What is the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program?

Going above and beyond the ENERGY STAR program, the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Program represents a new level of performance in building energy efficiency, comfort, health, and durability.

Why should I be interested in DOE ZERH?

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 45L Tax Credit includes a $1,000 per unit incentive for multifamily projects with ENERGY STAR MFNC + DOE Zero Energy Ready certification. It jumps to $5,000 per unit if Prevailing Wage requirements are met.

What is required for DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certification?

Certification requires meeting specific HERS/ERI targets for HVAC, ventilation, insulation, infiltration, windows, and water heaters. It also builds on ENERGY STAR by adding EPA Indoor airPLUS certification and demonstrating PV-Readiness.

Department of Energy Certification

Zero Energy Ready Homes

The Multifamily Edition.

Verified by Apollo Energies to be 40%-50% more energy efficient than typical new homes. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program is a requirement for doubling the §45L Tax Credits.

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HERS Index Target Generally corresponds to a HERS Score in the low to mid-50s based on region.

Indoor airPLUS Minimizes exposure to airborne pollutants for exceptional health and comfort.

PV-Solar Ready Conduit pre-run and roof space reserved for right-sized solar arrays.

You can still make your home Zero Energy Ready

The Big Beautiful Bill cancelled the tax incentives to pay for Trump's tax cuts for corporate America.

Are You Zero Energy Ready?

Capture Maximum Tax Incentives.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home recognizes homes that achieve exceptional levels of energy savings, comfort, health, and durability. For multifamily projects, this certification is the key to unlocking maximum incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act.

ENERGY STAR Baseline

Going above and beyond the ENERGY STAR program, ZERH builds stricter requirements on top of the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes and Multifamily New Construction programs.

45L Tax Credit Boost

Secure a $1,000 per unit incentive for standard certification, jumping to $5,000 per unit when combined with Prevailing Wage requirements.

Indoor airPLUS

A mandatory EPA program addition requiring construction practices and product specifications that drastically improve the quality of indoor air for residents.

DOE ZERH Target Home Requirements

The reference ‘Target Home’ for DOE ZERH has higher specifications. The table below represents what your design will be compared to in terms of its Energy Rating Index (or HERS score). Example for Mixed Climates (Zones 3 & 4 except Marine).

Component	DOE ZERH Target Home
Heating & Cooling	15 SEER / 9 HSPF
ASHRAE 62.2 Mechanical Ventilation	2.8 cfm/W
Insulation	2015 IECC
Infiltration	2.5 ACH50
Windows (U-value & SHGC)	U-value: 0.30 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: 0.25
Water Heater	Energy Factor = 1.5 (electric system in an attached dwelling)
Appliances	ENERGY STAR Certified

Let us help you!

Are you curious to know what it would take for your multifamily new construction to meet the DOE ZERH requirements? We can help by assessing your existing plans and listing the upgrades needed.

Give us a call today to get started →