ENERGY STAR Version 3, 3.1 & 3.2 QA Checks

This article describes the Quality Assurance (QA) verifications Ekotrope has in place (as of January 2023) for ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes Versions 3, 3.1 & 3.2. The following checks are present in both versions but the thresholds vary for some of the checks depending on the version:

1. ERI / HERS Target. Checks if the home has the same or lower ERI score as the ENERGY STAR target home.
2. High-Performance Fenestration. Checks compliance with Rater Design Review Checklist section 2:
3. High-Performance Enclosure. Rater Design Review Checklist Section 3:
4. Envelope Insulation Grade. Rater Field Checklist section 1.3, including footnote 5:
5. Duct Insulation. Rater Field Checklist section 6.3: 
6. Total Duct Leakage. Rater Field Checklist section 6.4:
7. Duct Leakage to Outdoors. Field Checklist section 6.5:
8. Other Mandatory Requirements. Checks if the highlighted checkboxes have been checked to indicate the rater has completed these requirements outside of Ekotrope:
9. Reasonable Basement Size Adjustment Factor (SAF) Exclusion. This check is not present in ENERGY STAR 3.2 because the SAF is not used in 3.2. The SAF is also not used in 3.1 in Ekotrope version 2.2 and later but the check is still present. It checks that the Basement Area Excluded is less than or equal the below grade slab area present in the home.
10. Mechanical Ventilation. Checks that there is mechanical ventilation present in the home.
11. ENERGY STAR Multifamily. Checks if the home should be using ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction as defined here: