Guam, Hawaii, & Puerto Rico ENERGY STAR Version 2.5 Program Requirements

Should I use the Version 2.5 Program Requirements?

• Homes in Guam permitted before April 1, 2014 must be certified under the Version 2.5 Program Requirements for Guam, Hawaii, & Puerto Rico.
• Homes in Hawaii permitted between April 1, 2012 and July 1, 2012 must be certified under the Version 2.5 Program Requirements for Guam, Hawaii, & Puerto Rico.
• Homes in Puerto Rico permitted before April 1, 2013 must be certified under the Version 2.5 Program Requirements for Guam, Hawaii, & Puerto Rico.

For more information about the transition from Version 2.5 to 3, see the Transition Timeline for Guam, Hawaii, & Puerto Rico.

How to Certify a Home

Select the core energy efficiency measures

There are two paths to certify a home to earn the ENERGY STAR. The Prescriptive Path is based on a predefined package of improvements, while the Performance Path is based on a customized package of upgrades that is equivalent in performance to the ENERGY STAR Reference Design home.

• ENERGY STAR Version 2.5 Program Requirements for Guam, Hawaii & Puerto Rico (216KB) — This document defines the core energy efficiency specifications for both the Prescriptive and Performance Paths under Version 2.5 of the program.

Complete inspection checklists

The Version 2.5 Program Requirements for Guam, Hawaii, & Puerto Rico require the completion of four inspection checklists:

• Thermal Comfort System Rater Checklist
• HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist
• HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist
• Water Management System Builder Checklist

These checklists include building science practices that promote improved comfort, indoor air quality, and durability in certified homes. The Inspection Checklists document contains the four checklists that every home certified under Version 2.5 must complete. See the ENERGY STAR Inspection Checklists for Guam, Hawaii & Puerto Rico (777KB).

While the inspection checklists must be completed under Version 2.5, certain allowances are made that will help partners successfully transition to Version 3 Program Requirements. To see these allowances, read the ENERGY STAR Version 2.5 Program Requirements for Guam, Hawaii & Puerto Rico (216KB).

Technical guides for the ENERGY STAR Inspection Checklists are available at the Building America Solutions Center, created by the U.S. Department of Energy. These free guides replace EPA's Inspection Checklist Field Guidebooks and provide a wealth of building science and energy-efficiency information. They are intended to be aligned with, and used as a supplemental resource to, the Version 3 Program Requirements but do not represent the official policy of the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program. Where questions arise, please contact energystarhomes@energystar.gov.

Sampling Protocol

'Sampling' allows builders who have demonstrated an ability to consistently meet the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements to minimize production interruptions and verification costs. For more information, see Chapter 6 of the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards .

Policy Changes and Clarifications

EPA periodically makes policy changes and clarifications, typically in response to a unique situation within a particular climate zone, and shares frequently–asked questions. See Recent Policy Changes and Clarifications.