Title 24 HERS Verification

TITLE 24 HERS VERIFICATION AND TESTING

Your San Diego and Riverside Title 24 HERS Testing Experts!

A Title 24 HERS Verification is required for all major residential remodels, additions, and new construction. For these types of projects the HERS rater will review your Title 24 report found in the project plan set to identify the testing required.This calculation is required by the state of California, and must be completed before receiving a building permit. The Title 24 energy calculation/report is determined by your home’s various energy factors such as, fenestration, insulations, HVAC etc… The actual verification test is performed by a state-certified, third-party inspector called a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater.

Our Relevant Certifications

Our HERS Testing Certifications

Along with the typical HERS verifications Duct Blast, Cooling Coil Airflow, Refrigerant Charge Airflow, Fan Efficacy, the below verifications may also be necessary. These tests are mainly specific to construction projects and may be required by your T24 Energy Calculation.

Indoor Air Quality Mechanical Ventilation (IAQ)
Verified Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)/ Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
Quality Insulation Installation (QII)
Verified Duct Design
Building Envelope Air Leakage (blower-door)

Field Verifications

The below field verifications vary from job to job-based on the type of equipment installed. We perform the test best suited for your home during the Title 24 HERS Verification

We perform the tests best suited for your home

Indoor Air Quality Mechanical Ventilation (IAQ)

New homes or additions greater than 1000 sqft trigger the Indoor air quality ventilation measure. It requires installing a mechanical ventilation system that complies with the airflow rate required by the energy code. The airflow rate is specific to each home design and usually verified in the final stage of the project.

Verified Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)/ Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

The EER on an HVAC AC unit is the ratio of output cooling capacity in British Thermal Units (BTU). The BTUs are then divided into the electrical energy in watts at a given operating point. The seer rating is also a calculation of dividing the number of BTUs of heat removed from the air by the total amount of energy required by the AC in watts per hour. The only real difference between the two is the EER is a measurement of the efficiency of the ac unit, whereas the seer is that same measurement calculated for a season.

Quality Insulation Installation (QII)

The first step to verify the QII is to make sure that all plumbing, electric penetrations, rim joists, and cracks where air infiltration can be prevented are properly caulked and sealed with an approved rated material. This will be verified from walls, raised flooring, to attics. Once air infiltration prevention has been confirmed, the rater will make sure that insulation is installed correctly to maximize the full R-value of the assembly.

Verified Duct Design

This verification is a credit for a high-efficiency duct designed system. If this credit is taken, the HERS Rater will compare the duct design layout to the final installation. The duct design specifications and layout shall be included when submitted to the local enforcement agency. Once approved, a copy should be provided to the HERS Rater. This energy savings approach, typically applied when designing performance homes, is an all-around win. The benefits of a high-efficiency duct system are shorter duct runs, greater duct R-value, deep or deeply buried duct, and ducts in conditioned space.

Building Envelope Air Leakage (blower-door)

This test is commonly done, but not limited to newly constructed multifamily buildings. The blower door is used to verify the minimum building leakage rate has been met. The test can be applied in a couple of different ways during the construction process. If running the blower door in the rough frame stage is scheduled, there are a few things that must be verified. A walkthrough will be conducted verifying a complete wrap at the exterior shell, and windows have been installed and sealed. Also, the appropriate sealing of rim joists, sill plates, and penetrations through the exterior shell must be verified. Running the blower door in the final stage will include all the above and verifying the installation of all light fixtures, outlet covers, floor coverings throughout the home, and the finishing of the drywall.

What To Expect With an Energy Verification From CA Comfort Testing

When building or remodeling a home or business, the process can be complicated and stressful. City regulations, state requirements, lenders, attorneys, and the list goes on. We understand this. It is the exact reason we strive to make each interaction with our clients as simple and straightforward as possible. While the Title 24 HERS Verification process may seem like another hoop to jump through, your report is filled with valuable information about your home or business’s overall efficiency.

According to the online hers provider, Cheers, the state of California’s energy standards changes approximately every 3 years. Why is this important to you? By requiring a 3rd-party state certified expert from outside of your current contractors, you ensure the tests are honest and accurate. A HERS Rater will work directly with you and your contractor to examine the project to determine what specific tests will be required for verification.

Here are some helpful links related to HERS. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us, we’re here to help.

Energy code Ace is a simplified website that helps us navigate through the complicated process of Title 24 part 6.

The Energy Code Ace suite of tools is designed to help you identify the forms, installation techniques and standards relevant to building projects in California.

Energy Code Ace Training Courses target a wide range of “hot topic” measures and audience groups, and are provided in a variety of formats.

Energy code Ace Resources provides resources to help facilitate effective implementation of California’s building and appliance energy efficiency standards.

The California Energy Commission plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future – one that is clean, is modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive.

Here is where you can find current, past and future standards for both residential and commercial buildings.

Energy.gov has excellent resources when it comes to saving energy and money while creating building comfort.