The Role of ECC Raters (Formerly HERS Raters) in QII

For California projects with modeled or prescribed Quality Insulation Installation (QII), an ECC rater (formerly HERS rater) performs the required third-party field verification. Understanding the rater’s scope helps builders prepare accessible assemblies, current compliance documents, and traceable corrections.

The rater’s 2025-code QII responsibilities are defined in the CEC’s Reference Residential Appendix RA3.5, while certification and registry responsibilities operate through the applicable ECC Provider workflow.

What Is an ECC Rater?

An ECC rater is a building-science field-verification professional certified through a California ECC Provider for the measures within the rater’s scope. California previously used the term HERS rater for this role. The national RESNET HERS Index is a separate whole-home rating system and should not be confused with California ECC field verification.

Depending on certification and project documents, ECC raters may perform QII, duct leakage, refrigerant charge, fan efficacy, airflow, or other field verifications. The QII inspection process guide explains where the insulation visits fit into the construction sequence.

The ECC Rater’s Role in the QII Process

During QII field verification, the ECC rater examines the assemblies and details required by the applicable procedure and approved project documents. Rough-in occurs while the relevant insulation and air-barrier work remains visible; later checks depend on the project scope.

At rough-in, the rater compares the visible installation with the applicable compliance documents and evaluates material, R-value, fitting, gaps, compression, coverage, and air-barrier alignment as required for the assembly. Findings and correction items are documented according to the applicable procedure and registry workflow.

Later verification, when required, checks accessible items for trade disturbance or other project-specific conditions before documentation is completed.

Why Independence Matters

Third-party verification is subject to the conflict-of-interest and quality-assurance rules that apply to ECC raters and Providers. Those rules support consistent documentation without implying that every rater has the same contractual relationship to every project participant.

Builders should confirm that the selected rater holds the appropriate certification for the code cycle and required measures and that project records are registered through the applicable Provider workflow.

How ECC Raters Evaluate Insulation Quality

ECC raters follow the applicable QII verification procedure rather than a generic visual checklist.

Cavity fill and coverage are evaluated where the assembly is in scope. Missing insulation, gaps, or voids may require correction before verification can be completed.

Installation quality goes beyond simply having insulation present. For the in-scope assemblies, the rater evaluates fitting, gaps, avoidable compression, and material-specific coverage according to the approved details and applicable procedure.

Air-barrier alignment is reviewed according to the approved assembly and applicable procedure. Missing backing or misalignment can reduce the effectiveness of air-permeable insulation.

Penetration sealing around pipes, wires, ducts, and other penetrations through the building envelope is also evaluated. While QII is primarily an insulation inspection rather than an air sealing inspection, the rater does check that insulation is properly fitted around penetrations without compression or gaps.

The Collaborative Approach

Clear coordination between the builder, crew, energy consultant, and ECC rater can reduce avoidable access, documentation, and scheduling problems.

Coordination should start before insulation. Confirm the rater’s service scope, the documents needed on site, access requirements, and the process for communicating correction items.

During the inspection itself, many raters take the time to explain their findings to the insulation crew or builder’s superintendent. Rather than simply documenting failures and leaving, they point out exactly what needs to be corrected and offer suggestions for how to fix it efficiently. This on-the-spot education helps crews improve their techniques and reduces the likelihood of repeat failures on subsequent inspections.

Choosing the Right ECC Rater for QII

When selecting an ECC rater, confirm current certification for the required code cycle and measures, QII experience, service area, scheduling lead time, reporting workflow, and correction-documentation process.

Responsiveness matters because rough-in details cannot be verified after finishes conceal them. Coordinate the expected insulation-completion date early and confirm how schedule changes should be reported.

Coordinate QII With Poppy Energy

Builders and superintendents can contact Poppy Energy to confirm service scope, coordinate the QII inspection window, and prepare required jobsite documentation.