Independent Inspection and Testing 

"All new homes look great from the outside. But to make sure that your next new home is truly energy efficient, it’s important to look 'behind the walls.' How can home buyers really be sure? Look for homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR Rating—these homes have been inspected and tested by an independent Home Energy Rater. These professionals advise builders how to select the most appropriate energy-efficient features for a home; Raters inspect and test the home during and after construction to verify that the home meets Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) strict guidelines for energy efficiency.

Benefits Of Independent Inspection & Testing

• Peace-of-Mind for Making a Smart Purchase: before buying a used car, consumers often take the car to a trusted mechanic not affiliated with the seller to have an expert verify its performance. This helps ensure they are making a smart purchase. Homebuyers can have similar peace-of-mind by looking for the ENERGY STAR label typically located on a home’s circuit breaker box. This label assures homebuyers that the home has been verified by an independent Home Energy Rater to be truly energy efficient. In addition to lowering monthly utility bills, the energy efficiency features typically found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes can also contribute to improved home durability and homeowner comfort.
• Additional Inspections for Quality: homes that earn the ENERGY STAR typically undergo more inspections and testing than code-built homes. The ENERGY STAR verification process helps identify and correct mistakes before they are hidden behind the walls and holds builders constructing ENERGY STAR qualified homes to a higher standard. As a result, independent inspection and testing can help improve the quality and energy efficiency of a home.

How Inspection & Testing Works

Home Energy Raters are trained to evaluate construction techniques, take key measurements, and perform inspections and testing procedures to verify a home’s efficient performance. Raters help builders choose energy-efficient features for their ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Once the energy efficient features are selected, Home Energy Raters must conduct on-site inspections and testing of a home. This field verification ensures that energy-saving measures are consistent with ENERGY STAR guidelines. The process usually includes a blower door test (to test the leakiness of the house), a duct blaster test (to test the leakiness of the duct system), and completion of a thermal bypass checklist (a visual inspection of common construction areas where air canflow through or around insulation). The standards for Home Energy Ratings, inspection protocols, and testing guidelines are maintained by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). For more information, visit the RESNET Web site at www.resnet.us." (ENERGYSTAR.gov)