What's New? To learn about the most recent updates to the ZERH Version 2 program included in the revised program documents which were released in October 2024, see the ZERH Version 2 Revision Updates Webinar. (November 2024, 23 minutes)
Welcome to the ZERH Education Hub
Working on a project and need to understand the technical details? The ZERH Education Hub provides partners with training videos created by DOE, links to helpful content from other organizations, and information about training requirements for Raters working with the program.
If you have questions about the content presented here, don't hesitate to contact program staff at [email protected].
Orientation Training
This training introduces partners to the basics of ZERH, including registration, partnership benefits, and how to earn a certification. (August 2023, 33 minutes. Read the text version.)
Single Family Version 2 | This training provides an overview of the program’s structure, mandatory certification requirements, efficiency performance threshold, and available partner resources. (April 2024, 39 minutes. Read the text version.)
Multifamily Version 2 (Part 1) | This training provides an overview of the program’s structure and mandatory requirements. The performance threshold and certification process are covered in Part 2. (November 2024, 44 minutes.)
Multifamily Version 2 (Part 2 - ERI Path) | This training builds on Part 1, above. It covers the performance threshold and certification process for projects certifying under the Energy Rating Index (ERI) path of ZERH Multifamily Version 2. (December 2024, 22 minutes.)
California Single Family Version 2 | This training provides an overview of the program's structure, mandatory requirements, efficiency performance threshold, and available partner resources. (August 2024, 37 minutes. Read the text version.)
Rater Training Requirements
For each ZERH program version, Raters are required to take a set of training modules and associated assessments prior to completing their first inspection on a project. These modules and assessments are administered, tracked, and recorded by DOE-Recognized ZERH Certification Organizations. As new training modules are developed and required for different ZERH specifications, Raters must complete them according to the chart below.
| ZERH Program Version | Required Training Modules/Assessments | Date Launched by DOE | Transition Period* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Family Version 2 (National and California) | ZERH Version 2 Orientation Training | 9/5/2023 | 9/5/2023 - 12/5/2023 |
| Multifamily Version 2 (National and California) | ZERH Version 2 Orientation Training | 9/5/2023 | 11/15/2023 - 2/15/2024 |
| Single Family Version 2 (National) | ZERH Single Family Version 2 Training | 4/10/2024 | 4/10/2024 - 8/1/2024 |
| Single Family Version 2 (California) | ZERH Single Family Version 2 (California) Training | 8/15/2024 | 8/15/2024 - 11/15/2024 |
| Single Family Version 2 (National and California) | ZERH Single Family Version 2 2024 Revision Updates | 11/15/2024 | 11/15/2024 - 2/15/2025 |
| Multifamily Version 2 (National) | ZERH Multifamily Version 2 Training (Module 1) | 11/20/2024 | 11/20/2024 - 2/20/2025 |
| Multifamily Version 2 (National) | ZERH Multifamily Version 2 Training (Module 2) | 12/31/2024 | 1/1/2025 - 4/1/2025 |
| * Raters certifying ZERH projects must successfully complete this module/assessment on or before the end of the transition period. If a Rater has not completed the training by the end of this period, they are NOT eligible to inspect or certify ZERH projects pending successful completion of this module and assessment. |
External Education Resources
EEBA | High Performance Multifamily: An Introduction to the ENERGY STAR & Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Multifamily New Construction Programs | An introduction to the 45L tax credit and the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction and ZERH Multifamily Version 2 program requirements, with an emphasis on how the programs overlap and where ZERH increases efficiency compared to ENERGY STAR. (October 2024, 48 minutes) Read the text version.
EPA | ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Workbook Tutorial | A walk-through of EPA's Multifamily New Construction Excel Workbook - a documentation tool for the ENERGY STAR program, with addenda to include compatibility with ZERH Multifamily Version 2 and ZERH Version 1 Revision 9.0. (July 2024, 60 minutes)
NAHB | Single-Family New Homes Programs - Federal Incentives | An introduction to EPA’s ENERGY STAR Single Family New Homes and DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home Single Family programs, with a focus on the 45L tax credit. (April 2024, 64 minutes)
NAHB | Multifamily New Construction Programs - Federal Incentives | An introduction to EPA's ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction and DOE's Zero Energy Ready Home Multifamily programs, with a focus on the 45L tax credit. (April 2024, 60 minutes)
USGBC | Making it Pencil: Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits and Green Multifamily Housing Construction | A guide to using IRA dollars to help finance green multifamily projects. (April 2024, 64 minutes)
USGBC | Multifamily Green Building Incentives: ENERGY STAR, Zero Energy Ready Homes, LEED, and Section 45L | A walk-through of the EPA ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction and the U.S. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Multifamily programs, along with guidance on how to sequence activities to achieve dual certification that meets the updated 45L tax credit for energy efficient new homes. (December 2023, 73 minutes)