​How can Houston home builders participate in CenterPoint Energy's High Efficiency Homes Program?

Homebuyers aren’t the only group with an interest in energy-efficient homes. Builders can also take advantage of the energy-efficient homes trend and reap the many benefits of CenterPoint Energy's High Efficiency Homes Program. 

Designed to encourage builders to construct ENERGY STAR certified homes and other homes built above code, this program can help you as a contractor with access to marketing and sales assistance, financial incentives and much more. 

Find out more about this program and how you can participate as a home builder, HVAC installer or HERS rater.

Program requirements

There are a few requirements for new construction to qualify for this program. Meeting these requirements is easy enough for the majority of home builders and other professionals looking to join the program.

Home location

A home must be located in CenterPoint’s service area within Greater Houston and receive an electric distribution from CenterPoint Energy. Eligibility will be confirmed with the placement of a permanent electric utility revenue meter and when the ESI ID is assigned to the property’s address.

If you have any questions about the exact location of a building site and its qualifications for the High Efficiency Homes Program, contact us for more specific information.

Build and meter set date

In order to qualify for the program within a particular year, the date of having the utility meter set will determine which year's requirements the home must meet. For example, homes that qualify in 2023 must have the CenterPoint permanent utility revenue meter set on or after September 1, 2022. 

For the final certificate of occupancy as self-reported by a qualified HERS rater, the date must be on or after November 1, 2022.

Requirements for builders

Builders must fill out an application for each home built that qualifies for this program. They will need to hire a RESNET-approved energy rater to test and inspect the home at the end of construction. 

An active AHRI certificate of efficiency must be presented for all installed heating and cooling equipment in the home. 

There may be information requests about specific systems or methods of construction used in the home which the builder must comply with. Coordination is also needed with the HERS rater and HVAC contractors on the home to create a complete incentive application.

Requirements for HVAC contractors

HVAC contractors must install AHRI-certified heating and cooling equipment. All heat pumps, furnaces and other HVAC units installed must meet the SEER and/or HSPF expectations of the home builder and other applicable standards. Best practices must be used and documented for all installations. 

The HVAC installer is also responsible for providing vital efficiency information to the HERS rater and home builder, such as fan wattage and overall ventilation flow rates. Finally, AHRI ratings must be supplied when requested as well.

Requirements for HERS raters

HERS raters play an essential role in measuring the efficiency of the home and they must fully test the completed construction according to the local energy code. They must provide full inspection reports, upon request, that demonstrate compliance as outlined in CenterPoint Energy's High Efficiency Homes Program guide.