HERS and Title 24
For many residential projects one or more HERS verifications will be required. A HERS verification is an inspection and/or diagnostic testing performed by a special third-party inspector called a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater. HERS verifications are mandatory for nearly all new homes and existing homes where new or replacement HVAC systems or ductwork are installed. Some HERS verifications can optionally be used in conjunction with the performance approach to achieve extra compliance credit. This can be helpful if, for example, a proposed residence has an unusually large amount of glass and no overhangs or when a residential project needs to exceed the Title 24 baseline standard by 15% or more. If HERS verifications are required they will be listed on the CF-1R compliance form. Before submittal to a building department the CF-1R compliance form must be uploaded to an online HERS registry for registration and stamping.
A HERS rater is certified to perform the field verification and diagnostic testing that may be required to demonstrate and document compliance with the energy standards. HERS raters receive special training in diagnostic techniques and building science as part of the HERS rater certification process administered by the HERS provider. HERS raters are considered special inspectors by enforcement agencies and shall demonstrate competence, to the satisfaction of the enforcement agency, to conduct the required visual inspections and diagnostic testing of the regulated energy efficiency features installed in the dwelling. HERS raters cannot be employees of the builder or contractor whose work they are verifying. Also, HERS raters cannot have financial interest in the builder’s or contractor’s business, or advocate or recommend the use of any product or service that they are verifying.
Following is a complete list of all Title 24 HERS residential energy efficiency measures. One or more of these field verifications or diagnostic tests may be required in order to meet the mandatory requirements or receive performance compliance credit. When these measures are required they will be listed on the CF-1R compliance form.
- Duct Sealing
- Supply Duct Location, Surface Area and R-Value
- Low Leakage Ducts in Conditioned Space
- Low Leakage Air Handlers
- Verification of Return Duct Design
- Verification of Air Filter Device Design
- Verification of Bypass Duct Prohibition
- Refrigerant Charge in ducted Split System and ducted Packaged Unit Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps, and mini-split systems
- Refrigerant Charge Indicator Display (CID)
- Verified System Airflow
- Air Handler Fan Efficacy
- Verified Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
- Verified Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
- Maximum Rated Total Cooling Capacity
- Evaporatively Cooled Condensers
- Ice Storage Air Conditioners
- Continuous Whole-Building Mechanical Ventilation Airflow
- Intermittent Whole-Building Mechanical Ventilation Airflow
- Building Envelope Air Leakage
- High Quality Insulation Installation (QII)
- Quality Insulation Installation for Spray Polyurethane Foam
- PV Field Verification Protocol
- Verified Pipe Insulation Credit
- Verified Parallel Piping
- Verified Compact Hot Water Distribution System
- Verified Point of Use
- Demand Recirculation: Manual Control
- Demand Recirculation: Sensor Control
- Multiple Recirculation Loop Design for DHW Systems Serving Multiple Dwelling Units
(Excerpted from the CEC Title 24 Residential Compliance Manual)