Exit Inspection-HPH Ventilation

The Whole-House ventilation system complies with all relevant codes and standards

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The Whole-House ventilation system provides adequate indoor air quality

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

An exhaust fan is installed in the kitchen to exhaust steam and cooking odors to the outdoors.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The kitchen exhaust fan vents outdoors, not into an attic, crawlspace, or space between floors.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Kitchen is exhausted through a smooth metal duct with the diameter specified by the fan manufacturer.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Kitchen exhaust duct is installed using the most direct route to the outside with minimal bends.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

All seams and ceiling/wall/roof penetrations are sealed with mastic or spray foam.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Exterior surface penetrations are flashed as needed.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The kitchen exhaust fan meets Rater-measured airflow codes and standards for local exhaust.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The kitchen exhaust meets whole-house ventilation requirements if the kitchen fan is a component of the whole-house mechanical ventilation system.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Kitchen Exhaust Resource Guide

An exhaust fan is installed in the bathroom to exhaust steam to the outdoors.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The bathroom exhaust fan vents outdoors, not into an attic, crawlspace, or space between floors.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The diameter of the exhaust duct complies with the duct diameter specified by the fan manufacturer.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The bathroom duct is installed along the most direct route to the outside with minimal bends.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

All seams and ceiling/wall/roof penetrations are sealed with mastic or spray foam.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Exterior surface penetrations are flashed as needed.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The bathroom exhaust fan meets Rater-measured airflow codes and standards for local exhaust.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The bathroom exhaust meets whole-house ventilation requirements if the bath fan is a component of the whole-house mechanical ventilation.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Bath Exhaust Resource Guide

Bathroom Fan Ratings

If the bathroom exhaust fans are used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system, the bathroom exhaust fans are ENERGY STAR® qualified products (Version 3.0, Revision 08).

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

ENERGY STAR® exempts fans that have a rated flow of ≥ 500 CFM.

Bath Fan Rating Resource Guide

Ventilation Override Controls

Continuously Operating Ventilation and Exhaust Fans

Readily accessible override controls are installed for ventilation fans and exhaust fans that are set for continuous operation.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The ventilation controls are located:

The override control switch is identified with a label.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The override control switch provides instructions for its use.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Continuous Operation Vent Controls

Continuous Operation Vent Controls Resource Guide

Obvious Ventilation Controls

The ventilation controls are clearly identified.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

If the exhaust fan is part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system, it is identified by:

A switch that is differentiated or labeled by the manufacturer. A permanent label indicating the function of the control. NA See Note

Ventilation Controls Resource Guide

Outdoor Air Intake Damper Controlled

If an outdoor air inlet is ducted to the return side of the HVAC system's central air handler

A motorized damper that can close the air intake is installed. Controls to provide intermittent fresh air based on a timer are installed. A timer is set to meet desired or code-mandated ventilation requirements. NA See Note

No outdoor air intakes are connected to return side of the HVAC system, unless controls are installed to operate intermittently & automatically based on a timer and to restrict intake when not in use (e.g., motorized damper)

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The outdoor air intake system fan is:

Outdoor Air Damper Resource Guide

Ventilation Air Inlet Locations

The ventilation air inlet pulls ventilation air directly from outdoors and not from attic, crawlspace, garage, or adjacent dwelling unit.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The ventilation air inlets are installed at least 10 feet away from all contamination source terminations.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The ventilation air inlets are installed in the wall at least 3 feet away from dryer exhausts and contamination sources that exit through the roof.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The ventilation air inlets are installed at least 2 feet above grade or above the roof deck in Climate Zones 1—3.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The ventilation air inlets are installed at least 4 feet above grade or above the roof deck in Climate Zones 4—8.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Note: it is easier to install an air inlet at the gable end of the house than to try to lift it off the roof 2 to 4 feet.

The ventilation air inlet duct is installed in a location with the shortest, most direct path possible to the air handler unit, HRV, or ERV.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The duct for the ventilation air inlet is stretched tight.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The duct for the ventilation air inlet is adequately supported to minimize sagging and kinks.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The ventilation air inlet duct is air sealed around the intake duct termination.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The ventilation air inlet duct is sealed to the HRV/ERV or return side of the air handler with mechanical fasteners and metal tape or mastic.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

A louvered damper is installed on all clothes dryer vents to prevent rodents, insects and debris from entering the inlet.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

A ≤ 0.5-in.-mesh screen is installed on all other air inlets to keep out rodents, insects, and debris.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Vent Air Inlets Resource Guide

Corrosion-Proof Rodent/Bird Vent Screens

Screening is installed to keep birds, rodents, and other pests out of vent openings in homes.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Corrosion-proof wire mesh screening with ¼ or smaller holes is installed over all inlet and exhaust vent openings unless the vent provides air to an air handler.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

All screening is securely mechanically fastened in place to prevent removal by pests.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Screening Vents Resource Guide

Local Mechanical Exhaust

The kitchen exhaust system exhausts directly outdoors.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The kitchen exhaust system has a continuous rate ≥ 5 ACH based on kitchen volume, with recommended ≤ 1 sone.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The kitchen exhaust system has an intermittent rate ≥ 100 CFM.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

If not integrated with the range, the kitchen exhaust system also ≥ 5 ACH based on kitchen volume, with recommended ≤ 3 sones.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Continuous Exhaust Resource Guide

Intermittent Exhaust Resource Guide

The bathroom exhaust system exhausts directly outdoors.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The bathroom exhaust system has a continuous rate ≥ 20 CFM, with recommended ≤ 1 sone.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The bathroom exhaust system has an intermittent rate ≥ 50 CFM, with recommended ≤ 3 sones.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

A filter with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of at least 6 or higher is installed in each ducted heating and cooling system to filter air passing through the return air duct and any outdoor air that is mechanically supplied to the air handler.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home™ program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Indoor airPLUS® program require that filters be at least MERV 8.

The HVAC system is designed to adequately account for the pressure drop associated with higher MERV filters.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The filter is installed in a location where it can be easily accessed by the home owner for cleaning or replacement when dirty.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

High MERV Filter Resource Guide

Proper Installation of Furnace and Air-Handler Filters

Air filters are installed on any ducted heating and cooling systems to filter air passing through the return air duct and outdoor air that is mechanically supplied to the air handler.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

The filter is located where it can be easily accessed by the homeowner for replacement or cleaning.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

If the filter is installed in a filter media box attached to the air handler, the access panel for the filter is fitted with a flexible, air-tight gasket to prevent air leakage.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

All return air and mechanically supplied outdoor air passes through the filter prior to conditioning.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

►Filter Installation

Filter Installation Resource Guide

Combustion Appliances

Direct Vent Equipment

When initially specifying and installing the combustion heating equipment, the highest efficiency equipment the project budget and specifications will allow was chosen.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Furnaces, boilers, and water heaters located within the home’s pressure boundary are mechanically drafted or direct-vented.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

NOTE: Direct vented models are equipped with a pipe to bring combustion air directly from outside to the combustion chamber and have a second sealed vent pipe to carry exhaust gases directly to the outside from the appliance.

No naturally drafted combustion appliances are installed within the conditioned space of the home.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

All fireplaces and wood stoves located in conditioned spaces of the building are vented to the outdoors and supplied with adequate combustion and ventilation air according to the manufacturers’ installation instructions.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Direct Vent Water Heater

Direct Vent Equipment Resource Guide

Fireplaces/Stoves With Proper Ventilation

All fireplaces located within the home’s pressure boundary are mechanically drafted or direct-vented

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Ventilation air is provided directly to the fireplace.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

A combustion safety test has been conducted to ensure the fireplace will not be backdrafted by other exhaust fans in the home.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

All applicable code requirements have been met for the installed fireplace, woodstove, pellet stove, or masonry heater.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Fireplace Combustion Air

►Fireplace Selection

►Fireplace Operation

Fireplace Ventilation Resource Guide

Unvented Combustion Appliances

There are no unvented combustion appliances within the conditioned space of the home.

Yes/Pass/True No/Fail/False NA See Note

Unvented combustion appliances include unvented fireplaces, also known as ventless or ductless fireplaces. These gas, propane, or ethanol-burning fireplaces have no vent so they draw combustion air from the room they are in and release toxic combustion byproducts and moisture vapor back into the space in which they are located. Their use is banned in many states and municipalities.

ENERGY STAR® Checklist

WHOLE HOUSE VENTILATION

Kitchen Exhaust

►Exhaust Fans 1

►Exhaust Fans 2

Kitchen Exhaust Resource Guide

Bath Exhaust

►Bath Exhaust

Bath Exhaust Resource Guide

Bath Fan Rating

Bath Fan Rating Resource Guide

Continuous Operation Vent Controls

Continuous Operation Vent Controls Resource Guide

Ventilation Controls

Ventilation Controls Resource Guide

Outdoor Air Damper

Outdoor Air Damper Resource Guide

Vent Air Inlets

Vent Air Inlets Resource Guide

Screening Vents Resource Guide

Continuous Exhaust Resource Guide

Intermittent Exhaust Resource Guide

High-MERV Filter

High MERV Filter Resource Guide

Filter Installation

►Filter Installation

Filter Installation Resource Guide

Direct Vent Water Heater

Direct Vent Equipment Resource Guide

Fireplace Combustion Air

►Fireplace Selection

►Fireplace Operation

Fireplace Ventilation Resource Guide

Unvented Combustion Appliances Resource Guide