ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION

Veterans Energy Solutions, LLC (VES) is a State of Florida Certified Commercial, Government, and Residential Home/Building Energy Rater. We are accredited by RESNET and we are partnered with ENERGY STAR.

Independent inspection and testing helps make sure a home is energy efficient. All new homes look great from the outside. But to make sure that your next new home is truly energy efficient, it’s important to look “behind the walls.” How can home buyers really be sure? Look for homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR — these homes have been inspected and tested by an independent Home Energy Rater — Veterans Energy Solutions, LLC (VES). VES professionals advise builders how to select the most appropriate energy-efficient features for a home; VES Raters inspect and test the home before, during and after construction to verify that the home meets EPA’s strict guidelines for energy efficiency.

BENEFITS OF INDEPENDENT INSPECTION AND TESTING

• Peace-of-Mind for Making a Smart Purchase. Before buying a used car, consumers often take the car to a trusted mechanic not affiliated with the seller to have an expert verify its performance. This helps ensure they are making a smart purchase. Homebuyers can have similar peace-of-mind by looking for the ENERGY STAR label—typically located on a home’s circuit breaker box. This label assures homebuyers that the home has been verified by an independent Home Energy Rater (VES) to be truly energy efficient. In addition to lowering monthly utility bills, the energy efficiency features typically found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes can also contribute to improved home durability and homeowner comfort.

• Climate-Specific Recommendations. An energy-efficient home built in Florida would not necessarily be energy efficient if it were built in Michigan. For a home to be energy efficient, it must be designed for regional weather characteristics. VES is trained in climate-effective energy saving techniques, and our knowledge and field experience helps ENERGY STAR builder partners construct high-quality, energy-efficient homes.

• Additional Inspections for Quality. Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR typically undergo more inspections and testing than code-built homes. The ENERGY STAR verification process helps identify and correct mistakes before they are hidden behind the walls and holds builders constructing ENERGY STAR qualified homes to a higher standard. As a result, independent inspection and testing can help improve the quality and energy efficiency of a home.

HOW INSPECTION AND TESTING WORKS

VES is trained to evaluate construction techniques, take key measurements, and perform inspections and testing procedures to verify a home’s efficient performance.

Phase 1:  Projected Rating & Selection of Energy-Efficient Features. VES helps builders choose energy-efficient features for their ENERGY STAR qualified homes by simulating a home’s energy use with specialized computer software from plan take-offs. The results of this analysis allow VES to identify the most effective upgrades to meet ENERGY STAR performance guidelines.

Phase 2: Pre-Drywall Thermal Bypass Inspection. Completion of a thermal bypass checklist (a visual inspection of common construction areas where air can flow through or around insulation) prior to the installation of drywall.

Phase 3: Confirmed Rating and Field Verification. Regardless of how the energy efficiency features are selected, VES must also conduct on-site inspections and testing of a home. This field verification ensures that energy-saving measures are consistent with ENERGY STAR guidelines. The process usually includes a blower door test (to test the leakiness of the house), a duct blaster test (to test the leakiness of the duct system), and an infrared thermographic inspection.

Help us to accomplish the mission and Achieve Energy Independence. Contact us for a customized quote for your ENERGY STAR Certification today.