the model energy code (MEC)-based reference house. With this information, the HERS provider can determine a projected HERS rating -- based on plans -- of the current home's design. The rater can then make recommendations to the builder on construction practices so as to reach the ENERGY STAR level.
Once the home is built, the home energy rater performs a final inspection of the house. This inspection usually includes a blower door test (to test the leakiness of the house) and a duct test (to test the leakiness of the ducts). Results of these tests are entered into a computer simulation program to estimate the annual energy use of both the house being rated and the MEC-based reference house. The HERS rating process is identical to the plan review process except that actual construction and measured performance data are used.
Home Energy Survey & Audits For Existing Homes
Home Energy Survey is intended to assess the general energy performance of the home. An energy survey identifies places in the home where energy is being wasted and prioritizes the projects needed to fix them. This survey includes the use of an infrared camera. Infrared scanning, or thermography, is used to detect hot spots, cold spots and air leakage in building envelopes. The end result of the Home Energy Survey is intended to reduce the amount of energy the home needs to operate and keep occupants comfortable. A home energy survey is just the first step in the process of lowering energy bills by making a home more efficient.
Diagnostic Home Energy Audits require the use of building performance-testing equipment (blower door, duct blaster, CO testers and the like) to measure, assess and document specific performance characteristics of the building system. A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks and openings. These tests determine the home's rate of air infiltration.
Comprehensive Home Energy Audit includes all testing required in the Diagnostic Audit as well as an evaluation, performance testing and proposed treatments for improvement of an existing home. This Audit includes a computerized simulation analysis of the homes energy performance.
Follow these links to find out more about the HERS rating process and our rates:
Why Use Energy Raters?
Thermal Bypass Checklist Guide
Home Energy Survey/Audits Brochure
Energy Rating Fees
