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Benefits of Partnership for Home Energy Raters

The demand from builders for home energy ratings is growing. Every year, over 5,000 builders across the United States construct more than over 100,000 homes which they want certified as ENERGY STAR. This is a significant business opportunity for you. Homes earn the ENERGY STAR label only when an independent third-party verifies that they meet ENERGY STAR guidelines. Home Energy Raters are trained to evaluate construction techniques, take key measurements, and perform inspections. With ENERGY STAR Version 3 Home Energy Raters work with ENERGY STAR builder partners throughout the construction process to ensure that:

  • Homes have the appropriate energy -efficient features for that climate region.
  • Critical construction details are verified at different building stages.
  • Key systems in the home are working properly to deliver better efficiency, durability, and comfort.

EPA Support for Home Energy Raters

As ENERGY STAR partners, raters can use EPA-produced marketing resources and technical resources at no cost. Some examples include:

Learn more about how to get started as an ENERGY STAR Partner

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Home industry professionals who partner with EPA’s ENERGY STAR can increase revenue, enhance customer satisfaction, and gain national recognition as industry and environmental leaders. ENERGY STAR and its partners — builders, Home Energy Raters, utilities, state and regional sponsors, and lenders — work together to promote the benefits and increase sales of energy-efficient homes.

Note: Home Energy Rating organizations are overseen by an EPA recognized Verification Oversight Organization (VOO). A VOO is an independent, national organization that accredits these verification organizations and provides administrative processes for the training, certification, and quality assurance of businesses and individuals who verify homes to earn the ENERGY STAR label.

An organization that is interested in becoming a VOO must submit an Application for Recognition to EPA. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet the program's eligibility criteria and can successfully perform the required roles and responsibilities set forth in the application. EPA's recognition of a VOO relates solely and specifically to the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program and does not qualify the organization to implement or participate in other programs (e.g., tax credit verification).

For more information about the VOO recognition process, please contact energystarhomes@energystar.gov.