Requirements for DOE Efficient New Homes Certification
Effective Dates: The effective dates for DOE Efficient New Homes program versions are established in the “DOE Efficient New Homes Program Version Effective Dates” table below. To be eligible for the 45L Tax Credit, homes must be certified to the program version in effect according to this table at the Permit Date (or Production Date for Manufactured Homes), as defined in the program requirements document corresponding to the building type. For further information about DOE Efficient New Homes and the 45L tax credit, see: Section 45L Tax Credits for DOE Efficient New Homes, IRS Guidance for Taxpayers on the Section 45L New Energy Efficient Home Credit, and IRS Notice 2023-65.
The definition of "permit date" for different program versions and revisions is located in each respective set of program requirements.
DOE Efficient New Homes | Program Version Effective Dates
NATIONAL (EXCEPT CALIFORNIA)
| Single Family National | Multifamily National | Required for Use, if Home or Unit's Permit Date is on/after this Date |
| Version 1 (Rev. 7) | Version 1 (Rev. 7) | 6/1/2019 |
| Buildings up to 5 stories only | ||
| Version 1 (Rev. 8) | Version 1 (Rev. 8) | 1/1/2023 |
| Buildings up to 5 stories only | ||
| Single Family Version 2 (Rev. 1) | Version 1 (Rev. 9.0) A | 1/1/2024 |
| Single Family Version 2 (Rev. 2) | Multifamily Version 2 (Rev. 1) | 1/1/2025 |
| Single Family Version 2 (Rev. 3) | Multifamily Version 2 (Rev. 2) | 1/1/2026 |
| A. Multifamily buildings of any height certified under Version 1 (Rev. 9) are deemed to meet the certification requirements for Version 1 (Rev. 8) where that revision is required. | ||
CALIFORNIA ONLY
| Single Family California | Multifamily California | Required for Use if Home or Unit's Permit Date is on/after this Date |
| Version 1 (Rev. 7) | Version 1 (Rev. 7) | 10/1/2018 B |
| Buildings up to 5 stories only | ||
| Version 1 (Rev. 8) | Version 1 (Rev. 8) | 1/1/2023 B |
| Buildings up to 5 stories only | ||
| Single Family Version 2 | Multifamily Version 2 C | 1/1/2024 |
| Single Family Version 2 (Rev. 1) | Multifamily Version 2 (Rev. 1) | 1/1/2025 |
| Single Family Version 2 (Rev. 2) | Multifamily Version 2 (Rev. 2) | 1/1/2026 |
| B. If both plan approval and permit date are not on/after this date, the prior revision may be used. | ||
| C. Multifamily buildings of any height certified under CA Multifamily Version 2 are deemed to meet the certification requirements for CA Version 2 (Rev. 8) where that version/revision is required. | ||
MANUFACTURED HOMES
| Specifications apply nationally, including California | Required for Use, if Home's Production Date is on/after this Date |
| Manufactured Homes Version 1 (Pilot) | 1/1/2023 |
| Manufactured Homes Version 1 (Rev. 1) | 1/1/2026 (publication forthcoming) |
Implementation of New Versions and Revisions: New program versions (i.e., Single Family Version 2) and revisions to program versions (i.e., Version 1, Revision 9) may optionally be used earlier than the required date once they are issued by DOE. A project certified under a newer program version or revision is also deemed to meet the certification requirements of corresponding earlier (older) versions or revisions. Projects must meet all building eligibility requirements (type and location) as stated in the program documents applicable to the version and revision used for certification.
Stay Up to Date with New Program Versions: Partners should subscribe to the DOE Efficient New Homes newsletter for updates about the development of new program versions and revisions.
Builders and Developers: The first step to building a certified DOE Efficient New Home is to register as a partner. Please visit the Partner Central page for more information.
Raters and Verifiers: All DOE Efficient New Homes must be certified by a third-party verifier. See Recognized Certification Organizations for DOE Efficient New Homes for more details.
Software Approved for Use with the DOE Efficient New Homes Program
| Software Version(s) | Date of DOE Approval Notice1 | To be used with DOE Efficient New Homes Program Version(s)2 | HCO(s) for DOE Associated with Software |
| Ekotrope | |||
| 4.0.0 - 4.2.0 | 9/21/2023 | Single Family Version 2; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 1; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 2 | RESNET |
| 4.2.1 | 1/17/2024 | Single Family Version 2; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 1; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 2 | RESNET |
| 4.0.0 - 4.2.2 | 1/18/2024 | Multifamily Version 2; Multifamily Version 2, Rev. 1 | RESNET |
| 5.0.0 | 3/10/2025 | Single Family Version 2; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 1; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 2; Multifamily Version 2; Multifamily Version 2, Rev. 1 | RESNET |
| 5.1.0 | 5/5/2025 | Single Family Version 2; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 1; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 2; Multifamily Version 2; Multifamily Version 2, Rev. 1 | RESNET |
| EnergyGauge USA | |||
| 8.1 | 12/1/2023 | Single Family Version 2; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 1; Single Family Version 2, Rev. 2 | RESNET |
- The date in this column is the date of the DOE Approval Notice. The effective date when a software version can be used for DOE Efficient New Homes certifications is the date when the software version was released (not in beta), unless noted otherwise. This effective date may occur earlier than the Date of DOE Approval.
- The DOE Efficient New Homes Program Versions noted in this column refer to the National program versions (not California), unless stated otherwise.