Certificate of Completion

Upgrading your home means a lot more if you can receive recognition for doing so! Only Illinois Home Performance can offer the following:

• IHP follows the national Home Performance with Energy Star program's guidelines, allowing participants to receive the Energy Star upon completion of their upgrade.
• IHP provides participants with a third-party verified Ilinois Home Performance with Energy Star Certificate of Completion, detailing improvements and energy savings.
• Beginning in early 2012, this certification will be included as one of the Chicago-area MLS's third-party certification designating a green and sustainable home.

Several reports from other parts of the US that have longer-running "green home" fields in the MLS have found that there is an emerging trend of certified green homes selling faster or for a price premium - or both!

Illinois Home Performance's Two Certificate Options

Earning the Silver Certificate

• Follow IHP process (click here)
• Upgrade achieves at least 15% modeled total energy savings reduction from the baseline determined during the home energy assessment

Earning the Gold Certificate

• Follow IHP process (click here)
• Meet each of the following performance metrics:
  1. Ventilation: Meets requirements set forth in ASHRAE 62.2 2007
  2. Building infiltration rate: 4 ACH50 –OR – 30% reduction below baseline (NOTE: If multiple IHP home improvement projects have been undertaken at a single residence, the air leakage rate baseline is determined by first IHP home energy assessment.)
• Meet four out of the five metrics listed below:
  
  1. Duct leakage rate (when ducts are partially or fully outside the conditioned space): Sum of supply and return leakage to the outside divided by fan flow ≤ 10%
  2. Wall insulation: R≥13
  3. Attic insulation: R≥49 (not required for cathedral ceilings)
  4. Basement/crawlspace insulation: If unconditioned, floor insulation R≥30 –OR – If conditioned, wall insulation R≥10 continuous or R≥13 cavity; in either instance, must be installed with proper air sealing and venting so as to avoid moisture problems. Not required for exposed masonry.
  5. Heating and cooling equipment: ENERGY STAR qualified, subject to manufacturer installation specifications

Upon completion of your upgrade, your Illinois Home Performance contractor will submit a copy of your home energy audit report as well as documentation of your energy improvements to the local program provider.  The provider will review everything and submit the materials to MEEA, the IHP Statewide Coordinator, who will mail you your Certificate!

Download the IHP Process Figure

Want to learn more? The nitty-gritty certification details can be found here.