Introduction

The EarthCraft House Technical Guidelines apply to all new construction and gut rehab projects in the EarthCraft House program, including single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes. When verifying items for an EarthCraft project, EarthCraft Builders and EarthCraft Technical Advisors shall reference these Guidelines to ensure all requirements have been met.

If local building codes conflict with or are more stringent than the EarthCraft Technical Guidelines, the local code shall be followed. The Builder must notify the Technical Advisor of any changes required for the home to meet local codes.

Materials and methods described are representative of typical strategies that meet the intent of the criteria, but do not represent all strategies that may be used. The project team may request permission from EarthCraft to meet the intent of the credit using a different approach. Approval from EarthCraft must be obtained prior to implementation.

The EarthCraft House Program

The EarthCraft House program prioritizes resource efficiency and smart construction practices. It is organized into with primary categories, each of which details specific criteria. The primary categories are:

EarthCraft's base level certification is called EarthCraft certified. An EarthCraft certified home is an energy efficient home that meets code requirements for envelope specifications and is above code on envelope performance and indoor air quality (IAQ).

Projects seeking to further distinguish themselves for building performance, environmental awareness and/or occupant health and safety may seek additional certification packages. These packages, or certification badges, fall into four (4) categories: Comfort (CMFT), Environment (ENV), Health (HLTH) and Performance (PERF).

Badges are optional add-ons for any EarthCraft certified project. Each has its own requirements that projects must meet in order to obtain the badge. Since these badges serve to enhance different areas of the EarthCraft House program, their specific requirements may be distributed within multiple sections of the EarthCraft House worksheet. The table below highlights the areas each badge enhances:

Certification Process

Project Eligibility

Projects that meet the below criteria are eligible for EarthCraft House certification:

A. Single-Family detached 

• New construction, built upon a new or existing foundation 
• Ancillary structures that are intended to be habitable and share the same address as the primary house, such as a guest house or a suite above a garage, will be subject to the same criteria as the primary house

B. Townhome, row home or duplex 

• Each dwelling unit must have its own unique postal address 
• No dwelling units are intended for rental purposes 
• Each dwelling unit will be registered as an individual project

Builder Responsibilities

Determine project eligibility 

• Contact EarthCraft if you are uncertain which EarthCraft program your project qualifies for. 

Registration

Projects that meet the below criteria are eligible for EarthCraft House certification: To initiate a new EarthCraft project, a project registration form must be completed. A project may be registered by any individual involved with the project. The registration fee must be paid in full before certification will be awarded.

Builder Responsibilities

Hire a Technical Advisor (TA) 

• The TA will track the project throughout the certification process and provide all EarthCraft verification, diagnostic testing and energy modeling services as they apply to the certification path selected by the builder.

If assigning registration responsibility to the Technical Advisor or another representative from the builder company, provide registrant with all the information needed to complete the registration form: 

• Building type 
• Conditioned square footage 
• Number of stories 
• Number of bedrooms 
• Project address
• Billing contact 
• Permit date

Technical Advisor Responsibilities

Ensure the project has been registered with EarthCraft

Note: A project must be registered with EarthCraft prior to the completion of the midconstruction review

Design Review

The Design Review is an opportunity to identify project goals and ensure measures are in place to meet all the criteria set by EarthCraft. If applicable, the preliminary energy model will be used to estimate performance and determine if any improvements are needed to achieve the performance badge.

Builder Responsibilities

Send the following documents to the Technical Advisor for review: 

• Completed construction specification sheet demonstrating how the project will meet EarthCraft requirements 
• Project worksheet that lists which requirements will be applicable and which optional badges will be pursued, if any 
• Manual J load calculations and Manual S equipment selection 
• Drawings and specifications 
• The builder shall note any areas of the worksheet they have questions on so that potential issues may be resolved during the design phase of the project

Technical Advisor Responsibilities

Review all materials provided by the Builder 

• Determine the project’s ability to achieve certification 
  • If necessary, develop options to meet program criteria 
• Address all questions and concerns presented by the Builder 
  • Contact EarthCraft if further clarification is needed 
• Identify effective cost trade-offs for improving building performance 
• Identify areas of potential confusion or failure 
• If applicable, complete preliminary energy model 

Mid-Construction Review

During the mid-construction review, the TA will begin to gather verification documentation and conduct the mid-construction inspection(s).

Builder Responsibilities

• Schedule the initial mid-construction inspection with your TA 
• At least one inspection must occur after insulation installation, but prior to the hanging of drywall 
• Ensure the project is ready for inspection 
  • Framing, rough-in, air sealing, and insulation installation must be complete and ready for visual inspection 
  • The TA must be able to visually verify that framing, air sealing and insulation requirements have been met

Note: The minimum insulation installation that should be installed during the mid-construction review is for exterior wall insulation. If necessary, the TA may visually inspect attic and floor insulation during a final inspection. Builders shall discuss when all areas of insulation will be inspected with their TA during the design review, or prior to completing all inspections during the mid-construction review.

Technical Advisor Responsibilities

Follow up with Builder to ensure the inspection is scheduled during the appropriate time of construction

Perform the inspection 

• Verify applicable worksheet items 
• Confirm the Manual J reflects the home as constructed 
• If applicable, confirm the energy model represents the home as constructed

Inform the Builder if the project passed inspection 

• If necessary, outline items that need correction or further attention

Final Review

As construction activities near completion, the Technical Advisor will verify all remaining worksheet items and conduct final diagnostic testing.

Builder Responsibilities

Schedule the final inspection with your TA 

• Inspection shall occur after all interior finishing work has been completed, but prior to occupancy Ensure the project is ready for inspection 
• All unverified worksheet items must be completed and accessible

Technical Advisor Responsibilities

Follow up with Builder to ensure the inspection is scheduled during the appropriate time of construction

Perform the inspection 

• Conduct diagnostic testing 
• Verify applicable worksheet items 
• If applicable, confirm the energy model represents the home as constructed

Inform the Builder if the project passed inspection 

• If necessary, outline items that need correction or further attention

Certification

At certification the TA will provide EarthCraft with all documentation necessary for review. After EarthCraft has reviewed and accepted all documentation, the certificate will be awarded.

Technical Advisor Responsibilities

Complete the inspection report 

• This must be completed no later than forty-five (45) days after the first final inspection 
• Create a new inspection record in Salesforce and populate the relevant input fields

Assemble the certification submittal package 

• Final worksheet • Worksheet cover, signed by builder and TA 
• Projects showing compliance through an energy model* must submit: 
  • Home Energy Rating Certificate (HERS Certificate) 
  • IECC Fuel Summary Report

*Energy models must be confirmed by the provider prior to submitting to EarthCraft.

*Reports without print permission or not listed as confirmed will not be accepted

Submit all submittal documents to EarthCraft 

• This must be completed no later than forty-five (45) days after the first final inspection 
• Create a new certification submittal record in Salesforce and attach all the required documentation