HERS for Contractors

Documenting your projects compliance with the energy code is required as a condition of the permit. Some tests are required for every job, some tests are only required in certain climate zones. Knowing what documentation is required and which tests have to be performed will determine if you make money on the job. No one wants to tell their customer they did not pass the test. What is your state of mind when someone tells you they failed a required test? Lets avoid that by researching your project to make sure you are not blind sided by the energy code.

Which HERS tests are required?

This is a tricky question to answer because without some project specifics we are just guessing. There are mandatory HERS tests like duct leakage which are required on every job, but what about when your current job has a ductless system? Follow the steps below to see what your job requires.

1. What type of project do you have?
   1. New construction projects are going to have compliance documents covering every building feature and detail which HERS test are required on the second page. These compliance documents are usually created by a designer or energy consultant using one of the states approved software programs. This is important because depending on the design of the building additional non-standard HERS measures might be required. All residential certificates of compliance have a HERS measures summary on the second page, what ever HERS measures are listed here are required. (insert CF1R snip example).
   1. Additions to existing building involving the envelope are usually going to be documented using the performance approach which makes determining the HERS requirements the same as new construction, look for the HERS measures summary on the second page. These compliance documents are usually created by a designer or energy consultant using one of the states approved software programs. (insert E+A cf1r snip)
   1. Changing out of mechanical equipment is typically done prescriptively and the compliance documents are generated just for the affected mechanical equipment. The installing contractor is generating these documents in coordination with the HERS rater so no design team or state approved software involved. Required Documentation section on second page of CF1R-ALT will show required HERS tests. (insert alt snip)

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