For free consultation or to schedule energy audit
Call: 650-759-7709
Email: info@bayareahers.com
HERS Rating and Testing
Home Energy Rating System (HERS) has been established by
the California Energy Commission (CEC) to provide tools for
standardizing energy efficiency. CalCERTS is a private company
approved by the CEC as a HERS provider. As such, CalCERTS
administers statewide programs to train, certify, and track home
energy raters and the data they collect. Bay Area HERS is a CalCERTS
certified provider of HERS I compliance rating, and HERS II
whole-house auditing.
HERS Compliance Raters (HERS I) are the primary field verification means for certain aspects of Title 24 Energy Codes for residential new construction, commercial new construction, and HVAC alterations in commercial and residential buildings. While most energy features are still inspected by the local code enforcement agencies, HERS raters field verify certain energy features requiring special equipment or expertise.
HERS Whole House Raters (HERS II)
Established in 2010, adds to HERS original intention to be the standardized method for evaluating and scoring the energy efficiency of a home, primarily existing homes. The real estate and mortgage industries are interested in rating for the purpose of evaluating a home?s true value and affordability. Utilities use rating for the purpose of evaluating the cost effectiveness of their energy conservation programs. New-home builders use ratings to quantify and highlight the energy efficiency of new homes built under California?s strict Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards as compared to less efficient older homes.
Each rating certificate includes a graphic scale similar to the
image below. The scale runs from 250 on the left to 0 on the right.
Called the California HERS Index, the score of the rated house is
displayed above the scale. If the home has on-site generation
capacity, two points will be displayed above the scale: one without
on- site generation and one with on-site generation.
Below the scale at the 100 mark, a label identifies this position as a typical newly constructed home in compliance with 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. The bottom right of the scale shows that a score at that end represents a “Net Zero Energy Home.”
HERS index can basically be thought of as percent. An index of 100 means it uses the same amount of energy as a new home (that just meets the current energy code). An index of 80 means it uses 80% of the energy of a new home (i.e., 20% less). An index of 150 means that it uses 150% of the energy of a new home (i.e.50% more). An Index of 250 means that it uses 2 1/2 times more energy than a new home and so forth …
Bay Area HERS professionals have the credentials to perform the
whole-house audit and rating. For consultation and or appointments
call 650-759-7709, email at
info@bayareahers.com.
Bay Area HERS consultants provide HERS compliance verification and
testing of all energy measures. We have acted as a consultant and
trainer to many different firms in the implementation of these
standards. We have found assisting clients in understanding how to
comply with HERS mandated systems as their project progresses to be an
essential component in helping the job stay on schedule.For HERS Rating questions or to schedule appointments call 650-759-7709 or email at info@bayareahers.com.
Field Tests and Inspections Performed by Raters to Verify Compliance with Title 24 California Energy Codes.
|
Energy measure |
Test |
Type of Construction |
Protocol |
|
Duct Sealing |
Basic Duct Leakage (6%or 15%target) |
New installs (6%) |
RA 3.1.4.3.1 |
|
10% Leakage to Outside |
Duct Leakage to Outside |
Alterations only |
RA 3.1.4.3.4 |
|
60% Reduction of Leakage |
Duct leakage used before and after basic duct leakage test with smoke |
Alterations only |
RA 3.1.4.3.5 |
|
High Quality Insulation Installation (QII) |
Visual verification and weight per square foot measurement |
New construction only |
RA 3.5.1. |
|
QII for Spray Polyurethane Foam |
Visual verification |
New construction only |
Joint Appendix JA7 |
|
Building Envelope Sealing |
Blower Door Test |
New construction only |
ASTM E779-03 |
|
Photovoltaic(PV) Field Verification |
Visual verification and some measurements |
New construction only |
RA 3.6.1 |
|
Seal All Accessible Leaks |
Basic Duct Leakage Test with Smoke |
Alterations only |
RA 3.1.4.3.6 |
|
Supply Duct Location |
Visual verification |
New construction only |
RA 3.1.4.1 |
|
Supply Duct Surface Area |
Visual verification |
New construction only |
RA 3.1.4.1 |
|
Supply Ducts Buried in Blown-in Insulation |
Visual verification |
New construction only |
RA 3.1.4.1. |
|
Low Leakage Ducts in Conditioned Space |
Leakage to Outside (25 cfm @ 25 Pa) |
New construction only |
RA 3.1.4.3.9 |
|
Low Leakage Air Handler |
Verify model number |
New construction only |
RA 3.1.4.3.10 |
|
Improved Refrigerant Charge |
Refrigerant charge and airflow test |
New installs alterations |
RA 3.2.2. |
|
Installation of Charge Indicator Display |
Visual verification |
New installs alterations |
RA 3.4.2 |
|
Verified Cooling Coil Airflow |
Total System Airflow Measurement |
New installs |
RA 3.3.3.1 |
|
Air Handler Fan Watt Draw |
Total System Airflow and Fan Watt Draw Measurement |
New installs |
RA 3.3.1. |
|
High EER |
Verify model number and possible features |
New construction only |
RA 3.4.3 |
|
Maximum Rated Total Cooling Capacity |
Pre-requisites only (EER, airflow, ducts) |
New construction only |
See prerequisites |
|
Evaporative Cooled Condensers |
Verify model number and possible features |
New construction only |
RA 4.3.2 |
|
Ice Storage Air Conditioners |
Verify model number and possible features |
New construction only |
RA 4.3.1 |
