Qualified Energy Rater for v4

Mugdha Mokashi

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

February 1, 2017

If we have a commissioning authority conducting the HVAC duct leakage, envelope leakage, local exhaust air flow and compartmentalization testing, do we still need a qualified HERS Rater/Energy Rater to perform these tests again? Or can a green Rater verify the commissioning authority's reports?

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Steve Loppnow

Sustainability Account Manager

Stok

LEEDuser Expert

177 thumbs up

Wed, 02/01/2017 - 23:52

A HERS Rater must perform the EStar testing. A CxA who is not a HERS Rater/Energy Rater would not be able to complete the testing for LEED. You could ask your Homes Provider to confirm with GBCI based on your CxA's credentials, but the answer is likely no.

Carissa Sawyer

Certification Team Lead

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)

LEEDuser Premium Member

11 thumbs up

Tue, 01/29/2019 - 12:39

Mugdha, Is this for an international project? The requirements are different for projects outside the US because the Energy Rater network is not as widespread. If it's international, note the following International ACPs:

Visual inspection of the air sealing measures in lieu of performing envelope leakage, compartmentalization, and duct leakage testing (http://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10444)
HERS rater credential not required, see http://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10443 for specific qualifications, this also means no confirmed HERS Index score is required
LEED for Homes projects in mild climates that do not install mechanical heating and cooling can use a prescriptive EA scoring approach (applicable internationally and in the US), see http://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10438 for specific requirements

For projects in the US, an Energy Rater is required. Carissa

Yoyo Shek

Allied Environmental Consultants Limited

LEEDuser Basic Member

3 thumbs up

Fri, 01/07/2022 - 08:50

Hi Caissa,

It is interested that the ID#10444 is under Credit Name: EAp1 - Minimum energy performance But under Credit Category: Indoor environmental quality Do you think it also apply to the EQp Compartmentalization? So the diagnostic testing (maximum leakage of 0.30 cubic feet per minute per square foot) can be replaced by visual inspection in internaltional projects?

I am reading v4.1 LEED for Residential Multifamily.
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EDIT:
I have just found the International tips in the Multifamily Home Guide. Thanks.

International Tips
The air leakage testing required by this prerequisite may be challenging if there are no professionals
locally trained and qualified to perform this testing. Two LEED interpretations LI 10444 and LI 10443
offer alternative interim approaches for projects in this situation.