Other Participants

For multifamily buildings certified through the Multifamily New Construction program, an HVAC professional called a Functional Testing Agent may be required to assess the installed performance of certain systems, depending on their type and location, per the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction HVAC Functional Testing Checklist (PDF, 495 KB). The installation requirements are defined in two tracks:

• Track A - HVAC Grading by Rater
• Track B - HVAC Testing by Functional Testing (FT) Agent

A multifamily building may be certified under either track. Under Track A, a Rater completes this assessment for unitary HVAC systems, including air conditioners or heat pumps up to 65 kBtuh, or furnaces up to 125 kBtuh, that are located in the dwelling units. Where these systems are serving common spaces, they can be assessed by the Rater or by the HVAC professional. Under Track B, the HVAC professional completes this assessment.

In addition, for both tracks, the HVAC professional completes the assessment for other equipment types, if present (e.g., boilers, chillers).

The HVAC professional must hold an EPA-recognized credential for Functional Testing Agents prior to completing these assessments. Credentials are offered by independent, third-party oversight organizations whose programs have been recognized by EPA. Click on a recognized program to find out how to participate or search their list of credentialed contractors: 

Functional Testing Agents must be credentialed by an HVAC Quality Installation Training and Oversight organization (H-QUITO) or meet one of the following criteria:

Appraisers play a critical role in ensuring that the energy efficiency features of certified homes are properly reflected in the valuation process. Appraisers can browse the ENERGY STAR website or review the Homeowner Benefits to learn more about the features and benefits of certified homes.

The Appraisal Institute, a global membership association of professional appraisers, also provides support for the appraisal of energy efficient new homes. Their website hosts information on valuing green buildings, including information on their certificate program called the Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program as well as a Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum (PDF, 303KB) that can be completed by builders, Raters, or appraisers to identify and describe a home’s green and energy efficiency features.

Home Builders Associations (HBAs) play a critical role in ensuring that their members are aware of the benefits for builders to participate in the ENERGY STAR program. HBAs can leverage the resources on the ENERGY STAR website to hold training events to educate home builders about energy efficiency and the Residential New Construction program. HBAs can also recognize local ENERGY STAR builders, including promoting builders that have won national ENERGY STAR awards. In areas without an established home energy rating market, an HBA can play a key role in recruiting verification professionals and other key program participants, like HVAC contractors.

HVAC performance is critical to delivering efficiency, comfort, and durability. That's why HVAC systems in homes and apartments certified through the ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes and ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction programs are designed and installed according to industry-standard best practices.

Lenders can partner with a U.S. Department of Energy program and expand their business by issuing Energy-Efficient Mortgages (EEMs). Lenders can also expand their businesses by forming strategic relationships with real estate professionals and appraisers and using the Partner Locator to identify ENERGY STAR builder, developer, rating company, and utility partners in the markets where they operate.

Multifamily Review Organizations (MROs) are EPA-recognized organizations that provide the required review and approval of project submissions for the ASHRAE or Prescriptive Paths of the ENERGY STAR Multifamily High Rise and ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction programs.

Manufactured home retailers can promote the value of energy efficiency and educate consumers about the features and benefits of the ENERGY STAR label when selling ENERGY STAR certified manufactured homes produced by plants that partner with the program. Check with your manufacturing plant supplier(s) to see if they partner with ENERGY STAR and offer sales/marketing materials that can help you promote their ENERGY STAR certified manufactured homes to potential buyers. Note that manufactured housing plants are responsible for the proper use of the ENERGY STAR brand by the retailers that sell their homes.

Consumers increasingly demand energy-efficiency, and rank energy costs as one of the most important considerations when purchasing a new home. Real estate agents can help their clients understand the value of energy efficient new homes by educating them about the features and benefits of ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments and forming relationships with ENERGY STAR builder and rater partners.

While many industry professionals claim to understand energy efficiency, there is little consistency in their definitions. The ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program provides an industry-vetted set of technical specifications, terminology, and metrics that industry professionals can rely on. Real estate professionals can help promote ENERGY STAR by contacting their local REALTOR® Association and advocating for the addition of ENERGY STAR into their local Multiple Listing Services (MLS).