The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program's (WAP) comprehensive Quality Work Plan establishes a benchmark for quality home energy upgrades. 

In this section, you will learn more about the Section 2: Inspections requirement as it is outlined in Weatherization Program Notice (WPN) 22-4: Quality Work Plan Requirement Updates. Resources are listed at the bottom of this page to help you meet this obligation in the field.

Section 2: Inspections

A component of the annual WAP Grantee Plan must include Grantee procedures for "Final Inspection," as directed in the annual DOE Application Instructions. Final inspections must be led by a Quality Control Inspector (QCI).

• Units are to be inspected using criteria that aligns with the requirements outlined in Section 1 of this guidance.
   
• Every client file must have a form that certifies that the unit had a Final Inspection and that all work met the required standards.
   
  • The form must contain the QCI's printed name, signature, certification number and date.
     
  • If a unit has received both a Final Inspection and has also been monitored by the Grantee, the client file must include the certified QCI's (Subgrantee and Grantee) printed name, signatures and certification number and date from each inspection.
     
• The Final Inspection must include an assessment of the energy audit that confirms the accuracy of the field site data collection, energy audit software inputs, and that measures called for on the work order were appropriate and in accordance with the Grantee energy audit procedures and protocols approved by DOE.
   
• Grantee technical monitoring of Subgrantee dwelling units shall not be completed by the same QCI certified individual that completed the Subgrantee's energy audit or Final Inspection of the same dwelling unit. Each Grantee shall specify their policy in the Monitoring Activities (Section V.8.3) of the annual DOE Application.

Quality Control Inspectors

A QCI is a residential energy-efficiency expert who ensures the completion, appropriateness, and quality of energy upgrade work by conducting a methodical inspection of the building including performing safety and diagnostic testing. The individual with QCI certification is essential to the quality production of weatherization units. It is required that individuals who approve Subgrantee Final Inspections and Grantee technical monitoring must have an active QCI certification and possess skills outlined in the NREL Job Task Analysis (JTA) for QCIs.

Single Family

• The Grantee must follow a written policy/procedure for verifying that the final inspectors approving completed single family units are certified QCIs.
   
• The Grantee must have written policies and procedures to address situations where a QCI approves work which is not consistent with the standards adopted by the Grantee and the DOE-approved Field Guide. The policy must include increased monitoring of the Subgrantee where the inspector is employed/contracted and procedures for disciplinary action if the Grantee inspection protocols are not followed.

Multifamily

• Grantee Training Plans must include requirements to ensure that individuals signing off on work in multifamily buildings have an active QCI certification and successfully complete a comprehensive training program based on the NREL Multifamily Quality Control Inspector JTA.

QCI Mentorship Option

To support recruitment, efficient onboarding, and career advancement at the Grantee and Subgrantee levels, Grantees may elect to allow a mentorship model. Individuals working toward QCI certification (mentee) under the mentorship of a certified QCI may perform work aligned with the QCI Job Task Analysis, including Final Inspections, monitoring, and the collection of field site data and/or conducting reviews of energy models, but all work must be reviewed and approved by a certified QCI.

If a Grantee chooses to develop a mentorship program, the policy must be submitted to their respective DOE Project Officer for approval and contain the following elements:

• The mentee is a Subgrantee/Grantee employee or contractor pursuing QCI certification.
   
• A timeline and the number of dwelling units for the mentees to complete training and obtain QCI certification.
   
• At least one designated mentor, agreed upon by the Grantee and Subgrantee, who can review field inspections, provide on-the-job training and coaching. The use of video or virtual technology is encouraged.
   
• All work performed by the mentee is reviewed and attested by a certified QCI which includes the printed names, signatures, and certification number (for the mentor) and is dated by both the mentor and mentee.

Grantee Monitoring

Grantee monitoring policies and procedures must align with WPN 20-4, which allows using either DOE's prescribed monitoring policy or a Grantee-developed monitoring policy. If a Subgrantee is utilizing the QCI mentorship option, then the Grantee must perform quality assurance reviews of at least 10% of all completed units. Grantee monitoring of a Subgrantee dwelling unit shall not be completed by the same QCI certified individual that completed the Subgrantee energy audit or final inspection of the same dwelling unit. If the Grantee chooses to develop a monitoring policy that differs from the standard options defined in WPN 20-4, the policy must be submitted to the Grantee's respective DOE Project Officer for approval and contain the following elements:

• Description of the relationship between the certified individuals performing the Final Inspections and the installed work—i.e., are they independent, did they audit the home, did they work on the crew, etc.
   
• Grantee process for ensuring that monitoring is performed in an impartial and complete manner. This must include review of the energy modeling inputs and outputs as described above.
   
• Grantee process for reviewing the success of the monitoring policies and resolving any issues that affect the quality and impartiality of the inspection process.

Resources

The following resources are provided by WAP to assist you with this section of the Quality Work Plan requirement.