Home Energy Audits

The Hayes Company currently has 2 certified HERS Raters.

• We can help you test energy efficiency, home performance and air infiltration on a whole house basis.
• We can help the builders to earn Federal Income Tax Credit of $2000.00 on their newly built multi-family unit or single family home.
• We can help builders to meet Energy Star requirements for their homes.

Testing Energy Efficiency

The Hayes Company is one of the few local companies that can rate a house, apartment or office on energy performance using various tests. These tests give measures of performance that show areas in which energy efficiency can be used.

Blower Door Test
The Blower Door Test uses a fan to pressurize the house and then measure the air infiltration out of the house.

Duct Blaster Test
The Duct Blaster Test uses a similar system to the Blower Door Test to test air leakage in the ducts.

Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Test
The HERS Test includes both the Blower Door Test and the duct blaster test, but it is much more comprehensive. The test is performed using computerized software which gives a rating based on inputs generated by a certified HERS rater. These inputs are taken from a wide variety of areas in the house including: appliances, HVAC, windows, building plan, home orientation, etc. The HERS test can be used by builders to earn an energy star rating or to qualify for an income tax credit. The HERS test can be used by the homeowner to improve energy efficiency or to qualify for an energy efficient mortgage.

To find out more visit: Resnet Home Page

The Builder Option Package (BOPs)
The BOP is a substitute for doing an entire HERS test on a new house. The BOPs are government specifications for recommended building products in order to meet specific energy codes such as Energy Star or to get Federal Tax Credits. Constructing a home to BOP specifications negates the need for a full HERS rating. However, third-party verification that BOP requirements have been met is still necessary by a certified HERS rater. Similar to HERS ratings, BOP ratings typically entail at least one on-site inspection of the home to perform both a Duct Blaster and Blower Door Test. However, unlike the HERS rating, the scores derived from these tests are compared with the pre-determined specification of the BOP to either pass or fail the house as an ENERGY STAR qualified new home. Every city has its own set of BOP's.

These can be accessed here: Local Builder Option Packages

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New Homes Federal Tax Credit

Under the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005, builders can qualify for a tax credit of $2,000 per home for improving the energy efficiency of new homes.

Improving energy efficiency can be done using standard construction methods simply by improving the levels of insulation and other elements of the building envelope and enhancing major systems.

The energy efficiency tax credit is in effect for homes built between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2009.

• Qualified homes will provide a level of heating and cooling at least 50 percent below the 2004 Supplement to the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
• The building envelope alone must provide 10 percent of the 50 percent improvement.
• The tax credit goes directly to builders who can receive credit for every home constructed that meets eligibility requirements. There is no limit to the number of homes that can qualify.
• Homes must be tested for whole-house air leakage and duct leakage by a Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) certified rater, and the documentation, including test reports and computer analysis, must be certified by a RESNET accredited provider.

Visit the IRS page for more information regarding the tax credit.

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Energy Star

Energy Star is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy's joint initiative to promote energy efficiency in new homes, existing homes, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings. To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These tests must be performed by a certified RESNET rater.

These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes. Any home three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR label if it has been verified to meet EPA's guidelines.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution:

1. Effective Insulation
2. High-Performance Windows
3. Tight Construction and Ducts
4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
5. Efficient Products - (lighting fixtures, ventilation fans, and appliances,etc)
6. Third-Party Verification

Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.

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