The United States has scores of programs that can certify or otherwise validate that a home is energy efficient, green, or otherwise high quality. One of the best known programs is Energy Star for Homes, which measures a home’s energy performance against a referenced home’s energy performance. While the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has traditionally focused on commercial buildings, the recently launched LEED for Homes provides a comprehensive performance measuring system that can distinguish a residential homebuilder’s products from its competitors. Some utilities and non-profit organizations have similar energy efficiency programs.

Third party commissioning and sampling is a necessary component of some of these programs, including the Energy Star program and the LEED for Homes program. If a home is audited, its performance measured, and any necessary improvement work performed to meet the particular program’s standards, this can add a level of assurance and value to any potential buyer.

Aspen Enterprises employs BPI certified Building and Shell Analysts, HERS raters for the Energy Star program, and green raters for LEED for Homes. After commissioning a house, we can also help evaluate possible actions that can increase the salability of the home. This can lead to increased traffic, enhanced trust between buyers and sellers, minimize surprises after a homeowner moves into a house, provide higher customer satisfaction, and differentiate your properties from other properties currently on the market. With some programs, your customer can apply for an energy efficient mortgage, allowing you to increase the size of your customer base and their ability to qualify for a mortgage.