What is a BUILT TO SAVE® Verified Home?
A BUILT TO SAVE® verified home is a newly constructed house that undergoes thorough inspections and testing by a third-party RESNET home energy Rater both during the construction process and after its completion. This process ensures that the home meets the strict performance requirements of the BUILT TO SAVE® program, qualifying it as a high-performance home. Benefits of such homes include reduced utility bills compared to standard code-compliant homes, enhanced comfort, superior construction quality, and improved indoor air quality.
How to Identify a BUILT TO SAVE® Verified Home
To confirm that a home is BUILT TO SAVE® verified, you can:
- Ask the builder if the home has been certified by BUILT TO SAVE®. Builders receive certificates for homebuyers.
- Go to our Database of Certified Homes to search for the home’s address. If the address is not listed, you can contact info@BuiltToSave.org for further assistance.
Timing for Verification
A home can only be verified if a pre-drywall inspection is possible. This inspection ensures compliance with program standards. Ideally, the verification process should begin at the planning stage, even before construction starts, with a detailed review of floorplans, elevations, and Manual J. An independent home energy Rater, hired by the builder, conducts these reviews and inspections.
Issuance of the BUILT TO SAVE® Certificate
The BUILT TO SAVE® certificate is issued after the program receives the completed checklists, inspection photos, and testing results from the Rater.
Verification Fees for Builders
The cost for builders to secure BUILT TO SAVE® verification is $205 per home. This fee includes the certificate for the homebuyer and a decal with whole-house systems information for the utility box panel. Builders can offset this cost with rebates ranging from $200 to $700 offered by Magic Valley Electric Coop and AEP Texas companies. The Rater’s fee for inspections and final testing is typically around $450, which should be included in the builder’s budget. Builders must also pay an annual membership fee of $175 to be part of the BUILT TO SAVE® program.
Criteria for BUILT TO SAVE® Verification
To qualify, a home must meet criteria on the Rater’s checklists, such as a well-sealed building envelope, energy-efficient windows, correctly installed insulation, appropriately sized HVAC systems, and a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Score of 63 or lower. Alternatively, the home can qualify if its energy efficiency is at least 5-10% better than minimum code requirements. Builders must be registered members of the BUILT TO SAVE® program and request verification online.
Understanding the HERS Score
The HERS score is a nationally recognized metric for measuring a home’s energy efficiency. A lower HERS score indicates higher energy efficiency. This score is determined by a certified RESNET Energy Rater using specialized software and equipment after the home is completed. The Rater works with the builder throughout the construction process to improve the home’s energy efficiency and achieve a low HERS score.
Comprehensive Testing and Inspections
The RESNET Energy Rater conducts multiple inspections, including:
- Post-insulation but pre-drywall inspection to verify proper insulation installation and identify potential air leaks.
- Final inspections, including a blower door test to measure air tightness and a duct test to assess duct system leakage. These tests, combined with software analysis, project the home’s energy efficiency performance and confirm adherence to BUILT TO SAVE® standards.
Assurance of Energy Efficiency
An independent third-party verification is essential to ensure a home is truly energy-efficient. A BUILT TO SAVE® certificate guarantees that the home will save more on utilities, provide better comfort, and improve indoor air quality compared to a standard code-compliant home. Additionally, having this certificate adds value if you decide to sell your home.
Become A BUILT TO SAVE® Builder
BUILT TO SAVE® program doesn’t require the builder to jump through hoops to meet extensive construction requirements or focus on non-energy saving items that would be more appropriate for building “green.” The program also provides generous incentives from Magic Valley Electric Coop (MVEC) to the builders for homes in MVEC territory that can be used to offset the cost of inspections.
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