DOE-recognized ZERH Certification Organizations implement and maintain the integrity of the ZERH certification process. This includes certification administration and documentation, quality assurance, and education and training of raters. DOE-recognized ZERH 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 the Zero Energy Ready Home Program (HCOs for ZERH):
| National, except California | California Only |
|---|---|
| CHEERS |
DOE has recognized the following organizations as Multifamily Review Organizations for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program (MROs for ZERH):
| National, except California | California Only |
|---|---|
| CHEERS |
For projects certified under ZERH Version 1 Rev. 8, raters must work under an EPA-recognized Home Certification Organization (HCO) rather than an HCO for ZERH.
DOE recognizes three different types of ZERH Certification Organizations:
- Home Certification Organizations for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program (HCOs for ZERH)
- Multifamily Review Organizations for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program (MROs for ZERH)
- Manufactured Homes Quality Assurance Providers for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program (MH QA Providers for ZERH)
Because ZERH program requirements include prerequisite requirements for ENERGY STAR certification, only EPA-recognized HCOs, MROs, or Manufactured Homes QA Providers may apply to DOE for recognition as HCOs for ZERH, MROs for ZERH, or MH QA Providers for ZERH. Qualifying organizations that wish to become DOE-recognized ZERH Certification Organizations may apply according to the processes described below.
Apply to Become a DOE-Recognized ZERH Certification Organization
Home Certification Organizations for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program
HCOs for ZERH oversee the following:
- All ZERH Version 1, Revision 9.0 certifications that use the ERI path.
- All ZERH Single Family Homes National Version 2 certifications.
- All ZERH Multifamily National Version 2 certifications that use the ERI path.
- All ZERH Single Family Homes for California Version 2 certifications.
- All ZERH 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 ZERH, please complete and submit the following documents by email to DOE at ZERH@doe.gov.
HCO for ZERH Certification System
HCO for ZERH Certification Protocol
Quality Assurance Checklists for HCOs for ZERH
Single Family
HCO for ZERH Single Family Quality Assurance Checklist and Certification Review, Revision 2(for use with ZERH Single Family Version 2, Revision 2)
HCO for ZERH Single Family Quality Assurance Checklist and Certification Review, Revision 1 (for use with ZERH Single Family Version 2, Revision 1)
HCO for ZERH Single Family Quality Assurance Checklist and Certification Review (for use with ZERH Single Family Version 2)
Multifamily
HCO for ZERH Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist, Revision 1(for use with ZERH Multifamily Version 2, Revision 1)
HCO for ZERH Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist (for use with ZERH Multifamily Version 2)
HCO and MRO for ZERH Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist(for use with ZERH Version 1, Revision 9.0)
Rater Training Requirements
Based on the HCO for ZERH Certification System (see above), HCOs for ZERH ensure that Raters have the appropriate credentials and training to certify ZERH projects. For each ZERH 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 ZERH. As new training modules are developed and required for different ZERH specifications, Raters must complete them according to the chart below.
* Raters certifying ZERH 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 ZERH projects pending successful completion of this module and assessment. Multifamily Review Organizations for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program
MROs for ZERH oversee the following:
- All ZERH Version 1, Revision 9.0 certifications that use the Prescriptive path.
- All ZERH Multifamily National Version 2 certifications that use the ASHRAE 90.1 or Prescriptive path.
- All ZERH 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 ZERH, please complete and submit the following documents by email to DOE at ZERH@doe.gov.
MRO for ZERH Certification System and Application
Quality Assurance Checklists for MROs for ZERH
HCO and MRO for ZERH Multifamily Quality Assurance Checklist(for use with ZERH Version 1, Revision 9.0)
Rater Training Requirements
Based on the MRO for ZERH Certification System and Application (see above), MROs for ZERH must confirm that Raters have the appropriate credentials and training to certify ZERH projects. For each ZERH 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 ZERH specifications, Raters must complete them according to the chart below.
*Raters certifying ZERH 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 ZERH projects pending successful completion of this module and assessment.
Manufactured Homes Quality Assurance Provider for the Zero Energy Ready Home Program
For ZERH Manufactured Homes Version 1, plant and field verifications must be overseen by Manufactured Homes Quality Assurance Providers for the Zero Energy Ready Home program (MH QA Providers for ZERH).
To apply for recognition as a Manufactured Homes QA Provider for ZERH, 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 ZERH
For information regarding the ZERH certification, enforcement, and reporting process and requirements for manufactured housing plants, see the DOE ZERH Manufactured Homes V1: Certification, Enforcement, and Reporting Guide.