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Services: Residential Alterations 

BarrierEnergy is your one-stop-shop for consulting, referrals, and assessments for your construction project. We can help, whether you want to improve the durability of your residential property, reduce energy costs, add value for re-sale, or improve your safety and comfort. 

Title 24 Compliance

Title 24 of the California Energy Commission (CEC) outlines energy efficiency standards for new, altered, and existing buildings in the state of California. California requires a minimum mandatory energy score, as well as mandatory compliance measures. Optional upgrades and tests can translate into compliance points. For more information, visit the CEC website.

HERS Raters

The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is used to test and enforce energy code standards set by the California Energy Commission. HERS Raters are private building inspectors who perform state compliance inspections and functional tests on residential and commercial buildings. Compliance testing has been legally required since 1974, and the codes are updated every couple of years. A HERS Rater is licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air conditioning, Cooling, Refrigeration) technician. At BarrierEnergy, our certified HERS Raters are thoroughly trained on all new building codes and regulations.

 

Our Services

Recently, a new code cycle for building compliance in California was set as of 2019. In 2020, these standards go into effect. Our team offers over a decade of experience to help you keep up in a constantly changing work environment. BarrierEnergy’s goal is to keep your construction project on schedule and compliant with energy standards. Furthermore, we can help you to decide what solutions will work best for your project and budget. Contact us to discuss your energy solution, assessment, and HERS rating needs.

Residential Alterations 

Any residential alterations including additions, remodels, change-outs, ADUs (accessory dwelling units), and energy efficiency upgrades are regulated by Title 24 codes. Alterations made to systems that provide heating or cooling within conditioned spaces in a home also fall into this category. A change-out is when someone replaces a component of the HVAC system, such as the ductwork or the furnace. Any of these alterations require a HERS test by California state law. The technician must certify that the installation has remained within energy efficiency guidelines. 

CF1R

CF1R is the energy design, otherwise known as the “plan-set” for a building. First, the foundation for the energy efficiency requirements of the project must be outlined. Every detail of your alteration must be planned and approved. Once this portion of a project is done, you will receive a certificate of compliance.
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Pre-HERS

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Before a Title 24 Report, or an architectural plan is drawn up, we must examine the best energy strategy for your project. First, we must assess and record existing conditions.

Pre-HERS is an investment in your project, and clients typically save thousands overall. After reporting the existing conditions to authorities, we’ll help you to assess your budget and consult you about which upgrades will benefit you the most.

This preliminary measure will prevent any time delays further down the road, and make sure your entire Title 24 process runs smoothly.

Plans / Title 24 Report

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The Title 24 Report, also known as the CF1R (Alt-01 or Alt-02), is a required document to get permit approval. It shows an overview of all energy-consuming features. Click to learn more about the Title 24 Compliance process.

E-Project Management

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We offer a simple solution to streamline our compliance process. We manage your electronica file by uploading Title 24 data on your behalf, as required by the state. Typically, CalCerts is our first choice, but Cheers is another alternative. For your convenience, we will navigate the software and sign off documents.

BarrierEnergy will take care of the paperwork and data entry for your project, from beginning to end!

Consulting

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Projects go more smoothly when the architect, HERS Rater, and T-24 consultant discuss the project from beginning to end.

We will offer consultation to help you stay on schedule, on budget, and compliant with energy standards. The advice we offer includes Q&A, compliance measures, brand selection, and referrals. Click here to learn more about what consultation adds to your project.

Certificate of Compliance - Permit Approval

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After we have received your permit information, we will complete, register, and submit the necessary CF1R-ALT-02 form for your project. When the building inspector receives this, they will know your project is registered with an approved HERS provider.  This document is required to get permits approved for a new job, whether that is a remodel, a changeout, or an addition. Then, construction may begin!

Solar Ready Area (SRA)

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Currently, all new or altered buildings in the state of California must have solar panels or sufficient space for solar panel installation. A solar-ready area is a large, relatively flat, empty space on the roof.

Tesla was created as a precursor for PV solar requirements. Most new buildings will need to have solar panels installed unless they make certain exemptions. Read more about solar-ready areas and solar panel requirements here.

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CF2R

Next, the construction project begins and fixtures are installed. This phase is the CF2R portion. Installation are certified, as our technicians test the quality and efficiency of building features. During this step, we will take care of filling out, signing, and uploading all Title 24 documents.
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Certificate of Installation

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Once systems have been installed, they are ready for initial inspection/testing. It’s important testing is done before the walls are built, in case we do uncover major installation errors.

We will ensure energy guidelines have been met for the project, as outlined by the CF1R. At the end of this stage, you will receive the certificate of installation.

Building Walk Around

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On new job sites, the our team needs to identify the scope of work. The inspector will obtain information from every aspect of the project to determine what has been accomplished already, versus what needs to be done.

The inspector will obtain information on the project through the building’s ‘plan set’, or title 24 report. This report is an energy calculation file with all information relevant to that job site including square footage, number of rooms, etc. The title 24 report is an all-encompassing document listing the features on a building, including all systems.

Duct Leakage Testing At Frame

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Whenever changes are made to an existing HVAC system technicians must test the internal pressure of the ductwork. According to California’s energy efficiency laws, we have a legal obligation to ensure the duct system is tightly sealed. If the pressure reading is not within approved guidelines, it must be sealed properly. Hence, we test when the building is at-rough before the walls are up.

As HERS Raters, this test is our specialty! For more information, visit our duct leakage testing page.

Electrical Set Up

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In order to optimize energy efficiency, the electrical power distribution system of a property must be carefully designed. Every system must keep in mind voltage requirements, load schedules, and energy metering. Depending on how large the business is, different energy systems have different needs.

So, the goal is to deisgn an efficient, yet cost effective Power Distribution System. We are the experts that will help you do just that, while adhering to California State efficiency requirements.

Lighting

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In order to meet energy efficiency guidelines, lighting systems must adhere to a specific “power allowance”. Using energy-efficient bulbs, such as LED, will allow you to stay within the allotted allowance. Another method of limiting waste is to install lighting controls such as movement detecting lights, automatic shut-off schedules, and so on.

This stage is to verify that the plan-set for lighting matches the installation. Learn more about Title 24 Lighting.

Quality Insulation Inspection

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When a building is at “rough”, before the drywall has been installed, it’s important to assure the insulation is installed properly. Firstly, a pre-insulation inspection will help determine the parameters of the installation.

Then after installation, another inspection will certify the quality. This visual inspection involved making sure there are no gaps, the proper type of insulation is being used, etc. 

QII HERS inspections require much attention to detail. Let us make sure that insulation does not hold up your construction process, by communicating with the installer, builder, and contractor throughout the process. Learn more about insulation requirements here.

Fenestrations (Doors & Windows)

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Fenestration refers to the arrangement of windows and doors on a building. For this service, a technician will first measure the dimensions. Physical dimensions are used for energy calculations.

Factors of thermal transmission include placement, reflectiveness, tinting, and more. Therefore, different kinds of windows and doors are required depending on the setting. Learn more about the codes for windows and doors here.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

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Indoor air quality is a series of tests that verify systems of exhaust, intake air, and filtration. There must be adequate airflow based on how many occupants the building can hold and its size. This will control the levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Learn more on our page about Indoor Air Quality Inspections.

Refrigerant Charge Test

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If your home has a cooling component, i.e. a condenser, this test is required. The technician will determine if there are proper levels of coolant in the condenser itself. If there is less refrigerant than recommended at factory set level, the system is known as undercharged. Conversely, if there is too much refrigerant, the system is known as overcharged. The correct amount of coolant will assure that the cooling unit is functioning properly.

Airflow (AC)

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Condensers are legally required to be tested. Using an aerometer, and a mass airflow meter, the technician will measure the humidity, pressure, and temperature of the cooling unit. They will measure the volume of air being transferred in cubic feet per minute (CFMs) in order to determine how efficiently the AC unit is working. 

PV Solar

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Most single-family residential homes that are altered must have solar panels installed. In this case, PV solar certificate of installation will need to be issued. For more details on exemptions, requirements, or output equations, visit the Energy Code Ace reference tool (2022).

Envelope Air Sealing / Building leakage

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A building envelope refers to the exterior construction of a building. Building leakage thusly, is how tightly a building is sealed as a whole. Air could be leaking into or out of a building from windows, doors, flooring, roofing, and so on. A tight seal is important because solving the problem will save money, comfort, and energy. 

A duct blower is used to determine how much air leakage is coming from a building. If the testing results do not meet efficiency code standards, identified leakage paths must be be sealed properly.

To learn more, visit our page on building leakage.

Space Conditioning Systems

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Heating and cooling systems provide temperature control for buildings. Because heating and cooling typically account for around half of a buildings’ entire energy usage, they have efficiency requirements. Components of these systems include piping, pumps, coils, condensers, thermostats, and so on. All these factors must be verified in the Mech-01 form.

Materials Quantity Variance (MQV)

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An essential part of HERS services is quality assurance. We will perform a materials quantity variance analysis to determine the efficiency of construction. MQV calculates the expected amount/cost of materials to be used for a project versus what is actually used. A large variance would signify some outlying issue, such as low quality materials, damage to materials by workers, improper installation, and so on.

Ducts in Conditioned Space

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Where ductwork is located can be just as important as how tightly it’s sealed, when it comes to efficiency. Often, ductwork is run through non-conditioned spaces, such as attics and other crawlspaces. The problem here is that temperature differences, between the inside and outside of the ducts, creates opportunity for energy waste. Thusly, there are many regulations regarding ductwork that is in conditioned versus non-conditioned space. For example, ductwork must be properly insulated in non-conditioned areas.

Fan Efficacy / Fan Watt Draw (AC)

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To determine fan efficacy on an AC system, the technician must first perform a fan watt draw test. FWD is an energy consumption test, in which, a fan watt meter will be attached to the conditioning unit in order to read how much energy it uses to produce airflow. Efficacy is recorded as Watts/CFM. This formula is important because it verifies that the ductwork doesn’t have resistance to airflow.

Rated Equipment

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In order to verify that a piece of equipment is functioning correctly and according to the manufacturer’s standards, we must validate its AHRI certification. Our technicians are certified by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to do just that! If HVACR or water heating equipment is AHRI certified, you can trust it was installed in accordance with the manufacturer.

Hot Water Systems

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Hot water systems must be inspected to ensure they were installed according to the plan set. We fill out the plumbing installer verification form and other compliance documentation if water heating credits were claimed in your plans. Learn more about compliance credits on our page on efficient water heaters.

Return Duct Design

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All ducts have a return vent to balance air vents, or supply registers. Vents expel temperature controlled air into a building. Opposingly, the return vent pulls air from inside the building to take it back to the furnace or conditioner. This keeps air moving cyclically and evenly throughout a building.

It is our job to verify the return vent has been installed properly and the airflow is up to code. Certified HERS Raters will hook a flow hood up to the return vent in order to read the airflow.

Detailed Duct System Design

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If ductwork is not located in a conditioned space, temperature control will lose its potency. There are two ways to increase the efficiency of the heating and cooling system in this situation. Decreasing the duct surface area is one way to make up efficiency. In tandem with the use of insulation, ductwork can meet compliance codes. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by R-value, or how easily heat is able to passe through.

In order to claim compliance credits, the duct design must be listed on the plan-set, approved by proper enforcement, and installation must be certified by a HERS Rater. 

CF3R

Lastly, the CF2R must be authenticated. CF3R is known as the certificate of verification because it verifies the HERS test results. Accordingly, this legally binding document ensures consistency between our data files and the actualization of the building plan.
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Project Status Report

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A Project Status Report lists the completion status of each necessary HERS component in a project. All pertinent information to the project will be listed, as well as what forms have been completed.  Periodically, we will update the PSR, which will note completed progress with a green dot. Enforcement agencies can access this report at any time, as it will be used by officials to authenticate Title 24 compliance. When the file is complete, we send you a copy to provide the final inspector.

Certificate of Verification

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Now that the walls are up, some energy tests will need to be re-verified. The certificate of verification is the last to document that needs to be submitted that final inspection. The CV contains all diagnostic test results, which must match the certificate of installation. Congratulations, your project is complete!

Existing Conditions Report

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An EXC form may be required to get your building plans to pass. It’s technically a 3R because only a HERS Rater is allowed to sign off on this form. However, its role is to verify the conditions on-site before any alterations are made. This is to satisfy the Building Department by showing the percentage of improvement. To learn more visit our blog post on Existing Conditions Reports.

Duct Leakage Testing At Final

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Using a duct blower, technicians test the internal pressure of ductwork to make sure it is tightly sealed. Testing ductwork will ensure its structural integrity.

Our technicians will verify the duct leakage test results when the construction project is at final. This will ensure that all the information in the CF3R is correct. For more information, visit our duct leakage testing page.

Air Flow & Air Balance At Final

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Air balance testing ensures air is being distributed evenly throughout the building. Read more on our page for Air Balance Testing.

Airflow will be double-checked once the construction project has reached it’s final stages. Once the walls and permanent fixtures have been installed, we want to verify the results of the first airflow test.

Quality Insulation Inspection At Final

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Our QII services include a certificate of installation, plus inspections of infiltration sealing, installation, structural insulated panels (SIP), and insulated concrete form (ICF).

HERS Raters sign-off on insulation at final. Learn more about insulation requirements here.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) At Final

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Internal air quality is a quantitative test that measures how much air is flowing in and out of a building. There must be a certain amount of airflow based on how many occupants it can hold and the size of the building because of carbon dioxide. For this test, a technician will use an airflow meter to measure the flow of air in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

Our technicians will test IAQ at the beginning stages of a project, and once again at the end.

Materials Quantity Variance (MQV) At Final

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An essential part of HERS services are quality assurance. We will perform a materials quantity variance analysis to determine the efficiency of construction. MQV calculates the expected amount/cost of materials to be used for a project versus what is actually used. A large variance would signify some outlying issue, such as mow quality materials, damage to materials by workers, improper installation, and so on.

This is somethig we will check on during a project, and especially at the end of a project. Performing MQV at final gives an overrall picture of how successful a project was at staying on budget.

Refrigerant Charge Test At Final

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If your home has a cooling component, i.e. a condenser, this test is required. The technician will determine there are proper levels of coolant in the condenser itself. If there is less refrigerant than recommended at factory set level, the system is known as undercharged. Conversely, if there is too much refrigerant, the system is known as overcharged. The correct amount of coolant will assure that the cooling unit is functioning properly.

We will check the condensor at the start of a project, and again when the project is at final. At final, the walls have been errected and permanent fixtures have been installed. We do this to certify the CF2R test results.

Return Duct Design At Final

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All ducts have a return vent to balance air vents, or supply registers. Vents expel temperature controlled into a building. Opposingly, the return vent pulls air from inside the room to take it back to the furnace or conditioner. This keeps air moving cyclically and evenly throughout a building.

It is our job to verify the return vent has been installed properly and the airflow is up to code. Certified HERS Raters will hook a flow hood up to the return vent in order to read the airflow. This test will be performed at final to verify the results from the first test.

Detailed Duct System Design At Final

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If ductwork is not located in a conditioned space, temperature control will lose its potency. There are two ways to increase efficiency of the heating and cooling system in this situation. Decreasing the duct surface area is one way to make up efficiency. In tandem with the use of insulation, ductwork can meet compliance codes. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by R-value, or how easily heat is able to passe through.

In order to claim compliance credits, the duct design must be listed on the plan-set, approved by proper enforcement, and installation must be certified by a HERS Rater. We will perform this service again at the end of the project to authenticate passing results.

Ventilation Cooling At Final

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If a cooling unit has a condenser, it is legally required to be tested. Using an aerometer, a mass airflow meter, the technician will measure the humidity, pressure, and temperature of the cooling unit. They will measure the volume of air being transferred in cubic feet per minute (CFMs) in order to determine how efficiently the AC unit is working. This will prevent the cooling mechanism from freezing.

Our technicians will test again at final, to verify the CF2R test results.

More Services

In addition to compliance related services, we offer other miscellaneous tests and services. Take a look, and get a quote from us today!
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LEED Certification

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LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a global system for rating the environmentalism of buildings. As LEED Green Associates, we can get your project certified LEED. This extra level of certification will increase the value and environmental benefits of the property.

Through LEED you can also aquire points and credits for your project. We will help you choose which credits to pursue for the most payback. The amount of points obtained will determine which level of certification you are rewarded: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

Energy Star Certification

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Energy Star is another certification program, run by the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). Buildings that score a 75 or higher on this scale, can qualify for this additional designation. All that you need is a licensed professional to sign off on your energy rating.

Buildings with the Energy Star stamp have higher market value while saving time and resources in the long run. It’s a great return on investment.

Energy Efficiency Audit

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We are licensed by CalCERTS to perform energy efficiency audits. A licensed technician will analyze all features of the building for efficiency. An energy audit provides an opportunity to assess what improvements could be made to make the building more efficient.

Not only will money and resources be saved, but creature comfort will improve. We recommend this test be performed every year. This will identify and prevent major expenses, such as overworked HVAC systems that cause system collapse. To learn more, visit our post about Home Energy Ratings.

Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)

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The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers an Energy Efficient Mortgage program to help make green energy upgrades affordable. You can save up to half a percent on your mortgage with certain providers if you pass California State Energy Efficient Mortgage guidelines. An opportunity to save tens of thousands of dollars when purchasing, selling, or refinancing your property is huge! In order to qualify, an energy assessment will need to be performed in order to verify basic mandatory upgrades. This option is cost effective and easy.

Energy Efficient Mortgages can also be used for upgrading new homes. In this instance, HERS Raters would be conducting a home energy assessment to help determine the cost effectiveness of upgrades. The expected savings from installing efficiency upgrades will offset the cost of the improvements. Based on these findings, the FHA approves an allocated amount towards energy efficient upgrades. Therefore, the FHA can guarantee an energy package loan to cover initial installation fees by lumping it in with the mortgage. Reach out to our experts for more information about this service.

PACE Loan / Special Programs

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PACE is one of the many programs that exist in California to help their residence afford energy-efficienct improvements. PACE loans are offered through government approved third parties. First, an Energy assessment must be completed by a licensed inspector. That’s where we come in!

We know which programs will work best for you. Reach out to our experts today.

Energy Efficient Tax Credits

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To incentivise energy efficinecy, the government offers many tax credit oppurtunities and programs.

For example, 45L is a tax credit that encourages the construction of energy efficient residential properties. Contractors may be eligible for a $2,000 tax credit per energy efficient unit. In order to qualify, a certified field technician must verify the efficiency of the dwelling unit(s) meets the programs standards.

To learn more about the special programs and savings you could qualify for, reach out to our expert team today.

Warranty Sign-Off

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If an appliance in your home has a current warranty, and it breaks, you would need a certified inspector to sign-off approval for replacing it. The reason is because warranties are not applicable in certain situations. The inspector would make sure that the appliance was installed properly according to California state law as well as according to the manufactures intructions. That way they can prove that the fault is due to the manufacturer.

Home Inspection

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We are certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) to perform home inspections. Home inspections are typically a part of real estate transactions, for example selling a home. A home inspection is also required to qualify for an Energy Efficiency Mortgage (EEM).

During a home inspection, the inspector will document every part of the home. The data they collect will be supported with picture evidence, and documented through an inpection report.

Miscellaneous Compliance Testing

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State codes enforce basic minimum requirements for efficiency. However, local codes can vary from area to area. There are federal and local special addendums and programs. 

Our technicians will work with the owner and builders to make sure every step of the construction process is done properly, given codes in certain municipalities.

Basic Health and Safety

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum level for every toxin that could be found in a home. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of sickness for no apparent reason, it may be a good idea to get some general tests done. We can ensure proper airflow, temperature control, and exterior seal. Reach out to an expert at BarrierEnergy; we are here to protect your health.

Thermostat Programming

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We offer indoor and outdoor climate control systems integration and programming. All thermostats must be programmed and the program must be known. This system dictates temperature conditions, security alarms, and time settings.

Residential Air Test and Balance

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Whenever you get a new HVAC system installed, you should always get an air balance test done. Air balance testing protects a home by assuring consistent airflow throughout each space. Say goodbye to hot and cold spots, moisture problems, and high energy bills affecting your home. Learn more page about Residential Air Test and Balance.

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