HERS Ratings & Energy Code Compliance for Iowa Builders
Home Star Iowa works directly with home builders to handle Blower Door Testing, HERS ratings, energy code compliance documentation, and ENERGY STAR certification so you can focus on building.
Rob Novak is a RESNET-certified HERS Rater and QA Designee with over 15 years of building science experience. He’s worked with builders on projects ranging from single custom homes to production subdivisions across Eastern Iowa.
Need blower door testing, duct leakage testing, REScheck documentation, or a HERS rating for an Iowa project? Call or text 319.244.8564 info@homestariowa.com
Services for Home Builders
Energy Code Compliance (IECC)
Iowa follows the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Before a certificate of occupancy is issued, your project needs to demonstrate compliance — typically through a REScheck report or third-party field verification.
Home Star Iowa can:
- Review your plans and generate REScheck compliance documentation
- Perform field verification of insulation, air sealing, windows, and mechanical systems
- Document and sign off on compliance for permit and CO purposes
- Catch code deficiencies before final inspection, not after
This is often the first call builders make when working with us — and the service that keeps projects moving on schedule.
HERS Rating
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index scores a home’s projected energy performance. A lower score means a more efficient home. A HERS 100 is the IECC 2006 reference home; most new construction today targets the 50–70 range.
Builders use HERS ratings to:
- Qualify homes for ENERGY STAR certification
- Meet lender requirements for energy-efficient mortgage products
- Differentiate listings — HERS scores are increasingly shown on MLS
- Satisfy utility program requirements for rebates or incentives
As a RESNET-certified rater, Rob performs both the projected rating (from plans) and the confirmed rating (post-construction with blower door verification), providing the documentation your buyer, lender, or program requires.
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes
ENERGY STAR certification for new homes requires meeting a defined performance threshold — typically a HERS score below a program-specific target — plus field verification of thermal enclosure, HVAC systems, and water management details.
Benefits for builders:
- A nationally recognized third-party label that buyers understand
- Qualification for utility rebate programs that can be passed to buyers
- Competitive differentiation in the Iowa new construction market
Home Star Iowa handles the rating, inspections, and certification paperwork. You build the home; we handle the credential.
How It Works
Most builder relationships follow this sequence:
- Pre-construction call — We review your plans, identify compliance pathways, and confirm what ratings or certifications apply to your project
- Projected rating / REScheck — We generate compliance documentation from plans before breaking ground
- Rough-in inspection — We verify insulation and air sealing details before drywall
- Final inspection + blower door — Post-construction verification and confirmed HERS rating
- Report delivery — You receive all documentation needed for permit closeout, lender submission, or program certification
Turnaround is fast. We understand construction schedules don’t wait.
Why Use a Third-Party Rater?
Iowa code increasingly requires third-party verification — not self-certification. Using a RESNET-credentialed rater means:
- Your documentation will hold up at inspection and permit closeout
- Your HERS rating is defensible for lender, program, and MLS purposes
- You have a building science resource on the project who catches problems before they become punch list items
And practically: it separates the rating function from the builder, which is what lenders, programs, and ENERGY STAR all require.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a HERS rating for every new home I build? Not always — it depends on whether you’re pursuing ENERGY STAR, working with a lender that requires it, or targeting a utility program. Code compliance documentation (REScheck) is typically required regardless. Call us and we’ll tell you exactly what applies to your project type.
How far in advance should I contact you? Before you finalize plans is ideal for compliance review. At minimum, before rough-in so we can schedule inspections without delaying your schedule.
What areas do you serve? Eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marion, Hiawatha, North Liberty, Coralville, and surrounding areas. Call to confirm coverage for your project location.
What does it cost? Pricing depends on home size, services needed, and number of units. Contact us for a quote — call or text 319.244.8564.
Can you work with production builders or just custom homes? Both. We’ve worked with custom home builders and production subdivisions. Volume pricing is available for builders with multiple units.
About Your Rater
Rob Novak holds RESNET HERS Rater and QA Designee credentials and is BPI-certified across building analyst, shell, heating, and mechanical disciplines. He comes from 15 years in HVAC before founding Home Star Iowa — which means he reads a set of plans and a mechanical schedule as one integrated system, not two separate problems.
Need blower door testing, duct leakage testing, REScheck documentation, or a HERS rating for an Iowa project? Call or text 319.244.8564 info@homestariowa.com