Home Energy Rating Service

805 551-1050

What is a HERS Rater Technician 

Home Energy Rating System Rater (HERS Rater) is a person Trained and Certified by a State approved organization through the California Department of Energy to perform Testing pertaining  to conserving energy. HERS Raters can perform many services from duct testing to builder inspections for LEED or Energy Star programs, energy credits, or other energy saving inspections.

What is a duct leak test? 

A Duct leakage HERS test is a pressure test to measure any air loss in your duct system.  The HERS Rater seals off the duct system to pressurize it using special duct testing equipment that measures the input and loss. The Energy Department found that the average homes duct system leaks approximately 30% and made duct leakage testing mandatory Oct 2005.

(New and Existing Homes​)  Standards (Effective January 1, 2023)

Duct sealing and airflow/fan watt draw verifications are required in all climate zones, refrigerant charge verifications are only required in climate zones 2 and 8 thru 15.

Duct testing is required if greater than 25' of new or replacement ducts are installed, or
if a new or replacement of a space-conditioning system equipment is installed including the FAU, condenser, evaporator coil and/or heating coil.
A New duct system shall have total duct leakage 5% or less. No exceptions, No options.

Existing ducting: shall have total duct leakage of 10% or less (changed from 15%) duct leakage to outside or use the Seal All Accessible Leaks protocol which requires a visual inspection and Smoke Test.

New duct system:
Measured Airflow shall be 350 CFM/ton, and
Measured Fan Efficacy shall be 0.45 Watts/CFM for Gas Furnaces Only.
Measured Fan Efficacy shall be 0.58 Watts/CFM for all other types of furnaces other than gas.
Small Duct High Velocity duct systems:
Measured airflow shall be 250 CFM/ton, and
Measured fan Efficacy shall be 0.62 Watts/CFM.


                                         2020 Standards
HERS Testing Related

Quality Insulation Installation and associated HERS testing is prescriptively required.

Whole house fan testing.

Kitchen exhaust hood verification.
Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) Product Directory
https://HVI.org
Kitchen Range Hood Verification requirement

Home infiltration (blower door) if project utilizes continuous exhaust  for attached dwellings.

• HVAC systems require MERV 13 filter.

• Water heater credit for Drain Water Heat Recovery system.

• Residential Solar
    The new code requires solar photovoltaic systems for new homes.
For new residential homeowners, based on a 30-year mortgage, the Energy Commission estimates that the new code will add about $40 to an average monthly payment, but save consumers $80 on monthly heating, cooling and lighting bills. Nonresidential buildings will use about 30 percent less energy due mainly to lighting upgrades.
What Climate Zone do I live in? (PDF download)
Climate Zones by zip code 

Duct sealing and airflow/fan watt draw verifications are required in all climate zones, refrigerant charge verifications are only required in climate zones 2 and 8–15.

How long does it take to perform a standard airtightness test of a house or duct system?

How long does it take to perform a standard air tightness test of a house or HERS duct system?
A standard air tightness test of a house can usually be completed in 30 minutes or less. If you are having the Air conditioning also tested the total test should be about 1 hour. The Blower Door can typically be installed in about 5 - 10 minutes. Additional preparation and inspection of the house prior to beginning a test adds another 15 minutes. At this point, a test of the house to determine the overall leakage of the envelope can be conducted in less than 5 minutes.
Once the simple air tightness test has been completed, additional diagnostic procedures to find and prioritize the major leakage sites can add another 20 to 45 minutes depending on the size and complexity of the house, and the procedures used.
A standard air tightness duct test system using a Duct Blaster usually takes a little longer than a house test (about 20 to 30 minutes more), due to the need to temporarily seal all registers and grills before starting the testing procedure. Use of an adhesive backed register sealing material, such as Duct Mask, can keep this additional time investment to a minimum. 

Are there Utility Company rebates available?

Are there Utility Company rebates available?
Yes. The major utility companies have programs available each year for New Construction Builders and existing homeowners as well. The funds are available on a first-come-first-served basis and are limited. Please call your utility company to inquire about funds availability. 

Why do I need a Title-24?

Why do I need a Title-24?
The California Energy Commission requires the County or City Building Departments review a Title-24 energy calculation on your home to ensure the new construction, addition, or remodels comply with California Code Efficiency Standards before a permit is issued                 

When do I need a Title-24?

When do I need a Title-24?
Anytime you build a new home, change the square footage of the house or increase the window sizes. 

About Energy Star

About Energy Star
ENERGY STAR, an innovative energy efficiency program first introduced in 1995 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a voluntary national partnership that now includes more than 2,400 builders, developers, retailers and product manufacturers all working to build homes that use energy more efficiently.                 

What is an Energy Star Home?

What is an Energy Star Home?
An Energy Star home is built a minimum of 15% more energy compliant than California Energy Code requirements. The extra measures used to meet the minimum 15% are required to be verified by an independent 3rd party tester/inspector (called a HERS Rater). Once the tests/inspections are successfully verified, Home Energy Rating Service registers the home on the State Registry and issues the Energy Star Certificate.                 

Why would I want my home to be Energy Star?

Why would I want my home to be Energy Star?
An Energy Star home has various advantages. The greatest advantages are lower utility bills and mortgage incentives. For new homebuilders, the advantages also include marketing benefits. 

What is the difference between Energy Star and the Total Home™ System programs?

What is the difference between Energy Star and the Total Home™ System programs?
The Total Home System™ incorporates all Energy Star measures and more. The house is required to have ACCA approved duct designs, improved insulation installation and the outside envelope is better sealed to prevent your conditioned air from escaping. At each step, a qualified HERS Rater inspects and tests each home to verify the superior energy efficiency quality of the home.