I try to understand what is involved in becoming an Energy Star expert but at the end of the day, the only thing I really know is that the new refrigerator I’ve got my eye on has a Energy Star label on it. So, when I received this article about Debunking Energy Star from Justin Mackovyak, Complete Home Solutions, I knew I had to share with all modular home builders.
Debunking ENERGY STAR © Certification of Modular Homes
While there are a number of Green Programs for residential
new construction, I am a firm believer that ENERGY STAR is the best
bang-for-your-buck certification. ENERGY
STAR’s goals of energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and occupant safety are
met through third party verification, but boast lower admin costs when compared
to other certification programs.
Additionally, the Architect, Builder, and Homeowner are not penalized
for non-performance related material selections or the home’s physical
location. With the growing number of
federal, state, and local incentives for building energy efficient homes, it is
hard not to consider ENERGY STAR Certification when constructing a new
home.
However, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the
certification process of modular homes. I hope to debunk the process and offer
some best practice suggestions for obtaining the ENERGY STAR Certification for
your next modular project.
There are two main paths to obtaining certification of a
modular home. In both instances, the builder must be registered as an ENERGY
STAR Partner and must work with a certified HERS Rater who is also an ENERGY
STAR Partner.
STEP 1: Builder/Installer
becomes ENERGY STAR Partner
The builder/installer will need to demonstrate his or her
knowledge of the ENERGY STAR program and sign a partner agreement. This can be
completed at:
https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=opa.showPartnerRoles&p_code=HBUILDER
STEP 2: Builder/Installer
must work with HERS Rater who is registered as an ENERGY STAR Partner.
The ENERGY STAR website has a locator at the link below
which allows a quick search by region. This rater will be responsible for all
final site verifications and for submitting the necessary documentation to
their RESNET provider for the ENERGY STAR certificate.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=NEW_HOMES_PARTNERS.
Step 3 offers two separate
methods for obtaining certification based on the plant’s certification. The
builder/installer must find out if the plant is certified through the Systems
Research Building Alliance (SRBA). SRBA has a listing of their certified plants
at the link below:
http://www.research-alliance.org
SRBA has a process that has been approved by the EPA for
ENERGY STAR Certifications of modular home plants. Since this article is geared
more towards the builder/installer process, we will leave that for another
time.
STEP 3a: Modular
Plant is NOT certified through Systems Building Research Alliance.
The plant must have a certified HERS rater on staff who is
an ENERGY STAR partner OR the builder/installer’s rater make the trip to the
plant to verify all pre-drywall requirements of the Thermal Enclosure Checklist
and HVAC Quality Install Rater Checklist are met. The unit must have a unique
identifier (such as serial number) to ensure that the home at the plant is the
home that ends up on site.
STEP 3b: Modular
Plant IS certified through Systems Building Research Alliance.
The plant will issue an ENERGY STAR label to each unit with
a unique identifier that indicates to the field inspector that all ENERGY STAR
requirements have been met.
Regardless of which path you take, it is important to
understand that the homes are only “ENERGY STAR Certified” after they are
inspected and verified on site and receive the blue ENERGY STAR Certified Home
Label.
STEP 4: On-site rater
completes final inspection to ensure that home meets ENERGY STAR
Requirements.
Once the home passes final inspection, the rater submits the
REMRate file and all necessary documentation to their HERS Provider for the
ENERGY STAR Certificate. By having your field verifier as the primary rater on
the project, he or she is able to adjust the final REMRate model for site
conditions eliminating any delays in getting certification.
Which Guidelines Should I Use?
Currently the EPA has mandated that modular homes ordered
before December 31, 2013 can follow ENERGY STAR 2.5 guidelines. Homes ordered
after January 1st must follow ENERGY STAR 3.0 requirements.
Are there builder incentives?
Aside from excellent marketing opportunities, there are a
number of federal, state, and local incentive programs available for building
energy efficient homes. Some of these programs require ENERGY STAR
certification. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
is a comprehensive source of information on incentives that support energy
efficiency. That page is located at the link below:
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If you haven’t considered constructing ENERGY STAR Certified
Modular homes, now may be the time to consider. As building codes become more
stringent and consumers demand more efficiency, ENERGY STAR may be the program
that sets you apart from the competition.
In addition to being a Maryland-based builder, I’ve worked
as technical support in a number of the utility-based incentive programs that
require ENERGY STAR Certifications. I have found that builders who have been working
with raters and certifying homes have struggled less transitioning into the
2012 IECC. As more and more states begin adopting the 2012 IECC, earning the
ENERGY STAR label can be your ticket to success.
Justin Mackovyak is currently the operations manager for the
D.C. Metro-based Complete Home Solutions (CHS). He is a licensed Home Improvement Contractor, HERS Rater,
Envelope Specialist. Prior to joining CHS, Justin worked as the Quality
Assurance Manager for a number of the Maryland Utility-based ENERGY STAR
Certified New Homes Programs through ICF International.
