Inspections key to Energy Star program

Energy Star homes have increased in number valleywide, yet key to such homes is the third-party inspection process, according to members of Nevada Energy Star Partners. Such inspections verify a home's energy efficiency.

The Energy Star label on a new home means that it is at least 30 percent more efficient in heating, cooling and water heating than the national Model Energy Code, and that it has been certified so by a Home Energy Rating System provider.

First in the inspection process is a review of the construction plan, including insulation, windows, space conditioning and water heating equipment, as well as procedures for sealing ducts and the building envelope. The home energy rater uses this information to develop an energy analysis of the home's design and features, comparing the estimated heating, cooling and water heating energy consumption to that of the same home design with energy features specified by the Model Energy Code.

This analysis yields a proposed HERS rating for the proposed house. The rating is a score between 0 and 100, with the Model Energy Code reference house assigned a score of 80. Each 5 percent reduction in energy use (compared to the reference house) results in a one-point increase in the HERS score. Thus, an Energy Star labeled home, which is required to be at least 30 percent more energy efficient than the reference house, must achieve a HERS score of at least 86.

Once the home is completed, the third-party rater who helped determine the home's energy-efficiency features will verify that it was built according to specifications. An inspection of the home will measure its performance, and includes a blower door test to measures the home's envelope leakage, as well as a duct blaster test that locates any leaks or cracks in the ductwork. The results of the inspection and tests, along with information from the plan review, are entered into a computer to generate the HERS score and the home's estimated annual energy costs.

The final step in the rating process is approval. If the house performs at the level of HERS 86 or better, the third-party verifier will submit the home's rating information to the Environmental Protection Agency and the home can be labeled as Energy Star. If the house rates below 86, the reason for failure must be identified and corrected, with the third-party rater re-inspecting the home after corrections are made.

Builder members of Nevada Energy Star Partners include: American Premiere Homes, Astoria Homes, Beazer Homes, Carina Homes, Concordia Homes, Del Webb Communities, Desert Wind Homes, Distinctive Homes, Greystone Homes/Lennar, Hearthstone Homebuilders, Pardee Homes, Perma-Bilt Homes, Pulte Homes, R/S Development, Royal Construction/Spinnaker Homes and Signature Homes.

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