Requirements for Builders
There are three different ways to meet the Builders Challenge: 1) through a partner program; 2) with prescriptive Builder Option Packages that lay out the most cost-effective design for a given climate (one in each climate qualifies for the Federal Tax Credit) or, 3) by taking the performance path. The performance path requires that the home be designed to perform between 70-0 on the E-Scale using software that has been accredited in accordance with the RESNet software accreditation procedures and is described step-by-step here. Both the prescriptive and performance paths require third-party verification by a qualified professional or a clearly documented quality control procedure. Qualified professionals include HERS raters, registered architects, and professional engineers. These professionals will rate the homes, assigning them the appropriate number on the E-Scale.
In addition to the commitment to build homes to a 70 or better on the E-Scale, builders must commit to following the Builders Challenge Quality Criteria (BCQC) (PDF 158 KB). The Quality Criteria require different parties to conduct, confirm, and/or verify good building practices for Builders Challenge homes.
The three paths are outlined in the table below:
| Eligible Candidates | Pathways to Meeting the Challenge | Design & Performance Analysis | Minimum Required Performance | Verification Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any builder of new U.S. housing, including all single-family (attached and detached) and low-rise multi-family (3 stories or less) | 1. Partner Program | Achieve an equivalent level of performance within a partner program | Equivalent performance as defined by the partner program and certified as equivalent by DOE | Partner-specified QA/QC procedure |
| 2. Prescriptive | Build to the Builders Challenge-Builder Option Package (BC-BOP) guidelines for the appropriate climate | Meet all BC-BOP criteria for the climate | Third-party verification or company-based QA/QC program | |
| 3. Performance (MS Word 449 KB) |
Build a high performance house that achieves, at a minimum, the required E-Scale performance level | Meet the E-Scale level of 70 or better, as determined by modeling software accredited by RESNET accreditation procedures | Third-party verification or company-based QA/QC program |
Climate-specific Builder Option Packages (BOPS) will be made available to help assist builders to achieve the Builders Challenge performance level.