All About Energy Ratings Group
Energy Ratings Group (ERG) is Thermal Shop’s sister company. While Thermal Shop’s purview is insulation and air sealing services, ERG’s speciality is home and business energy ratings. Thermal Shop and ERG oftentimes work together- the specialities and knowledge of one informing the other- to offer superior services at both companies. Read on to learn all about ERG services, and exactly how ERG and Thermal Shop’s partnership strengthens and enhances Thermal Shop’s offering.
Services at ERG
Insulation Inspections
Insulation- as we know and believe at Thermal Shop- is an important part of a home’s energy package. This is because the quality of air-sealing and insulation has a direct impact on the efficiency of a house or structure. Thermal Shop’s partnership with ERG provides high-quality and meticulous insulation and air-sealing inspections, whether or not Thermal Shop was your insulator. At ERG, inspections are often included in energy-testing packages and services (especially for new homes). So, make sure to get your insulation inspection scheduled before drywall goes up. This service can be extremely useful for insulation DIYers who want to make sure that they completed their project not only to current energy code standards, but to the standards of insulation and air-sealing experts.
Energy Code Compliance Testing
For meeting the requirements of Energy Code in Iowa, Energy Ratings Group is available to help homeowners and builders with RES checks, blower door tests, and duct testing. In a nutshell, a RES check is used to determine if the plan for a new house is likely to meet the requirements of the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), and is an essential part of moving forward with a build. A blower door test is used to determine the airtightness of a home, and duct testing is used to evaluate the amount of leakage in a duct system. All new homes must meet Iowa Energy Code- and ERG is here to help you do it.
HERS Rating
HERS (Home Energy Rating System) is a nationally recognized method for evaluating the energy performance of a home, and is a required element for energy code in Iowa. It is also a common qualifier for homes attempting to gain eligibility for other incentives, rebates, and financial assistance programs. The HERS Index is a scale ranging from 1 to 150 with the average 2006 home testing in at 100. The lower score, the more energy efficient the home. HERS testing includes insulation inspections, blower door testing, and duct testing. Call Energy Ratings Group and get your HERS Rating scheduled today.
Energy Program Incentives Assistance
ERG has ample experience administering various energy programs (listed below), offering individual services to help people qualify for their desired program without paying for more than they need. Don’t leave money on the table- allow ERG’s experience to navigate the complexity of these programs, and to help determine what is possible for your home.
DOE Net Zero ($5,000 tax credit)
Energy Star ($2,500 rebate)
CFU Future Ready Homes ($5,000 rebate)
Linn County REC B.E. Smart ($2,000 rebate)
Iowa City HERS 52 Grant ($1,800 rebate)
CNC Commercial through Alliant Energy and Mid American
Thermal Shop & ERG’s Partnership and How it can Benefit You:
All of Thermal Shop’s insulation is bid, installed, and (if new construction) inspected with an up-to-date and robust knowledge of Iowa 2012 Energy Code. This means you are guaranteed to pass local and/or state insulation inspections without the hassle.
Thermal Shop’s building science knowledge is backed by the data of ERG testing. This deep well of experience and understanding allows us to design efficient systems, diagnose problems, and offer solutions for everything insulation, air-sealing, and home energy rating. This means that problems get solved easier and faster. Or, better yet, they never exist at all!
If you are aiming to qualify for a particular energy program, the ERG/Thermal Shop partnership can help design and execute a plan that will get you qualified.
Better rates for package deals combining insulation from Thermal Shop with energy testing from Energy Ratings Group.
For your next project, whether you are needing insulation, energy testing, or both- keep Thermal Shop and Energy Ratings Group in mind.
