About Energy Raters
E-Star™ Home Energy Raters are independent contractors
certified by E-Star who work for builders, homeowners, or
homebuyers and measure the energy performance of homes. The
Raters investigate and test all the features of a home that
influence the thermal aspects of its energy performance (for
example, space heating and cooling, and hot water heating). The
result is an E-Star Energy Rating report that provides valuable
information about a home’s energy performance and how its energy
efficiency can be improved.
The E-Star Energy Rating
Ratings provides a relative energy use index called the HERS
Index – a HERS Index of 100 represents the energy use of the
“American Standard Building” and an Index of 0 (zero) indicates
that the Proposed Building uses no net purchased energy (a Zero
Energy Building). As a uniform
measure of residential energy performance, an E-Star Energy
Rating serves as a miles-per-gallon sticker for homes. In
addition to the energy-efficiency score, E-Star Energy Ratings
include property-specific recommendations for cost-effective
energy improvements. E-Star Energy Ratings can be performed
on new and existing homes of almost every construction type
and style.
On-site Evaluation. Each E-Star Energy Rating includes
a thorough, on-site evaluation of a home's energy features.
A Rater certified by the E-Star program spends several hours
in the home collecting data about the thermal performance
of the building envelope, the solar orientation of the structure,
and the efficiency of the mechanical system. The Rater gathers
more than 200 pieces of data on items such as the R-values
of insulation and windows and the delivery efficiency of space
and hot water heating systems. In addition, the tightness
of a home against infiltration from unconditioned air is quantified
in each E-Star Energy Rating through a blower
door test.
Computer Analysis. Finally, the data is sent through
proprietary E-Star software that calculates the energy efficiency
of the home as a system. The result of the rating is an E-Star
Energy Rating Report that provides the 0-to-100 point score,
efficiency levels of the major aspects of the home, and, in
the case of existing homes, recommendations about how efficiency
levels can be increased.
E-Star Energy Raters
E-Star Energy Raters. Individuals who choose to become E-Star
Energy Raters must have several years of experience in the
homebuilding, real estate, or energy industries. To become
an Energy Rater, an individual attends a rigorous training
course that includes supervised, hands-on work in the field.
Raters maintain their certification through the E-Star program
by keeping up to date on the latest developments in construction
techniques and energy-efficiency evaluation practices. On-staff
technical experts continually evaluate the work of Raters.
Annually, the business practices and technical competency
of each Rater are thoroughly reviewed.
Small Business Support
E-Star Home Energy Raters are a diverse population of entrepreneurial
individuals who are passionate about energy-efficiency and
conservation, have experience in construction, and enjoy the
freedom of being a small business owner. Some are full-time
Raters while others do ratings on a part time basis. Combined
with the freedom of self-employment is support received from
the E-Star program. E-Star Raters enjoy many types of small-business
support from E-Star.
Getting Started. The E-Star program is established
and accredited. E-Star trains and certifies Raters, providing
how-to manuals, supporting documents, forms, and requirements
for running the business and maintaining certification. Raters
can take the ball and run with it.
Administrative Help. Raters use the E-Star software,
input data, and let E-Star staff send energy ratings, charts,
additional information, and certifications to clients.
Technical Support. E-Star is available to help with
issues relating to its proprietary software, and provides
resources for Raters ranging from industry publications to
the support of technical experts at E-Star regarding energy
efficiency and Home Energy Ratings issues.
E-Star Marketing Materials. Raters can order brochures
and other marketing materials to use in promoting their small
business.
Marketing Through E-Star. E-Star Raters are listed
on the E-Star Web site, and E-Star staff provides builders
or homeowners who call in for ratings with contact information
of E-Star Raters.
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