Complete FAQs

HVAC 2 Home Performance operates in three core service silos. Each silo can stand alone or integrate into a full performance-based package:

• Residential & Multifamily HVAC Design
  • Manual J/S/D-based HVAC design
  • Ventilation and humidity control strategies
  • High-performance and green-program–ready designs
  • New construction and deep retrofit consulting
• HVAC-Centric Training & Education
  • Permanent Load Reduction and load calculation training
  • Field-verified load input training (Manual J, ERI alignment)
  • measureQuick® and TrueFlow® Grid Verified User training
  • Commissioning and performance verification training
  • Architect, builder, and HVAC contractor education
  • HVAC ADHD vodcast and short-form educational content
• Testing, Commissioning and Verification
  • Full HVAC commissioning benchmarked in measureQuick®
  • Blower door and duct leakage testing
  • ERI Ratings for new and existing homes
  • Green building verification (ENERGY STAR, LEED, NGBS, Passive House)
  • Light commercial TAB and functional performance testing

Most in-house designs are built around equipment sales and avoiding call-backs, not long-term performance. A third-party, brand-agnostic designer is focused on comfort, durability, efficiency, and risk reduction.

Key advantages of third-party design include:

• Right-sized equipment based on proper Manual J load calculations
• Manual S equipment selection using expanded OEM data, not just nameplate tonnage
• Manual D duct design that actually moves the required airflow quietly and efficiently
• Humidity and ventilation planning that protects both comfort and building durability
• Alignment with green building and electrification goals, not just meeting code

The Verified™ Program is a performance-based certification system that proves HVAC systems and homes are:

• Designed correctly (Design Verified™)
• Installed correctly (Installed Per Design Verified™)
• Performing correctly in the field (Performance Verified™)

Every Verified™ product requires system benchmarking in measureQuick® and field-verified load calculation inputs. For Verified Home™, it also includes a complete, certified ERI Rating.

Verified Home™ is the top-tier whole-home performance certification from HVAC 2 Home Performance. It confirms that the home’s design, installation, and real-world performance align with modern building science and mechanical standards.

A Verified Home™ includes:

• Design Verified™ mechanical design (Manual J/S/D)
• Installed Per Design Verified™ installation review
• Performance Verified™ commissioning and testing
• Complete, certified ERI Rating
• Field-verified load calculation inputs, including thermal and window values
• measureQuick® system performance benchmarks

New homes follow a design-forward, construction-integrated Verified™ pathway that controls performance from day one:

• Pre-construction mechanical design review (Manual J/S/D, ventilation, dehumidification)
• ERI Pre-Drywall Inspection to field-verify load-driving inputs and thermal assemblies
• Installed Per Design verification to ensure the HVAC contractor followed the approved design
• Full system commissioning benchmarked in measureQuick®
• Final ERI Rating generated with actual as-built data
• Verified Home™ certification issued when design, installation, and performance all align

Existing homes go through an assessment-first pathway known as Verified Renovation™, which results in a Verified Home™ certification once upgrades are complete and performance targets are met.

• Baseline testing of the existing home, including blower door, duct leakage, and system performance
• Room-by-room load analysis and comfort and IAQ assessment
• Design of a Permanent Load Reduction and upgrade plan tied to load reduction and ERI improvement
• Verification of installed upgrades (insulation, air sealing, duct repairs, equipment replacement, ventilation, dehumidification)
• Post-upgrade commissioning and performance benchmarking in measureQuick®
• Updated ERI Rating and final Verified Home™ certification

The ERI Pre-Drywall Inspection is where load calculation assumptions are field-verified against actual construction before walls are closed. This step is mandatory for new homes seeking Verified Home™ certification.

The ERI Pre-Drywall Inspection verifies:

• Insulation type, depth, density, and installation quality in all thermal assemblies
• True R-values based on installation and assembly, not just labeled batts or nominal values
• Window and door U-factor and SHGC using verified manufacturer data
• Ductwork location, insulation level, and relationship to the thermal boundary
• Thermal boundary alignment at walls, rim joists, ceilings, and floors
• Ventilation strategy and key duct routing before concealment

These verified values are fed back into the Manual J load calculation and ERI model so the design matches the real house.

measureQuick® is the required performance engine behind the Verified™ Program. No system or home is considered Verified™ unless it passes measureQuick® performance benchmarks.

Using measureQuick®, we verify:

• Airflow and total external static pressure
• Delivered sensible and latent capacity under real operating conditions
• Refrigerant performance and coil behavior
• Fan watt draw, efficiency, and system operating profiles
• Heat pump capacity at real outdoor and indoor conditions
• Controls staging, setpoints, and logic behavior
• Ventilation, dehumidification, and IAQ-related system performance

Yes. Every Verified™ certification pathway—whether for a system, a home, or a renovation—requires both:

• System performance benchmarked in measureQuick®
• Load calculation elements field-verified against actual building conditions

For new homes, load inputs are field-verified during the ERI Pre-Drywall Inspection. For existing homes, load inputs are verified before and after improvements as part of the Verified Renovation™ process.

Verified Home™ is designed to align with and often exceed major green building and incentive program requirements. Because each Verified Home™ includes a certified ERI Rating, blower door results, duct leakage testing, and documented HVAC performance, it can be used to support qualification for programs such as ENERGY STAR, NGBS, LEED for Homes, and federal incentives like 45L, provided the project meets the specific thresholds required by each program.

Typical timelines are:

• Design review and coordination: approximately 5–10 business days
• ERI Pre-Drywall Inspection: scheduled at framing or pre-drywall stage
• Performance verification and commissioning: typically 1–3 hours on-site per system
• Final ERI Rating and documentation: typically 1–3 days after all field data is received

Actual timelines vary based on project size, complexity, construction schedule, and how quickly required information is provided.

To become a Verified™ HVAC Contractor Partner, you must complete both the online and in-person Permanent Load Reduction, load calculation, and commissioning training, including measureQuick® and TrueFlow® Grid Verified User components.

Required training and capabilities include:

• Permanent Load Reduction and load calculation best practices
• Field-verified load calculation workflows tied to ERI and Manual J
• measureQuick® Verified User training
• TrueFlow® Grid Verified User training for airflow verification

Verified™ HVAC Contractor Partners must also agree to our QA/QC requirements, including:

• No equipment substitutions without written design approval
• Installed Per Design compliance on all Verified™ projects
• Consistent use of measureQuick® for commissioning and documentation
• Photo and data documentation of key field-verified load elements
• Adherence to Verified™ duct, airflow, and ventilation testing protocols

To become a Verified™ Inspector, you must complete the same full training pathway required for Verified™ HVAC Contractor Partners and hold an active, nationally recognized ERI Rater certification.

Required inspector qualifications include:

• Completion of online and in-person Permanent Load Reduction and load calculation training
• Completion of measureQuick® and TrueFlow® Grid Verified User training
• Active ERI Rater certification (such as RESNET HERS Rater, BSI Rater, or an equivalent approved ERI rating body)

Verified™ Inspectors must also agree to and maintain Verified™ QA standards, including adherence to ERI Pre-Drywall protocols, accurate field data collection, consistent use of measureQuick®, and high-quality documentation for every Verified™ project.

The Verified™ Program is designed for:

• Builders who want fewer warranty issues and data-backed performance
• Developers and ownership groups seeking higher-performing portfolios
• HVAC contractors who want to differentiate on quality and performance
• Architects who need mechanical systems that protect design intent
• Raters and inspectors who want a deeper, performance-based verification pathway
• Homeowners who want proof, not promises, that their home will be comfortable and efficient

HVAC 2 Home Performance is headquartered in Cincinnati with a branch presence in Knoxville and serves:

• Cincinnati and surrounding markets for design, testing, commissioning, and TAB
• Knoxville and East Tennessee for design, testing, commissioning, and TAB
• Nationwide clients for HVAC design, training, consulting, and Verified™ program support

Getting started is straightforward. Provide project plans and basic information about your goals, and we will propose a clear scope, timeline, and fee structure. From there, we outline the appropriate Verified™ pathway, design support, training, or commissioning services needed to deliver proven performance for your project.