A Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) is an Energy Star-rated home that goes a few steps further in design to make it Indoor airPLUS (IAP)-certified and solar panel-ready. Energy Star builders can differentiate themselves in the housing market by offering buyers this step toward a future-ready zero-emission home.
Established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Zero Energy Ready Home certification ensures the home will be at least 40 – 50% more energy efficient and have healthier indoor air quality than a typical new home. By working with a HERS Rater throughout the design and build process builders can be sure they will have the documentation to qualify for the 45L Federal tax credit of $5,000 per residential unit.
Priority Energy works with builders of single family and multifamily homes to make the ZERH construction requirements easier to understand, implement, and achieve. Our HERS Raters will review your plans and create an energy model based on DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements. Following the Energy Star for Homes baseline you have already established, we will test and design component trade-offs to meet the additional efficiency criteria.
ZERHs include features that streamline and reduce the cost of adding a solar electric system in the future. This includes running conduit from the attic to a future inverter location, providing the roof’s load ratings to the homeowner to avoid significant expense securing engineering calculations, and extra circuit breakers.
ZERH – certified homes qualify for a $5,000 Tax Credit. Work with us, your local HERS Raters, to be sure you get the certification documents for tax filing.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) National Program Requirements:
Single-Family New Homes – Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZERH) Version 1 requirements – permitted after December 31, 2024.
Single-Family New Homes – Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZERH) Version 2 requirements – permitted after January 1, 2025.
Multifamily Homes – Dwellings must meet Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Version 1 requirements – permitted after December 31, 2024.
Multifamily Homes – Dwellings must meet Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Version 1. Rev. 1.9Â – permitted after January 1, 2025.
Manufactured Homes – Zero Energy Ready Home Manufactured Homes Version 1 requirements
The ZERH Process:
- The first step for builders is to register with the U.S. Department of Energy: https://www5.eere.energy.gov/buildings/residential/register/
- Energy Star for Homes Baseline – The home/dwelling unit must meet the requirements for the EPA’s Energy Star for Homes program.
- Envelope – Fenestration shall meet or exceed Energy Star requirements, while insulation shall meet or exceed IECC 2021 Levels.
- Duct System – Duct systems and the HVAC air handler must be located within the home’s thermal boundary and air barrier boundary or in an optimized location to achieve comparable performance.
- Water Efficiency – Hot water delivery systems (piping) and water heaters shall meet efficient design requirements such as maximum distance/water volume from hot water source and EF standards for the water heaters.
- Lights and Appliances – All installed appliances, at least 80% of lighting, and all ventilation fans must be Energy Star qualified.
- Indoor Air Quality – The home must be certified under the EPA’s Indoor Air Plus program. Builder must become a “IAPlus partner” and follow the IAP requirements/checklist.
- Renewable Ready – Depending on the location of the home, there may be requirements that the home be ready for renewables (example – space for an inverter and pre-piping for running wires between the inverter and the roof).
Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Design Requirements:
- Insulation Requirements – Meets or exceeds IECC 2021 levels and Grade 1.
- Cooling Equipment – >=13 SEER in IECC Climate Zone 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and >= 16 SEER in IECC Climate Zones 3, 4A, 4B. IECC Climate Zones 4C, 5, 6, 7, 8 SEER 16 (ASHP); 14 (A/C)
- Heating Equipment – >= 95 AFUE Gas Furnace or 95 AFUE Gas Boiler or Heat Pump = >= 9.5 HSPF/15 SEER CZ 4, 9.25 HSPF/15 SEER CZ 5, 9.5 HSPF/15 SEER CZ 6, 3.6 COP/17.1 EER ground source w/electric backup in CZ7, and >= 8.2 HSPF/15 SEER CZ 2, 3.
- Blower Door/Infiltration Rates – 4ACH50 in CZ <=2 and 3 ACH50 in CZ 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
- Windows – U-value between 0.27 – 0.4 depending on Climate Zone, and an SHGC of none for Climate Zone 5-8 and 0.25 – 0.4 in CZ1-4.
- Water Heater – An energy factor (EF) between 0.45 – 0.94 depending on type (gas/electric/oil) and size.
- Lights/Appliances – Energy Star appliances and high efficiency light bulbs.