Energy Star Streamlines SIP Home Inspection

The federal Energy Star™ program has announced that homes built with structural insulated panels (SIPs) are no longer required to undergo a blower-door test to qualify for an Energy Star rating. Instead, homes built using SIPs for all exterior walls and roof construction can choose to qualify for Energy Star through a visual inspection by a Home Energy Rating System rater and a SIP manufacturer field inspector. Both inspectors must look at the joints between panels as well as other aspects of the construction to ensure that air infiltration will be suitably low. The inspection form is available at www.energystar.gov/home.