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Everything You Need to Know About the HERS Program Home Energy Audit in Sacramento and Surrounding Areas

The Home Energy Rating System, or HERS program, is designed to test the energy efficiency of your home. In California, this program is designed to help find and prevent construction defects and faulty installation of HVAC systems and insulation before they become a major problem. Each HERS rater is trained and certified by the California Energy Commission. 

With the HERS program, faulty insulation and poor quality equipment can cause issues with heating, air conditioning and overall ventilation. If installed incorrectly or poorly, these HVAC systems can cause the average home to lose up to 30 percent of its conditioned air. In addition, when this happens the heat flow resistance from the equipment doesn't match the manufacturer's stated levels. These numbers are important to ensure compliance with state and local building codes, as well as to maintain comfort and air quality levels in the home. 

Why Hire a HERS Rater?

With new construction or HVAC replacement, the licensed contractor is required to seal the ducts of a home and test to check for air tightness. Once the ducts are sealed, a certified HERS rater will check and verify how much leakage is in the duct system and if it passes or fails the established levels. 

HERS testing measures a home's energy efficiency on a scale that goes from 0 to 250. It can also determine whether installed appliances meet energy efficiency requirements as designated statewide. Proper and professional HERS testing can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. 

Who Designed the HERS Program?

In order to measure the energy efficiency of homes, the HERS rating was developed by the Residential Energy Services Network or RESNET. The lower the number on the scale, the better the energy efficiency. The HERS system is used by the US Department of Energy, The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as an official method to rank the energy efficiency of a home. 

What Does HERS Testing Involve? 

After proper HERS testing has been conducted on a home, the rating can tell the homeowners or contractor how their home ranks in terms of its energy efficiency. In short, a HERS rater will look at your overall HVAC system and run tests on vents and ductwork as well as check all exterior walls to determine the levels of air leakage in the home. 

Generally speaking, during a HERS test, a duct leakage test will be performed to see if there are any air leaks in any areas that the duct system feeds into. If you experience things like variable temperatures in a room (parts are warm while other parts are cold), it could indicate an air leakage issue. In addition, other things like verifying the levels of refrigerant in your air conditioning system to ensure that it is working at proper efficiency. A blower door test may be used to test the air pressure inside your home. 

When Should HERS Testing Be Done?

HERS tests are most commonly done when a home is bought, sold or built. If you're selling a home, having a HERS rating can help possible buyers understand its energy efficiency levels. It can also be used as a measure to help them understand the cost of future energy bills as well as whether or not any energy efficient upgrades will be needed. 

In addition, all homeowners in California as well as contractors are required to comply with the state's Code of Regulations (Title 24, Part 6) of the Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings in order to meet the state's energy goals and abide by the requirements and regulations. 

You should also know that as a homeowner in California, you're required to schedule HERS testing if a new mechanical system (such as HVAC replacement) is installed in your home. Any such system that needs to be verified in this way needs to have a HERS test done in order to ensure compliance to the aforementioned code. This helps the Energy Commission to understand the difference in energy efficiency levels in home and to determine the best course of action for investing in energy efficiency expenditures. 

Contact Poppy Energy for Full Service HERS Testing

At Poppy Energy, we're proud to conduct comprehensive and complete full-service HERS testing. Contact us today if you're concerned about air leakage in your duct work or if you need a full HERS test done in order for a certification rating to be given to your new construction, refitting, residential or commercial property. We'll take all necessary health and safety precautions to ensure that all proper processes are followed. 

Contact us today to learn more about our complete HERS testing services as well as HVAC replacements and more from a certified HERS rater. Call us at (916) 306-5535 or fill out the form on our website for more information.

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Happy Customers

Igor S., Home BuilderAntelope, CA (yelp)
What a great experience!
WOW, I got my compliance report within 2 days with an explanation of the important parts of the report and how it affects my new house. Since this report was registered, I submitted the Title 24 report and my plans with Sacramento County. No issues there. Paul also stated that they offer QII (Quality Insulation Inspection) that was needed right after the rough in stage stage. Lana came out and did an awesome job with the inspection and made a correction notice for the insulation company to return and fix part of the insulation. Had a very positive experience and would highly recommend Poppy Energy for your new house, ADU or addition.
Grace K., Residential Home OwnerGranite Bay, CA
I would recommend Poppy Energy any day to anyone
I would recommend Poppy Energy any day to anyone. Professionals at Poppy Energy are about the best hands to work on my home. After a proper diagnosis, Lana carried me along every step of the way and my duct leakage test was carried within a few days. Now I can properly conserve energy for my home.
Oliver B., Project ManagerSacramento, CA
Poppy Energy Delivered Fast
Time was running out and the building project was far behind schedule. Poppy Energy put together my Title 24 Compliance Report in a few days and it got approved without any delays. They are very detailed, efficient, and professional. They deliver on their promise and I definitely look forward to working with Poppy Energy on future projects.
Justina. B., Home OwnerRoseville, CA
Knowledgeable, Courteous and Helpful
Lana performed the inspection for the new AC Unit for my home. She was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. She was professional and properly geared; I felt comfortable having her in our home. She took time out to explain the settings and made recommendations on efficient HVAC usages. Delivery was excellent and timely. I would definitely recommend Poppy Energy to anyone.
Lois S., Home OwnerFolsom, CA
Very friendly staff and excellent delivery
Very friendly staff and excellent delivery right on time and at a fair price. Paul was kind enough to walk me through the HERS test process and never got tired of my many questions. After booking an appointment, I got the HERS testing done for my new house in about 1 hour. Keep up the good work!
Antonio D., Project ManagerSacramento, CA
The team outmatched my expectations
I contacted Poppy Energy on the recommendation of a previous client. After several issues with other HERS raters, I was a bit skeptical but working Poppy Energy changed my perspective. The team outmatched my expectations. The HVAC Unit for the building was inspected and Quality Insulation Inspection done within time and budget.
Christopher K., New Construction DeveloperSacramento, CA
At Poppy Energy, every customer counts
I switched to Poppy Energy about three months ago and I must commend the outstanding staff and quality service I’ve received in such a short while for our projects. At Poppy Energy, every customer counts.
Jonathan M., Real Estate AgentCitrus Heights, CA
Keeping customers satisfied at affordable prices
Lana came in to run a full HERS test inspection on the HVAC system in a home. I must say the Poppy energy team are not just great HVAC specialists but are also experts are keeping customers satisfied at affordable prices
Eva T., Home OwnerNorth Highlands, CA
I’m 100% satisfied
Poppy Energy definitely gets my top rating. In preparation for spring, I booked an appointment to check our ducts for any leaks. The team came over to my house after an appointment and did any incredible job with our duct testing. They also guided me and gave me tips and tricks on future energy enhancements. I’m 100% satisfied
Maris S., Residential Home OwnerNew Castle, CA
Honest, transparent and professional!
The entire airflow system of my 30-year home was overhauled and needed to certify the job. Poppy energy had recently done the same for a friend so I contacted them. From the first conversation to final inspection, I love the fact that there was a system of adequate feedback every step of the way. Honest, transparent and professional!
Duke G., Home OwnerFair Oaks, CA
Kudos to a great team
I knew absolutely nothing about the process of getting a Title 24 report compliance report for my building addition, plus I am not so tech savvy but a phone call with Paul put my mind at rest. He was friendly, attentive and quick to explain the process to me. He was just a call away if I had any questions. My report was completed in a few days. Thank you Paul, you are the best! Kudos to a great team and a job done well and on time.
Janet J., Project ManagerRoseville, CA
Highly Impressed
Absolutely the best technical company I have ever experienced! I often do not give reviews but I am highly impressed. I had to reschedule the appointment on such a very short notice but the team was willing to oblige me and even tried to fit in to my schedule
Francis B., Residential Home OwnerRancho Cordova, CA
Made a New Friend
I’m amazed at how quick and smooth the whole process went. My AC was replaced and needed a quality inspection, so I placed a call. Lana showed up at our door about an hour later, discovered the challenge and had it fixed in no time. I enjoyed a great conversation and made a new friend. Poppy energy came highly recommended from a neighbor. I’ll do well to pass on the recommendation as well.
Loretta M., Home OwnerGold River, CA
Showed up within 2 hours
I just had my baby a few weeks back and then my AC unit picked the worst time to fail. After a full HVAC replacement, we needed a full duct test and refrigerant test. I’m especially thankful for the prompt response on a week day though it came in as an emergency. The technician showed up within 2 hours after and did the duct test and refrigerant check in about an hour. Thank you again Lana!
Jamie T., BuilderWest Sacramento, CA
Excellent value for your money
After incurring more financial costs from several retests, Poppy Energy came through and helped us achieve an energy-efficient building at a relatively affordable cost. Poppy energy helped to carry out a Blower’s door tests for one of the building projects I worked on recently. I look forward to working on more projects with them and I will definitely recommend them to others. You are sure to get excellent value for your money.
Reed C., Project ManagerEl Dorado, CA
Keep up the good work!
Paul from Poppy Energy came to do a routine maintenance check on the heat system and AC system of some service apartments. He not only did an excellent job but also recommended additional ways of extending the life of the HVAC equipment. This advice showed he had our best interest at heart. Keep up the good work!
Patricia H., Home OwnerFolsom, CA
Best HERS raters
They are thus far, the best HERS raters I’ve worked with on any building. After the HVAC was fully installed in the building, the HERS Rater by the name Lana did a thorough job checking through air leakages, improper insulation, energy efficiency and other criteria. The house is declared fit just in time for my parents to move in. A great deal of professionalism and courtesy displayed.
Collins O., BuilderCarmichael, CA
Game-changer
I’ve been a customer at Poppy Energy for 6 months now. It’s been quite difficult finding a good HVAC HERS and Duct testing company that I could always count on to deliver all the time. I want to say a huge thank you to the team at Poppy Energy, for being consistent, awesome, dedicated and extremely diligent at their craft. Your excellent and timely service is a game-changer
Sonia, P., Project ManagerLoomis, CA
Efficient, Very Thorough and Professional
I moved in newly to California about half a year back and starting a new building project that required that I carried out a Quality Insulation inspection. I found Poppy Energy as a certified HERS Rater on the CalCert website and booked an appointment with them. They were efficient, very thorough and professional. I will not be using any other HERS Rater any time soon and I will definitely tell my developer friends about Poppy Energy
John M., Home OwnerAntelope, CA
Very Good at What They Do
I’ve used Poppy Energy for my Duct test to my HERS testing to fix an air flow leakage challenge once I found out it was much colder in the attic than inside my home when the AC was on. I must say without bias that they are very good at what they do. The company is great and its employees are always courteous, always willing to help. Thus far, I’ve not had any challenge with their work. Their response time is great and the pricing quite fair. The technicians always take time to troubleshoot, and also explain the cause of repair if need be. I’ll highly recommend them.
Timothy R., BuilderRocklin, CA
Huge Thumbs Up For Poppy Energy
The personnel who came in to carry out the pressure test on my new forced air heating system duly observed strict Covid protocols. He was very efficient, has a sound knowledge of his craft and also very reassuring. A very huge thumb up for Poppy Energy! You are the best.
Steve K., First Home BuilderPenryn, CA
Definitely Recommend
HERS Testing, Title 24 compliance, & CF1R reports all sound like a foreign language to me but this group seems to know their stuff. They don’t seem to mind taking their time to walk you through things and they always seemed to be available when I needed them. I would definitely recommend them without question. Thanks for your help guys. I appreciate it.
Cleveland R., HomeownerAuburn, CA
A++++ service
I couldn’t be happier with the service I received from them. They made sure to complete the duct leakage test quickly and what seemed to be very efficient. I feel a lot better knowing that everything has been brought up to the level it should be. When it comes to peace of mind the cost is priceless. A++++ service.
Robert S., First Home BuilderLoomis, CA
Big Thanks From Me
When dealing with new construction make sure everything is being inspected properly. When I called Poppy Energy, they made sure I understood all the details of what needed to be tested and make sure everything in the house was compliant. I can’t imagine the nightmares that could have happened if they weren’t there to make sure my house was safe, sound, and working properly. They get a big thanks from me.
Kyle B., Home BuyerFolsom, CA
Save You Money in the Long Run
When you buy an older house there are always unforeseen problems. Having this 1960’s ranch house had a lot more issues than you would think for a house that isn’t nearly as old as my grandparents. But when you fall in love with the house you gotta be careful of all the little missteps. Having a quality insulation inspection is paramount to find out where and how warm air or cool air are leaking out of your house. Do yourself a favor and make an appointment sooner than later. It will save you more money in the long run.

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