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What Do HERS Raters Do?

Posted on 27. May, 2009 by Alan Huguenot, CEPE in Project Management

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As registered and certified Home Energy Raters, we are trained by our HERS Provider (CalCERTS) to evaluate onsite installation techniques, take key measurements, perform inspections and duct testing procedures to verify a home’s energy efficient performance, and then electronically file with our HERS provider (CalCERTS) the Title 24 forms which verify that a new home matches the CF-1R created by the Title 24 Author.

Completion of Field Verification. As HERS-Raters we conduct on-site Third Party Field Verification and diagnostic testing of the completed construction and then fills out the Title 24, CF-4R Certificate of Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing, This field verification ensures that energy-saving measures are consistent with the chosen performance guidelines as specified in the CF-1R issued by the Title 24 Documentation Author. As the HERS-Rater we follow the inspection protocols and testing guidelines of our Provider (CalCERTS). The full testing process may include a blower door test (to test the leakiness of the houses thermal envelope), a duct blaster test (to test the leakiness of the duct system), and even a smoke test to locate the duct leaks. This may be followed with completion of a thermal bypass checklist (a visual inspection of common construction areas where air can flow through or around insulation

Forms Processing: As the HERS-Rater we then process the CF-4R and CF-6R forms electronically through our HERS Provider (CalCERTS) who administers a State-approved rating system and maintains the completed Title 24 forms electronically. The local Building Department Official will require the CF-6R form to finalize the Building Permit, and provide a Certificate of Occupancy. Also the Building Department Official may require a copy of the CF-4R to be filed with the final permit sign-off.

Energy Star for Homes & GreenPoint Rating: Finally, if the local jurisdiction utilizes GreenPoint ratings in their residential energy code, as most of the jurisdictions in Bay area and Northern California are beginning to do. Then as your HERS-Rater we will also verify the homes GreenPoint rating in accordance with Build-It-Green’s GreenPoint checklist. If the homeowner wants to achieve EPA’s Energy Star for homes ratings, then as HERS-Rater we can also provide that, as well as verifications for the various Tax Incentive programs which have been created to stimulate Energy Efficiency.

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About the author
Alan Huguenot, Certified Energy Plans Examiner (CEPE), ASHRAE, NFPA, BCA, CABEC, U.S. Green Building Council (LEED) with over 20 years experience as a Mechanical Engineer and Commissioning Agent (CxA). As a California Certified Energy Analyst (CEA), Alan provides Residential Energy Audits and full HVAC and plumbing commissioning services, to make sure that the systems in the residence are operating at their full rated efficiency.