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What is Certification? |
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Every home in the Focus on Energy New Homes Program undergoes a series of performance tests and
must meet specific program standards before being certified. This certification is your assurance
that your new home is comfortable, safe, durable, and energy efficient.
It also helps ensure that you'll save money--year after year--on energy costs, and may increase
your home's value at the time of resale.
Buyers of a Focus New Home can expect the following:
- Framing and insulation installation review
- Air-tightness to minimize drafts and create superior indoor air quality
- Sealed combustion equipment and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure safety
- Whole-house ventilation installed for proper ventilation (complies with ASHRAE 62.2-2007)
The Review and Certification Process
Consultant
When you build a Focus New Home, an accredited building performance consultant works with your builder to
streamline the certification process. The consultant does all the testing so the builder can focus on what he
does best—building homes.
Computer modeling
One of the first things the consultant does is run a REM/Rate®—software model on the architectural
plans for your home to estimate its energy efficiency. If needed, the consultant will make best-practice
recommendations to keep your new home on track for certification.
Site visits
Proof is powerful. That's why Focus' consult completes two site visits for each Focus New Home.
- Visit 1: Framing and Insulation Installation Review
It sounds simple, but all new homes are not created equal. Focus' consultant works with your builder to
ensure your home is framed in a way that reduces air infiltration. They also reviews the installation of
the insulation to ensure it meets program requirements.
- Visit 2: Performance Testing
After construction is complete, Focus' building performance consultant will conduct the required performance
testing, which includes testing your home's air tightness. The whole-house ventilation equipment will also
be reviewed to ensure compliance with ASHRAE 62.2-2007 and program requirements. All Focus certification
standards are also verified at this time. The computer modeling is then updated to calculate the homes
estimated energy efficiency.
Upon certification, you'll receive a Homeowner's Manual, a Certification Report, and a Focus on Energy New Homes
Certification Plaque. This is everything you'll need to run your new home efficiently and maintain its performance
and value.
Questions? Please call the Focus on Energy Information Center at 1.800.762.7077 or e-mail us at
newhomes@focusonenergy.com.
