DOE-recognized Certification Organizations implement and maintain the integrity of the DOE Efficient New Homes certification process. This includes certification administration and documentation, quality assurance, and education and training of raters. DOE-recognized Certification Organizations will be listed on this webpage as they are reviewed and recognized.
DOE has recognized the following organizations as Home Certification Organizations for DOE Efficient New Homes (HCOs for DOE):
| National, except California | California Only |
|---|---|
| CHEERS |
DOE has recognized the following organizations as Multifamily Review Organizations for DOE Efficient New Homes (MROs for DOE):
| National, except California | California Only |
|---|---|
| CHEERS |
For projects certified under Version 1 Rev. 8, raters must work under an EPA-recognized Home Certification Organization (HCO) rather than an HCO for DOE.
DOE recognizes three different types of Certification Organizations:
- Home Certification Organizations for DOE Efficient New Homes (HCOs for DOE)
- Multifamily Review Organizations for DOE Efficient New Homes (MROs for DOE)
- Manufactured Homes Quality Assurance Providers for DOE Efficient New Homes (MH QA Providers for DOE)
Because DOE Efficient New Homes program requirements include prerequisite requirements for ENERGY STAR certification, only EPA-recognized HCOs, MROs, or Manufactured Homes QA Providers may apply for recognition as HCOs for DOE, MROs for DOE, or MH QA Providers for DOE. Qualifying organizations that wish to become DOE-recognized Certification Organizations may apply according to the processes described below.
Apply to Become a DOE-Recognized Certification Organization
Home Certification Organizations for DOE Efficient New Homes
HCOs for DOE oversee the following:
- All Version 1, Revision 9.0 certifications that use the ERI path.
- All Single Family National Version 2 certifications.
- All Multifamily National Version 2 certifications that use the ERI path.
- All Single Family for California Version 2 certifications.
- All Multifamily for California Version 2 certifications of low-rise multifamily buildings, as defined by California's 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
To apply for recognition as an HCO for DOE, please complete and submit the following documents by email to DOE at ZERH@doe.gov.
HCO for DOE Certification System
HCO for DOE Certification Protocol
Quality Assurance Checklists for HCOs for DOE
Single Family
HCO for DOE Single Family Quality Assurance Checklist and Certification Review, Revision 2(for use with Single Family Version 2, Revision 2)
HCO for DOE Single Family Quality Assurance Checklist and Certification Review, Revision 1 (for use with Single Family Version 2, Revision 1)
HCO for DOE Single Family Quality Assurance Checklist and Certification Review (for use with Single Family Version 2)
Multifamily
HCO for DOE Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist, Revision 1(for use with Multifamily Version 2, Revision 1)
Photo Documentation Guidance, Revision 1(for use with Multifamily Version 2, Revision 1)
HCO for DOE Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist (for use with Multifamily Version 2)
HCO and MRO for DOE Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist(for use with Version 1, Revision 9.0)
Rater Training Requirements
Based on the HCO for DOE Certification System (see above), HCOs for DOE ensure that Raters have the appropriate credentials and training to certify DOE Efficient New Homes projects. For each DOE Efficient New Homes program version, Raters are required to take a set of training modules and associated assessments prior to completing their first inspection on a project. These modules and assessments are administered, tracked, and recorded by HCOs for DOE. As new training modules are developed and required for different DOE Efficient New Homes specifications, Raters must complete them according to the chart below.
DOE Efficient New Homes Program Version Required Training Modules/Assessments Date Launched by DOE Transition Period* Single Family Version 2 (National and California) Version 2 Orientation Training (2023) 9/5/2023 9/5/2023 - 12/5/2023 Multifamily Version 2 (National and California) Version 2 Orientation Training (2023) 9/5/2023 11/15/2023 - 2/15/2024 Single Family Version 2 (National) Single Family Version 2 Training 4/10/2024 4/10/2024 - 8/1/2024 Single Family Version 2 (California) Single Family Version 2 (California) Training 8/15/2024 8/15/2024 - 11/15/2024 Single Family Version 2 (National and California) Single Family Version 2 2024 Revision Updates 11/15/2024 11/15/2024 - 2/15/2025 Multifamily Version 2 (National) Multifamily Version 2 Training (Module 1) 11/20/2024 11/20/2024 - 2/20/2025 Multifamily Version 2 (National) Multifamily Version 2 Training (Module 2) 12/31/2024 1/1/2025 - 4/1/2025 Single Family Version 2 and Multifamily Version 2 (National and California) Version 2 Orientation Training (2025) 5/1/2025 Supersedes 2023 version. Not required for raters who have already taken the 2023 version. * Raters certifying DOE Efficient New Homes projects must successfully complete this module/assessment on or before the end of the transition period. If a Rater has not completed the training by the end of this period, they are NOT eligible to inspect or certify DOE Efficient New Homes projects pending successful completion of this module and assessment.
Multifamily Review Organizations for DOE Efficient New Homes
MROs for DOE oversee the following:
- All Version 1, Revision 9.0 certifications that use the Prescriptive path.
- All Multifamily National Version 2 certifications that use the ASHRAE 90.1 or Prescriptive path.
- All Multifamily for California Version 2 certifications of high-rise multifamily buildings, as defined by California's 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
To apply for recognition as an MRO for DOE, please complete and submit the following documents by email to DOE at ZERH@doe.gov.
MRO for DOE Certification System and Application
Quality Assurance Checklists for MROs for DOE
HCO and MRO for DOE Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist(for use with Version 1, Revision 9.0)
MRO for DOE Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist(for use with Multifamily Version 2, Revision 1)
MRO for DOE Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist, Revision 2 (for use with DOE Efficient New Homes Multifamily Version 2, Revision 2)
Submittal Review Forms for Multifamily Version 2
Proposed Design Submittal Review Form
As-Built Submittal Review Form
Photo Documentation Guidance(for use with ZERH Multifamily Version 2, Revision 1)
Rater Training Requirements
Based on the MRO for DOE Certification System and Application (see above), MROs for DOE must confirm that Raters have the appropriate credentials and training to certify DOE Efficient New Homes projects. For each program version, Raters are required to take a set of training modules and associated assessments prior to completing their first inspection on a project. As new training modules are developed and required for different DOE Efficient New Homes specifications, Raters must complete them according to the chart below.
DOE Efficient New Homes Program Version Required Training Modules and Assessments Date Launched by DOE Transition Period* Multifamily Version 2 (National and California) Version 2 Orientation Training (2023) 9/5/2023 4/10/2024 - 8/1/2024 Multifamily Version 2 (National) Multifamily Version 2 Training (Module 1) 11/20/2024 11/20/2024 - 2/20/2025 Multifamily Version 2 (National and California) Version 2 Orientation Training (2025) 5/1/2025 Supersedes 2023 version. Not required for raters who have already taken the 2023 version. *Raters certifying DOE Efficient New Homes projects must successfully complete this module/assessment on or before the end of the transition period. If a Rater has not completed the training by the end of this period, they are NOT eligible to inspect or certify DOE Efficient New Homes projects pending successful completion of this module and assessment.
Manufactured Homes Quality Assurance Provider for DOE Efficient New Homes
For DOE Efficient New Manufactured Homes Version 1, plant and field verifications must be overseen by Manufactured Homes Quality Assurance Providers for DOE Efficient New Homes (MH QA Providers for DOE).
To apply for recognition as a Manufactured Homes QA Provider for DOE, please complete and submit the following documents by email to DOE at ZERH@doe.gov.
The application documents are under development by DOE and will be released soon.
Other Resources for Manufactured Homes QA Providers for DOE
For information regarding the DOE Efficient New Homes certification, enforcement, and reporting process and requirements for manufactured housing plants, see the DOE Efficient New Manufactured Homes V1: Certification, Enforcement, and Reporting Guide.