Energy Rating Companies

The demand for home energy rating services is strong and growing. Energy Rating Companies (ERCs), comprised of trained and certified professionals (e.g., energy Raters, Rating Providers), can partner with ENERGY STAR to expand their service offerings while becoming an invaluable asset to their builder clients.

Third party verification is a central component of the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction programs and gives homebuyers and renters confidence that their new homes are energy efficient. ERCs participating in either ENERGY STAR Certified Single-Family New Homes or ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) can increase their revenue by gaining exclusive access to thousands of ENERGY STAR builder and developer partners. ERCs work closely with builders and developers to design homes and multifamily buildings that meet the program requirements and verify critical construction details during and after construction.

Partnering with ENERGY STAR is an opportunity for ERCs to expand their service offerings beyond simply providing energy ratings or individual performance tests (e.g., blower door tests). ERCs can become an invaluable asset to their clients and transition to the role of energy consultants by providing value throughout the construction process.

ERC partners can leverage the ENERGY STAR brand and take advantage of a suite of sales and marketing resources to help attract and recruit clients. ERC partners also become eligible for national recognition from EPA in the form of ENERGY STAR Awards if they meet eligibility criteria and demonstrate exemplary leadership in the verification of certified homes and apartments.

ENERGY STAR provides technical support in the form of webinars and resources posted online that can help Energy Rating Companies improve their understanding of building science. 

If you have a question about ENERGY STAR requirements that is not easily addressed by ENERGY STAR resources, email energystarhomes@energystar.gov for one-on-one support.

Visit the Partner Locator to find active ENERGY STAR partners and incentives near you.

Training Requirements

All individuals completing the third-party verification required for ENERGY STAR certification must a) be Certified Raters or Approved Inspectors, as defined by ANSI / RESNET / ICC Standard 301, or an equivalent designation as determined by a Home Certification Organization (HCO) or Multifamily Review Organization (MRO); and, b) have completed an EPA-recognized training class for the ENERGY STAR program they will use to certify homes or apartments, as specified below. Each course includes a completion test with a passing grade of 80% of better. To begin and maintain a partnership with ENERGY STAR, an Energy Rating Company must identify staff who hold one of these designations and have earned a training certificate. 

Current training providers include:

• RESNET-Approved Training Providers (Approved trainings list)
• Building Science Institute, Ltd. Co.
• CHEERS

Accredited training providers have access to unique ENERGY STAR training resources through their My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA). Training providers can also reach out to the Residential New Construction team to gain access to these resources.

Organizations that do not maintain these qualifications will not be permitted to certify homes or apartments as ENERGY STAR, and will not have access to program benefits including use of the ENERGY STAR name and marks, listing on the ENERGY STAR Partner Locator, and receiving credit for ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments.

Required training by ENERGY STAR program:

• Single-Family:
  • ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3 / 3.1 training or
  • ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Caribbean Version 3 training
    • For individuals who will primarily be working in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is recommended that they complete training using these materials instead of the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3 / 3.1 materials.
• Multifamily:
  • ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3 / 3.1 training, and
  • ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) Version 1 training (to certify MFNC projects on or after January 1, 2020) 
    • View the current list of MFNC trained raters.

All of the above-listed trainings present the technical content of each program’s Rater Design Review Checklist and Rater Field Checklist. The training takes the trainee through each section of the checklist, explaining how to verify each requirement and interpret any corresponding footnotes. Upon completing the training, raters will have a solid understanding of how to verify and complete the checklists they are responsible for in the ENERGY STAR certification process.

New Energy Rating Companies must submit their raters' ENERGY STAR training certificates to EPA as part of their Online Partnership Agreement. Current ENERGY STAR partners who wish to submit new/additional training certificates may email them directly to energystarhomes@energystar.gov. Alternatively, Training Providers may submit batches of certificates on behalf of Raters after holding a training using the above email address. However, it is the responsibility of each Energy Rating Company and, ultimately, the Home Certification Organization under which they operate, to ensure raters have met all training requirements and maintain documentation of completed training. 

Become a Partner!

Becoming an ENERGY STAR partner is easy. Simply fill out an ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement. There is no cost to partner with ENERGY STAR or use ENERGY STAR promotional materials. New homes and apartments, certified through the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes or ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction program, are subject to oversight by an EPA-recognized Home Certification Organization (HCO) or Multifamily Review Organization (MRO).