ECC & HERS Rater Testing

ECC and HERS Testing for Sacramento Projects

Poppy Energy coordinates residential ECC rater testing in Sacramento for new homes, ADUs, additions, and qualifying HVAC replacements. In California permit work, Energy Code Compliance (ECC) field verification confirms that installed measures match the project's approved energy documents. Many project teams still use the familiar term HERS testing, so we use ECC/HERS language to make scheduling and closeout easier.

California ECC verification is different from a national RESNET HERS Index, which scores a home's overall energy performance. It is also different from nonresidential acceptance testing. If you need an energy model or compliance report before field work begins, start with our Title 24 report service; the approved report identifies which field verifications apply.

When Is ECC Verification Required?

Requirements depend on the project scope, climate zone, approved compliance documents, equipment, and permit conditions. New residential construction, ADUs, additions, and some HVAC alterations may list one or more field verifications. ECC testing is not automatically the same for every project.

Send us the approved energy report or required-verification forms and the permit scope. We will review the listed measures, identify the appropriate inspection sequence, and flag questions that should go back to the energy consultant, designer, contractor, or building department.

Field Verifications We Coordinate

A project may call for one or several services:

• Duct testing measures leakage from the HVAC duct system.
• Quality Insulation Inspection (QII) checks insulation installation and air-sealing details at the required construction stages.
• Blower door testing measures whole-building air leakage.
• Refrigerant charge verification checks qualifying cooling-system installations when specified.
• Fan efficacy testing verifies fan watt draw and related airflow measurements when specified.
• Title 24 compliance reporting provides the California energy model and documents that establish the project's compliance approach.

These are separate verifications with different readiness conditions. We group appointments when the construction sequence and required tests allow it, but do not assume every measure applies to every permit.

How the Permit-Closeout Process Works

1. Project review: We review the approved compliance documents, permit scope, address, and construction schedule.
2. Inspection planning: We map each required verification to the appropriate phase, such as pre-drywall QII or completed-system HVAC testing.
3. Site verification: The rater completes the applicable measurements and records the project and equipment details.
4. Corrections, if needed: The responsible trade corrects incomplete work or a failed measure, and reinspection is arranged when required.
5. Documentation: Passing results are completed through the applicable California compliance process for use in permit closeout.

Field verification does not replace plan preparation, energy modeling, installation work, or the building department's final approval. Keeping those roles clear helps prevent scheduling the wrong service or arriving before the site is ready.

What to Send Before Scheduling

Please send the project address, permit number if available, approved Title 24 energy report and required-verification pages, current plans, project type, HVAC equipment information when relevant, and the name and contact information for the site lead. Include the construction stage and a few scheduling windows.

For QII, tell us whether framing, air sealing, and insulation are visible. For HVAC testing, confirm that the system is installed, powered, accessible, and ready to operate. Complete information lets us review the scope before assigning an inspection.