Missouri Home Energy Certification Program - Frequently Asked Questions for Homeowners - PUB2879

What is the Missouri Home Energy Certification Program?

The Missouri Home Energy Certification program, a program of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Energy, is designed to provide for a voluntary approach to promote energy efficient homes through clear and meaningful recognition. The criteria for recognition have been determined by working with interested and affected parties. Many of the existing energy programs have been taken into account regarding all aspects of home energy use and how they can tie together to recognize a home’s energy efficiency.

How may a home qualify?

An eligible home can achieve one of two levels of certification under this program: Gold level or silver level.

There are three ways to achieve gold certification. The first relies on existing rating systems, such as the U.S. Department of Energy's Home Energy Score, Home Energy Rating System Index and Columbia Water & Light’s Efficiency Score, to set the threshold for efficiency. The second approach recognizes homes that have installed significant assets to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (2012 IECC) level or have achieved Energy Star Certified Home designation on or after Jan. 1, 2017. The third way to achieve gold is by receiving a Pearl Gold Certification or higher.

For silver certification, homes will be recognized for significant energy efficiency improvements or for completing a majority of the cost-effective energy efficiency measures identified in an energy audit. The approach will be measured using the Home Energy Score, Home Energy Rating System Index, Columbia Water & Light's Efficiency Score, Pearl Silver Certification or as modeled by an approved software program. To earn the silver certification, homeowners must have participated in an approved Missouri program or received an energy audit.

Why should my home achieve a Missouri Home Energy Certification?

By achieving certification, it implies a certain level of savings, efficiency and performance. Missouri Home Energy Certification recognizes national best practices and by making the information available to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), used by the National Association of Realtors®, certification could add value toward the home’s sale or purchase. The program recognizes the most energy efficient Missouri homes in a simple and clear manner and provides appropriate value signals on the worth of efficient homes to Missouri homeowners and the real estate industry.

Which types of homes are eligible under this program?

An application may be submitted for any new or existing single-family home, excluding manufactured housing in Missouri through a certified home energy auditor certified by the department or have a pearl certification.

How much does it cost to apply?

There is no cost for the application itself. There may, however, be costs involved in a home energy audit or energy efficiency retrofits and the cost will vary depending on the home and the retrofits being implemented.

How do I apply?

Applications can be submitted through the Green Building Registry™ for Missouri only by a Certified Home Energy Auditor who is currently certified by the department. In order to achieve a certification, interested homeowners should work with a certified auditor.

How do I find a Certified Home Energy Auditor in my area?

A certified Home Energy Auditor in your area is available online.

What does the certificate look like?

Samples of gold and silver certificates are available on Missouri Home Energy Certification’s program website.

How long will the review process take and how can I check the application status?

Once the auditor submits the audit information into the Green Building Registry™ he will receive conformation immediately or be alerted to any concerns with the information. The homeowner may make the information on the audit public if he so desires by simply letting the auditor know during the audit that is his preference. Once the information is made public, it may be searchable by listing services interested in energy efficient homes. A homeowner can check on the status by going to the Green Building Registry™ website and searching the address. If a homeowner opts to not have the information made public, they may change that at anytime by contacting the department's Division of Energy or the program lead for the local program they may be participating in.

How do I know if my home has qualified for certification?

The homeowner may check at any time by going to the Green Building Registry™ website and searching the address. For any qualifying homes, a certificate may be downloaded and printed from the site.

What are the penalties for falsified information?

This program is made available through the the department's State Energy Program. As such, there are stringent penalties associated with any fraudulent activity. Should this occur, the department will notify the appropriate federal and state authorities. Penalties under this program may be monetary or even include jail time if convicted. The culpable party may also be suspended from further participation in Missouri Home Energy Certification and other department programs.