Building Plan Review for New Energy Tax Credits

Listed below are some of the steps necessary to obtain an Energy Tax Report, which is a required document when applying for the Energy Tax Credits. This report is only available from a certified home energy rater or HERS* rater using software that is approved through the IRS.

When reviewing or forwarding a set of plans or drawings to a home energy rater, he or she will need to obtain the following information: (at a minimum)

* The plans need to have the dimensions written on them. A floorplan of each level or floor is necessary. All four views of the exterior elevations in proper scale is helpful and sometimes required. The north arrow is necessary on these floorplans.

1) The type of foundation to be used, such as: crawlspace, slab-on-grade or full basement. If the foundation walls or slab is to have insulation, a simple diagram or architect's drawing should be included that indicates the placement of the insulation.

The type and "R" value of the insulation should be indicated like this: 1 inch thick insulating Blueboard with an "R" value of 5 to be used under slab, 2 feet around the perimeter. Also, 2 inch thick insulating Blueboard with an "R" of 10 to be used on the exterior of the foundation wall, all the way from the footer to the top of the wall.

If Insulated Concrete Forms or ICFs are to be used, then the "R" value of these forms will need to be indicated, such as: "R" 24.

2) The type of above-grade framing wall system will need to be indicated, such as: 2 by 4 inch stud wall, 16 inches on center with "R" 13 fiberglass batt insulation in cavities. If an insulating sheathing is to be used, this should be listed, also.

For Structural Insulated Panel Systems or SIPS, the composition of the SIPS panels and the "R" value will need to be written down. For example, the walls will consist of 6 inch thick SIPS panels with an "R" value of 19. These panels have Oriented Strand Board or OSB on both sides and the OSB is 5/8 inch thick.

Be sure to write-down all details of the insulation used, especially if it is unusual. For example: 2 by 6 inch wall construction 24 inches on center with cotton insulation in cavities having an "R" value of 22.

3) The type of windows to be used, such as: double-pane, low-E, vinyl or wood frame, argon-filled, etc. Plus, the "U" value and SHGC or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is important.

4) The type of exterior doors to be used. Should be listed separately as: front door - insulated fiberglass with an "R" value of 4.4, back door - insulated steel with an "R" value of 3.0, side door - metal frame glass sliding door with a glass "R" value of 2.2 and a frame "R" value of 2.4 and door to garage - solid wood door 1.75 inches thick.

5) The heating system information needs to be included. For example, the heating system consists of a 100,000 BTU per hour input natural gas furnace that is 94 percent efficient or the heating system consists of a 20 kilowatt (kW) backup system to an air-to-air heat pump. If this information is not readily available, then include the model number and basic information of the proposed heating system.

6) The cooling system information should be given as follows: a central air conditioner unit will be installed, 3 ton cooling output 13 SEER efficiency. If the cooling is to be performed by a heat pump, then include this information: a 14 SEER air-to-air heat pump with a 8.2 HSPF.

7) The information regarding the water heater is important. At a minimum, the rater will need to know this information: the type of water heater, the fuel, the model number (if available) and the energy factor. Here is an example: there will be a 50 gallon electric water heater, model number Wh123, installed with an Energy Factor of .91.

8) The type and amount of insulation to be installed in the attic is important. For example: 10 inches of blown cellulose to be installed in attic with a final "R" value of 38. Or, unfaced fiberglass batts will be installed, 2 layers of 6 inch thick batts for a total "R" value of 38.

9) If there are floors over unheated crawl spaces, garages or unconditioned basements, it is important to list any insulation that is to be installed in this area, i.e: for the floor over the crawl space there will be a 6 inch unfaced fiberglass batt with an "R" value of 19.

10) Please list the appliances to be included with the new residence. Typically, this consists of a dishwasher and maybe a stove and refrigerator. If possible, give the model numbers of each of the installed appliances and note if they are Energy Star models. Here is a typical example: there will be a 16 cubic foot refrigerator, Model number R1234, that is an Energy Star model installed. The dishwasher is model number DH12345 and also is an Energy Star model with an Energy Factor of .46. The stove is a standard electric model with oven and is Model Number ST1234.

11) If there is any type of solar component involved, such as a solar room or greenhouse, active solar heating system or solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) system, then there are some specific questions involved to determine the solar contribution. You can get solar information for these systems by sending an email to Hathmore Technologies, LLC using this email address: kenr@hathmore.com