ENERGY STAR Certification

Trusted energy performance certification for homes and multifamily buildings

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RunBrook helps builders, developers, owners, and project teams pursue ENERGY STAR certification with practical guidance, field verification, energy modeling, testing, and documentation support.

ENERGY STAR certification is backed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is one of the most recognized labels for energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR certified homes, apartments, buildings, and products are independently verified to meet energy performance standards.

Energy Star logo with white text and star on blue background.

Why ENERGY STAR certification matters

Build and operate with verified energy performance

ENERGY STAR certification helps project teams demonstrate that a home, apartment building, or commercial building has been designed, built, or operated to meet recognized energy performance standards. For builders and developers, certification can help communicate quality, efficiency, and long-term value to buyers, renters, owners, and stakeholders.

  • Show that the project meets recognized ENERGY STAR performance requirements.

  • Use a widely recognized certification to communicate energy performance and quality to buyers, renters, tenants, and owners.

  • Energy-efficient design and construction can help reduce utility costs and long-term operating expenses.

  • ENERGY STAR strategies can support improved HVAC performance, air sealing, insulation, ventilation, and overall comfort.

  • ENERGY STAR certification can support project goals related to energy performance, utility programs, incentives, green building certification, and owner requirements.

  • Certification relies on independent verification, helping project teams document that energy performance measures were properly implemented.

What is ENERGY STAR certification?

ENERGY STAR certification is a voluntary energy performance certification program for products, homes, apartments, buildings, and manufacturing plants. The label helps identify projects and products that meet established efficiency and performance standards.

For new homes and apartments, ENERGY STAR certification recognizes projects that are designed and built for better energy performance, quality, comfort, and efficiency.

For commercial buildings, ENERGY STAR certification recognizes buildings that meet strict energy performance standards set by EPA.

Depending on the project type, certification may involve:

  • energy modeling

  • design review

  • field inspections

  • diagnostic testing

  • benchmarking

  • documentation

RunBrook can help determine whether ENERGY STAR, LEED, NGBS, FGBC, or another certification path best fits your project’s goals, budget, timeline, and performance requirements. If ENERGY STAR certification is selected, our team can support the process with energy analysis, field verification, required testing, documentation, and coordination with the project team.

RunBrook’s role

Certification support from building performance professionals

RunBrook can support your project with:

  • ENERGY STAR certification strategy

  • Program pathway guidance

  • Energy modeling

  • HERS rating support

  • Rater design review support

  • Field inspections and verification

  • Blower door testing

  • Duct leakage testing

  • HVAC grading

  • Thermal bypass inspections

  • Quality assurance inspections

  • Documentation and submittal support

  • Coordination with builders, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and owners

Aerial view of a residential complex certified by RunBrook with a landscaped courtyard, trees, walkways, and a few people walking. The image includes logos and stickers indicating energy-efficient and green certifications.

Lexington Reserve Apartments in Portsmouth achieved ENERGY STAR, NGBS, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, and Indoor airPLUS certifications.

ENERGY STAR programs we support

Certification support for residential, multifamily, and commercial projects

ENERGY STAR includes certification pathways for different project types. RunBrook can help identify which pathway applies and coordinate the work needed to support certification.

  • ENERGY STAR certified homes are designed and built to meet program requirements for energy efficiency, comfort, and quality. RunBrook can support builders with HERS ratings, field verification, blower door testing, duct leakage testing, HVAC grading, and related documentation.

  • ENERGY STAR certification can apply to eligible new apartment projects and multifamily buildings. RunBrook can support multifamily project teams with design review, field verification, energy documentation, performance testing, and coordination across multiple buildings or units.

  • The ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction program applies to multifamily buildings, with certain eligibility requirements and mandatory measures verified in the field by an approved Rater. RunBrook can help project teams coordinate the certification process, testing, inspections, and documentation.

  • Commercial buildings can earn ENERGY STAR certification by meeting EPA’s energy performance standards. RunBrook can support commercial project teams with energy audits, benchmarking support, energy modeling, performance review, and documentation planning.

  • ENERGY STAR NextGen is a newer certification for high-performing new homes and apartments, building on the ENERGY STAR label with additional performance expectations. RunBrook can help project teams evaluate whether ENERGY STAR NextGen is appropriate for their goals and what documentation or verification may be needed.

What ENERGY STAR evaluates

Key areas of energy performance

ENERGY STAR certification requirements vary depending on the project type and program pathway, but common areas of focus may include:

  • Building envelope performance

  • Insulation quality

  • Air sealing

  • Windows and doors

  • HVAC system design and installation

  • Duct sealing and duct performance

  • Ventilation

  • Water heating

  • Lighting and appliances

  • Energy modeling or HERS rating results

  • Field verification and diagnostic testing

  • Benchmarking and operational performance for existing buildings

These measures help project teams improve efficiency, comfort, and long-term performance.

Residential verification and testing

Field data that supports certification

For new homes and many multifamily projects, ENERGY STAR certification relies on field verification to confirm that energy performance measures were properly installed. RunBrook can help provide the testing and inspection services needed to support certification.

Depending on the project requirements, RunBrook can provide:

HERS ratings
Duct leakage testing
Blower door testing
Thermal bypass inspections
Insulation inspections
HVAC grading
Ventilation verification
Rater field verification
Energy modeling
Certification documentation

This integrated approach helps reduce coordination challenges and gives builders a clearer path from design through certification.

A man and woman construction workers wearing white hard hats, talking and smiling at a construction site with a house in the background. The man is holding a yellow clipboard and the woman is holding rolled blueprints.

Certification process

A clear path from strategy to verification

Step - 1 Define project goals

We begin by reviewing the project type, certification goals, timeline, budget, and applicable ENERGY STAR pathway.

Step - 2 Develop the certification strategy

RunBrook helps identify program requirements, documentation needs, energy modeling or rating needs, and field verification requirements.

Step - 3 Coordinate testing & documentation

Our team supports required inspections, performance testing, energy documentation, and coordination with the project team.

Step 4 - Support final certification

RunBrook helps organize results and documentation needed to support certification, program review, or project closeout.

Aerial view of a city with high-rise buildings along a river, featuring pools and green areas, under a partly cloudy sky.

Why choose RunBrook?

Building performance expertise for ENERGY STAR projects

RunBrook brings building science knowledge, field verification experience, and energy performance expertise to ENERGY STAR certification projects. Because our team also provides HERS ratings, energy modeling, blower door testing, duct leakage testing, HVAC grading, energy audits, LEED support, NGBS support, FGBC support, and quality assurance inspections, we understand how certification requirements connect to real-world design, construction, and building operation.

Three construction professionals, two men and one woman, sitting at a table with blueprints, charts, and a laptop, discussing plans in a construction site.

Project teams choose RunBrook for:

  • ENERGY STAR certification guidance

  • HERS rating and energy modeling support

  • Residential, multifamily, production home, and commercial project expertise

  • Field inspections and diagnostic testing

  • Blower door and duct leakage testing capabilities

  • HVAC grading and building performance knowledge

  • Clear communication with builders, developers, owners, and project teams

  • Support for high-volume construction schedules

  • Coordination with green building certification goals

  • Service throughout Florida and select projects outside Florida

Frequently asked questions

  • ENERGY STAR certification is a recognized energy performance certification program backed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It applies to products, homes, apartments, commercial buildings, and manufacturing plants that meet established energy efficiency standards.

  • ENERGY STAR certification can apply to new homes, apartments, multifamily buildings, commercial buildings, and certain existing buildings depending on the program pathway and eligibility requirements.

  • Yes. RunBrook can help review the project type, location, goals, and requirements to determine which ENERGY STAR pathway may be appropriate.

  • For many residential new construction projects, HERS ratings and Rater verification are an important part of the ENERGY STAR certification process. RunBrook can support HERS ratings, field verification, and related testing.

  • Many residential and multifamily ENERGY STAR projects require field verification and diagnostic testing, which may include blower door testing, duct leakage testing, HVAC grading, and related inspections depending on the applicable program requirements.

  • ENERGY STAR NextGen is a newer certification for high-performing new homes and apartments that builds on the ENERGY STAR label with additional performance expectations.

  • Yes. ENERGY STAR is a widely recognized label that can help builders, developers, and owners communicate verified energy efficiency, quality, and performance to buyers, renters, tenants, and stakeholders.

  • Yes. While many of RunBrook’s clients are located in Florida, our team can support select ENERGY STAR projects outside Florida depending on project scope, schedule, and location.

Two people shake hands at a construction site during sunset, with blueprints and safety gear on the table.

Prefer to talk first?

Call us at 1-833-RunBrook

(1-833-786-2766)

or email us directly at info@runbrook.com

We’ll get back to you right away!

Discuss Your Next Project

If your project requires energy modeling, certification support, HERS ratings, blower door testing, or other building performance services, RunBrook can help keep the process moving from design through final verification.