HERS Testing
HERS testing is the independent field verification California requires when permitted work touches your HVAC system, ducts, insulation or building envelope. We measure what was actually installed, register the results, and get the job to final. Under the 2025 Energy Code this testing is called ECC field verification: same job, new name.
HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. Under California's Energy Code, certain energy features can't simply be installed and signed off by the contractor who installed them. A third-party rater has to verify them in the field with calibrated equipment, then register the results with a state-approved provider. Until that registration exists, the building department has nothing to close the permit against.
Which measures get tested depends on what the plans and the CF-1R call for. A condenser swap usually triggers refrigerant charge and airflow verification. New or altered ducts trigger duct leakage testing. A whole-house project can trigger those plus insulation verification and ventilation checks. We read the paperwork first so nobody pays for a test the job never needed.
What the Testing Involves
- Diagnostic testing on the specific measures your permit triggers
- Calibrated equipment and the state-approved testing protocols
- Results registered with a HERS / ECC provider, not just written up
- Retesting after corrections so the job actually closes out
What You Receive
- Registered CF-2R and CF-3R documentation
- A clear report of every measured value
- Copies sent to you, the contractor and the homeowner
Common Questions
HERS or ECC: what's the difference?
Mostly the name. On January 1, 2026, California's Energy Code Compliance (ECC) program replaced the HERS program for the field verification and diagnostic testing that permits require. HERS raters are now recognized as ECC-Raters, and paperwork under the 2025 Energy Code says “ECC” where it used to say “HERS.” Projects permitted under earlier code cycles still use HERS forms. Either way, we do the testing and register the results so your permit can close.
What happens if the system fails the test?
Nothing dramatic. We tell the contractor exactly which measure fell short and by how much, they make the correction, and we retest. A failed first test is common on duct work and charge, and it is far cheaper to find it before the inspector does.
How long does HERS testing take?
Most single-system residential jobs take about an hour on site. Multi-system homes and commercial spaces take longer, and we will tell you the expected window when we schedule.
Do I need to be there?
Someone needs to provide access to the equipment, the registers and the attic or crawl space. That is usually the contractor. Homeowners do not need to be present if the contractor is.
Need HERS Testing This Week?
Call with the address and the scope, or send it through the form. We will tell you exactly which tests the permit triggers.