HERS Testing in California — Certified HERS Rater
HERS testing in California is the field verification that confirms your home meets the energy features in your Title 24 plans. HERS stands for the Home Energy Rating System, and passing the HERS inspection is required for many new homes and HVAC changeouts across the state. If you are looking for a certified HERS rater in California, look no further than 5 Star Energy. Our HERS testing pairs directly with our Title 24 energy calculations so your project stays compliant from plan check through final inspection.
We proudly serve Butte, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity counties, and provide statewide California coverage. With our skills, equipment, and dedicated team, we can conduct HERS testing and inspections for homes of any size — from small bungalows to multi-million-dollar estates.
New to HERS? Read why you might need a HERS test in California and the difference between Title 24 and HERS testing, or hire our certified HERS rater directly.
Our Comprehensive Approach to HERS Testing
5 Star Energy takes a multi-step approach to HERS testing and inspections to ensure that your home meets or exceeds all applicable energy code requirements:
- Duct Sealing — Verifying duct connections are properly sealed
- Low Leakage Ducts in Conditioned Space — Testing duct systems within the building envelope
- Verification of Supply and Return Duct Design — Ensuring proper airflow distribution
- Refrigerant Charge Verification — Confirming correct refrigerant levels in HVAC systems
- Verified System Airflow — Measuring actual airflow against design specifications
- Air Handler Fan Efficacy — Testing fan performance and efficiency
- Verified EER/EER2 — Confirming Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings
- Verified SEER/SEER2 — Confirming Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings
- Building Envelope Leakage — Blower door testing for air tightness
- High-Quality Insulation Installation (QII) — Visual inspection of insulation quality
Understanding the HERS Index (0-150 Scale)
Every HERS rating produces a HERS Index score on a 0 to 150 scale. The lower the number, the more energy-efficient the home:
- 100 — a standard new home built exactly to code
- 0 — a net-zero-energy home that produces as much energy as it uses
- Above 100 — a home that uses more energy than the reference build (common for older houses)
Each one-point drop on the HERS Index represents roughly a 1% improvement in energy performance. In California, however, most HERS testing is about verifying the specific measures called out on your Title 24 Certificate of Compliance — such as low-leakage ducts or verified refrigerant charge — rather than hitting a single index target. A lower HERS Index still means lower utility bills and a more comfortable, efficient home.
Is HERS Testing Mandatory in California?
For most projects, yes. California’s Title 24 energy code requires independent HERS field verification for many new homes and for the majority of HVAC changeouts, system replacements, and additions. When your Title 24 report specifies HERS-verified measures, a certified, third-party HERS rater must test and register them before your building department will grant final sign-off. Because the rater must be independent from the design consultant, hiring a dedicated certified HERS rater is part of staying compliant.
HERS Registration: CHEERS and CalCERTS
After 5 Star Energy completes your HERS testing, the results don’t just live in a report — they are registered with a state-approved HERS provider such as CHEERS or CalCERTS. This registration generates the official Certificate of Verification (CF3R) that your building department cross-checks against your Title 24 Certificate of Compliance. We handle the registration for you, so your permit closes out without delays.
Why HERS Testing Matters
HERS testing and inspections ensure that your home is as energy-efficient as possible, which can save you money on your utility bills and make your home more comfortable to live in. We take the time to thoroughly test every aspect of your home’s energy performance, so you can rest assured that it meets California’s energy standards. If a measure fails, we pinpoint the cause, let your contractor make the fix, and retest — so you pass and finalize the permit.
When Do You Need a HERS Test?
You typically need a HERS test in California when:
- Building a new home
- Installing or replacing an HVAC system
- Adding square footage to an existing home
- Your building department requires verification of energy features
- Applying for energy efficiency rebates or incentives
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HERS testing involve? HERS testing involves on-site duct leakage testing, blower-door envelope testing, verified system airflow, air handler fan watt draw, refrigerant charge verification, and a Quality Insulation Installation inspection — all performed by a certified HERS rater and registered with a state-approved provider.
What happens if you fail a HERS test? The failed measure must be corrected and retested before the permit is finalized. Most failures — excess duct leakage, low airflow, or an incorrect refrigerant charge — are straightforward fixes. We identify what failed and retest after the fix.
Is HERS testing mandatory in California? For most new homes and HVAC changeouts, yes. When your Title 24 Certificate of Compliance calls out HERS-verified measures, an independent certified rater must verify them.
What is a good HERS score for a home? On the 0-150 HERS Index, a code-built new home scores about 100 and a net-zero home scores 0 — lower is better. In California, passing usually means meeting your specific Title 24 verified measures.
How much does a HERS test cost? HERS testing costs typically range from about $150 to $600 based on home size and systems tested. Contact us at (530) 275-3350 for a free quote.
How long does a HERS inspection take? Most residential HERS inspections can be completed in 2-4 hours, depending on the number of systems being tested.
What’s the difference between Title 24 and HERS testing? Title 24 is the energy calculation done before construction; HERS testing is the field verification done during and after construction to confirm the home was built to those plans. Need the inspector? See our certified HERS rater service.
Contact us at (530) 275-3350 to schedule a HERS testing and inspection today.