What is a HERS rating and when is it required?
A HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Rating is a comprehensive evaluation of a home's energy efficiency, providing a standardized score that reflects its performance. It is often required for new construction and major renovations to ensure compliance with energy efficiency codes, ultimately leading to lower energy costs and enhanced comfort.
DAE offers a full range of inspections needed for comprehensive project assessments, including foundation, insultation, and final blower door tests. These inspections are essential for HERS Rating compliance and are provided as separate services to facilitate proper execution during construction so that the optimal, modeled results can be achieved in reality.
Making the Connection: Design Meets Functionality
HIGH-LEVEL DESIGN
At DAE, while we deliver precise HERS ratings for compliance and permitting, our expertise extends to mechanical design services for a more integrated and seamless approach. Our mechanical solutions ensure that energy-efficient systems are seamlessly integrated into the overall design and functionality of your space. This holistic approach guarantees form and function are perfectly balanced, providing both beauty and practicality in every project.
HERS RATING
Project Overview
At DAE, our mechanical engineers bring unparalleled technical expertise to the HERS rating process, leveraging their extensive experience to deliver precise, actionable results through rigorous analysis and precision.
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CAPABILITIES
• Project Analysis
Employing advanced energy modeling techniques, we conduct comprehensive analyses to identify and address specific areas where your home's energy performance can be increased. We thoroughly evaluate all aspects of the building, including the thermal envelope, HVAC systems, and the energy consumption patterns, to create detailed reports that provide clear, data-driven strategies for lowering your HERS score as efficiently as possible.
• Testing/Inspections
Our on-site testing and inspections are thorough and meticulous, encompassing a full range of evaluations such as blower door tests and duct leakage assessments. We perform multiple site visits to inspect foundation and slab insulation, assess air sealing measures, and verify the integrity of the building envelope to ensure compliance with HERS standards. When requires, we also conduct Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) testing to evaluate the safety of gas spillage under controlled conditions that simulate potential worst-case scenarios. At project completion, we provide a certified HERS?ERI rating package for submission to local building departments, facilitating smooth project closeout and compliance with all HERS requirements.
• Additions + New Construction
From initial design phase to completion, we ensure HERS rating and energy code compliance considerations are integrated throughout the entire process. Our approach includes selecting and optimizing HVAC systems, insulation, and ventilation solutions as well as implementing best practices in air sealing and construction techniques. We provide ongoing consultation to ensure that any modifications made during construction maintain compliance with energy standards, guaranteeing that both renovations and new construction achieve high HERS ratings and user comfort.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
Our approach to HERS ratings involves a comprehensive analysis of building components, including thermal envelope, mechanical systems, and energy consumption patterns for precise and reliable assessments.
HERS Rating Factors
By analyzing critical elements that impact a home's energy efficiency, the HERS rating provides a comprehensive measure of performance, highlighting areas for potential improvement and aligning with energy standards.
The DAE Experience
DAE excels in delivering comprehensive HERS rating services, combining deep technical expertise with a proactive approach to energy efficiency. Our team of mechanical engineers ensure that each project, whether residential or commercial, achieves optimal energy performance through detailed analysis and precise testing. We guide our clients throughout the entire project, advising on how changes may impact the HERS score and recommendations to enhance energy efficiency. With DAE, you get not only thorough assessments but also ongoing support to ensure your home meets its HERS goal.
As a Lead MEP Engineer with more than eight years of experience, Morgan manages a wide array of civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection projects, overseeing everything from initial client interactions to ensuring designs meet schedule and budget parameters as well as compliance standards. Her role encompasses both MEP/FP and civil discipline projects, drawing her extensive background on large municipal projects and commercial developments, where she collaborated closely with structural engineers for detailed project coordination.
Morgan Poulos Keating
LEAD MEP ENGINEER
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