California's HERS verification confirms that certain HVAC measures are installed and performing as the energy code assumes. Here is what the process involves, when it applies, and who performs it.
This article is general information about California's HERS program. It is not a compliance determination for any specific project, and requirements vary by project and change over time. The permit documents and your local building department are the authority for your project.
HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. In California, HERS is a system of third-party verification used to confirm that certain energy-efficiency measures in a home are installed and performing the way the energy code assumes they will.
In an HVAC context, HERS testing is the part of a project where a certified verifier visits the property, takes a measurement, and reports the result to the state's HERS registry. That record becomes part of the compliance file for the permitted work.
A few things HERS testing is not:
It is a verification process tied to specific measures, and it exists so that someone independent confirms the result.
There is no single answer that applies to every project. Whether verification is required depends on several things that interact with each other:
Because these factors interact, requirements are best confirmed for the specific project — ideally during the estimate or permit stage, before work begins. Two homes on the same street can have different verification requirements if their scope or documentation differs.
This article does not state the requirements for any particular project. For your project, confirm against the permit documents and with the building department having jurisdiction.
For HVAC work, verification generally focuses on measurable performance rather than a visual walkthrough. Depending on which measures apply, testing may include:
Not every project includes every test. The scope of verification follows the measures documented for that home.
One practical point: if a duct leakage test is part of the project, the duct system needs to be accessible and in a condition that allows it to be sealed and pressurized. Attic and crawlspace conditions, the layout of the system, and the age of the ductwork can all affect how the test is performed — which is one reason it is worth discussing early.
HERS verifiers, often called raters, are independent professionals certified through a California HERS provider and registered with the California Energy Commission. They are deliberately separate from the installing contractor: the purpose of third-party verification is that someone other than the installing company takes the measurement.
That separation means the roles in a project are distinct:
If a project requires verification, the verifier is arranged through a HERS provider or directly with a certified rater. Who arranges it, and at what point in the project, should be clear before work begins.
Freedom Heating does not offer standalone HERS testing services.
Our work is HVAC installation, replacement, repair, maintenance, ductwork, and related home services. HERS verification is performed by independent certified professionals through a California HERS provider — not by us. We do not represent ourselves as a HERS rater or provider, and we do not perform or report the verification itself.
If your project requires verification, we can discuss the HVAC work involved and what the installation needs in order for testing to be completed. The testing and its reporting remain with the independent verifier.
Freedom Heating does not offer standalone HERS testing services.
For homeowners, contractors, and builders who need independent testing or verification, 831 Conserve provides Energy Code Compliance (ECC) verification services, formerly known as HERS testing, for California projects. 831 Conserve is a separate business and is not owned, operated, or affiliated with Freedom Heating Inc.
Visit 831 Conserve at 831conserve.com to learn more about their services and availability.
If you are planning an HVAC installation, replacement, or ductwork project, understanding the verification picture early makes the project smoother. Requirements are easier to address at the estimate and permit stage than after the equipment is set.
Freedom Heating Inc. has provided heating, cooling, heat pump, ductless, ductwork, and indoor air quality installation and replacement work across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties since 2000. We evaluate the property and the existing system, explain the work involved, and discuss what your project is likely to require.
Helpful pages for planning:
To request an estimate or start a conversation about your project, visit Get Started. If you would like to talk it through first, call our office at (831) 724-8900 during business hours.
Learn more about our professional services:
View Service PageFreedom Heating Inc. has served homes and businesses across the Central Coast since 2000. We provide heating, air conditioning, heat pump, ductwork, sheet-metal, dryer-vent, and gutter services throughout Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties — including Freedom, Watsonville, Aptos, Soquel, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Salinas, Monterey, and Hollister.
Freedom Heating Inc. has served homes and businesses across the Central Coast since 2000. If you need professional service, an inspection, maintenance, or an estimate, contact our local team.
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