Multifamily New Construction Certification Process

There are three paths to earning the ENERGY STAR for multifamily new construction projects. Builders/developers may choose:

  1. ERI Path: Use an approved rating tool software to determine unit-by-unit energy savings based on the ERI target (or savings above Title 24 in California) and follow a prescriptive package of energy efficient measures developed by EPA in common spaces; OR
  2. ASHRAE Path: Use an energy modeling software approved to determine energy cost savings of the building’s energy efficient design compared to ASHRAE (or Title 24 in California); OR
  3. Prescriptive Path: Use a prescriptive package of energy efficient measures developed by EPA. (Not available in California)

Regardless of which path is chosen, each building must meet certain minimum mandatory requirements, and these are verified in the field by an approved Rater.

The step-by-step graphic below illustrates the process that eligible multifamily buildings follow to earn the ENERGY STAR. Visit the ENERGY STAR Technical Bulletins page to learn more about each of these steps, including A Rater's Guide to the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program Paths (PDF, 234 KB).

Step 1: Join

Builders, Developers, Raters, ASHRAE Path Modelers, and Functional Testing Agents (“FT Agents”) must meet the following requirements prior to certifying multifamily buildings:

Builders/Developers: A builder/developer signs a Partnership Agreement with EPA acknowledging their roles and responsibilities as a partner and documenting their commitment to meet the MFNC Program Requirements.

Raters: Energy Rating Companies must have at least one individual on staff who is a certified rater, approved inspector, or an equivalent designation as determined by a Home Certification Organization (HCO) or Multifamily Review Organization (MRO) and has completed the required training through a HCO-accredited training provider. An Energy Rating Company signs a Partnership Agreement with EPA acknowledging their roles and responsibilities as a partner and documenting their intent to provide the energy analysis and/or on-site inspections/testing for site-built ENERGY STAR certified multifamily units, under the oversight of an EPA-recognized HCO or MRO. MFNC Version 1 trained raters are listed on the Energy Rating Companies page.

Functional Testing (“FT”) Agents: Professionals must hold EPA-recognized credentials and, unless they are an HVAC Credentialed Contractor, must complete the ENERGY STAR MFNC online orientation. Recognized Functional Testing Agents are listed in the Functional Testing Agent Directory or the HVAC Credentialed Contractor directories.

ASHRAE Path Energy Modelers: Energy modelers must complete the ENERGY STAR MFNC online orientation. Recognized ASHRAE Modelers are listed in the ASHRAE Modeler Directory. This is not required for energy modelers using Title 24 compliant software for whole-building energy models.

Note: Unlike the MFHR program, there is no Project Application required for the MFNC program.

Step 2: Design

All projects seeking ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction certification are required to meet certain mandatory requirements. These requirements impose certain constraints on the efficiency measures selected (e.g., insulation levels, insulation installation quality, window performance, duct leakage). Mandatory requirements apply to all dwelling units, sleeping units, and common spaces in the building. They do not apply to commercial or retail space.

Mandatory requirements are listed in the following program checklists and reports:

Design Verification Documents
Rater Design Review Checklist A Rater Verified checklist completed in the design phase. This checklist covers items related to partnership, high-performance fenestration and insulation, and HVAC design review. It also includes an optional construction document review section to assist Raters with ensuring that the design also meets the requirements of the Rater Field checklist.
Rater Field Checklist While this is not required to be submitted during design, the building should be designed to meet all requirements listed in this checklist.
HVAC Design Report A Designer Verified checklist completed in the design phase. This report represents the system design for all unique unit plans and common spaces. This checklist covers items related to HVAC design, mechanical ventilation, heating & cooling loads, equipment selection, duct design, and duct quality installation.
Water Management System Requirements It is the responsibility of the builder/developer to ensure that each multifamily building meets these requirements. This list covers items related to water-managed site and foundation, wall assembly, roof assembly, and building materials.
Multifamily Workbook An Excel-based tool that offers spreadsheet versions of the two Rater Checklists, dwelling unit and common area testing results spreadsheets, and spreadsheets to demonstrate compliance with envelope, domestic hot water, lighting, and HVAC requirements. The Multifamily Workbook is used by Multifamily Review Organizations (MROs) to review mandatory requirements in projects following the ASHRAE Path or Prescriptive Path. The Multifamily Workbook is optional for projects following the ERI Path.

In addition to the meeting certain mandatory requirements, the project must meet a performance target using one of the three paths. Each path has varying levels of flexibility to select a custom combination of measures for each project. Project teams can promote their multifamily projects by using the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR mark.

Depending on the chosen path, the project team should complete the following at the design phase:

Project Team Actions at Design Phase
ERI Path

Conduct energy modeling to ensure that project design meets or exceeds the ERI Target. (In California, units need to meet the required % savings above the Compliance Total or the required Delta Energy Design Rating points). Complete the Rater Design Checklist and HVAC Design Report.
ASHRAE Path

Conduct energy modeling to ensure that project design achieves the required savings over ASHRAE 90.1 (or over Title 24 in California). Submit project Proposed Design Submittal to an EPA-approved MRO. The Proposed Design Submittal includes the following documents (unless otherwise specified by the MRO).

  • Rater Design Checklist (standalone OR included in MF Workbook)
  • HVAC Design Report
  • MF Workbook with Design components completed
  • ASHRAE Path Calculator (Or California Compliance Report in CA)
  • Model Input/Output Reports or Model Files
  • Construction Documents
Prescriptive Path

Ensure the design meets all the mandatory requirements for Prescriptive Path projects outlined in the Rater Design and Field Checklists. Submit project Proposed Design Submittal to an EPA-approved MRO. The Proposed Design Submittal includes the following documents (unless otherwise specified by the MRO).

  • Rater Design Checklist (standalone OR included in MF Workbook)
  • HVAC Design Report
  • MF Workbook with Design components completed
  • Construction Documents
(Note: This path is not available in California)
Step 3: Build

Builder/Developer constructs the project with the mandatory requirements and the measures described by the project design to achieve the performance target. Throughout the construction process, a number of inspections and diagnostic tests are required to verify proper installation of the selected energy-efficient features and overall energy performance of the project.

Mandatory requirements are listed in the following program checklists and reports:

Construction Verification Documents
Rater Field Checklist A Rater Verified checklist completed in the construction phase. This checklist covers items related to thermal enclosure, HVAC system, duct quality installation, domestic hot water, lighting, and whole-building energy data acquisition.
HVAC Functional Testing Checklist An FT Agent Verified checklist completed in the construction phase. This checklist covers items related to HVAC functional testing of dwelling unit and common space systems, refrigerant charge, indoor HVAC fan airflow, air balancing, testing of indoor/terminal units, and functional testing of central VRF outdoors units, central boilers, cooling towers, and chillers.
Water Management System Requirements It is the responsibility of the builder/developer to ensure that each multifamily building meets these requirements. This list covers items related to water-managed site and foundation, wall assembly, roof assembly, and building materials.
Multifamily Workbook An Excel-based tool that offers spreadsheet versions of the two Rater Checklists, dwelling unit and common area testing results spreadsheets, and spreadsheets to demonstrate compliance with envelope, domestic hot water, lighting, and HVAC requirements. The Multifamily Workbook is used by Multifamily Review Organizations (MROs) to review mandatory requirements in projects following the ASHRAE Path or Prescriptive Path. The Multifamily Workbook is optional for projects following the ERI Path.
Step 4: Certification

All ENERGY STAR certifications are subject to the oversight of a Multifamily Oversight Organization, which include Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) or Multifamily Review Organizations (MROs). After the final inspection, the Rater must submit all documentation to a Multifamily Oversight Organization to ensure that the program prerequisites and energy conservation measures are installed to specification.

Depending on the chosen path, the project team should complete the following upon construction completion:

Project Team Actions upon Construction Completion
ERI Path Update energy rating based on conditions verified during project construction to ensure that project meets or exceeds the ERI (or Title 24) target. Register each unit in the project with the EPA-approved HCO (e.g., RESNET).
ASHRAE Path

Update energy model based on conditions verified during project construction to ensure that project achieves the required savings over ASHRAE 90.1 (or Title 24 in California). Submit project As-Built Submittal to an EPA-approved MRO.

  • Rater Field Checklist (standalone OR included in MF Workbook)
  • HVAC Functional Testing Checklist
  • MF Workbook
  • ASHRAE Path Calculator (Or California Compliance Report in CA)
  • Model Input/Output Reports or Model Files
  • Photo Documentation
Prescriptive Path

Submit project As-Built Submittal to an EPA-approved MRO. The As-Built Submittal includes the following documents (unless otherwise specified by the MRO).

  • Rater Field Checklist (standalone OR included in MF Workbook)
  • HVAC Functional Testing Checklist
  • MF Workbook
  • Photo Documentation

(Note: This path is not available in California)
Step 5: Marketing and Labeling

Once the submittal has been approved, the oversight organization will provide documentation to the builder/developer notifying them that the units in the project have earned the ENERGY STAR.

Each certified unit must be issued a completed ENERGY STAR certification label to be affixed to the circuit breaker box (or other suitable location) and an ENERGY STAR certificate. Certificates and labels are issued to the Rater by their Provider or MROs. Whole building certificates are available to certified projects upon request. Projects may also purchase ENERGY STAR plaques for their certified buildings to promote their project’s achievement. For more promotional opportunities, visit the Marketing Resources page.