* WaterSense Labeled Homes Program Home Certification Organization: Green Builder® Coalition The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense® program works with Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) to certify and issue the WaterSense label to homes that meet EPA's criteria for both water efficiency and performance. What's in a WaterSense Labeled Home? All WaterSense labeled homes are independently certified to meet EPA's Mandatory Checklist and be at least 30 percent more water-efficient than a typical new home. MANDATORY CHECKLIST TO ENSURE QUALITY PERFORMANCE LEAKS Q Pressure-loss test on all water supplies detects no leaks o Free of visible leaks from all fixtures and appliances at point of use or point of connection to water distribution system O Toilets o Bathroom faucets O Showerheads o Bathroom tub faucets, i.e., tub spouts o Kitchen and other sink faucets o Other fixtures or appliances (e.g., water heaters, clothes washers, dishwashers) WATERSENSE LABELED PLUMBING FIXTURES O Toilets O Bathroom sink faucets O Showerheads EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENT VERIFIED EFFICIENCY O At least 30 percent more water-efficient than a typical new home (based on national standards and common design and landscape practices). What is a Home Certification Organization's Role in Labeling Homes for WaterSense? Wthin the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program, HCOs are responsible for quality assurance, verifier training and oversight, home verification protocols, and reporting. HCOs also maintain their own certification method (reviewed and approved by EPA) to evaluate a home's water efficiency and determine whether it meets EPA's efficiency requirement. This WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM) can include features such as water-efficient fixtures, appliances, and systems (e.g., irrigation and hot water delivery) that builders can include in homes to meet the efficiency requirement. Keep reading to learn more. © How Builders Can Get Involved: Are you a builder ready to get started? Partner with WaterSense and visit www.epa.gov/watersense/ watersense-labeled-homes to learn more. ------- HCO Profile: Green Builder® Coalition The Green Builder Coalition is a non-profit membership organization for green building professionals that provides its members with information and advocacy resources. The Green Builder Coalition also owns the Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS)® Program. Method for Labeling Homes: Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS)® With WaterSense Baselines WERS is a performance-based water efficiency program for both new and existing residential properties that preserves design freedom and product choice flexibility. Third-party analysis and data collection is utilized to generate a score and predict water usage. An eligible property must meet the WaterSense prescriptive reguirements and achieve a WERS of 66 or less using WaterSense baselines. Scope WERS is available in the United States and Canada but can be utilized anywhere in the world. WERS for WaterSense is currently only applicable to single-family properties in the United States. Builders cannot use the capture and reuse function of WERS to earn the WaterSense label. While it does not contribute towards WaterSense certification at this time, WERS can accommodate any form of capture and reuse, including rainwater, graywater, blackwater, and stormwater. Alignment With Other Certification Programs WERS is an alternative compliance path in the following green building programs: • Built Green Canada • Austin Energy's Green Building Program • Built Green Washington WERS is also the basis for the Water Rating Index (WRI) found within the National Green Building Standard. GreenBullder COALITION Information for Verifiers Training is available for those who wish to become WERS Verifiers.The verifier course includes both classroom and field training, along with a written and field exam. Online and in-person training is offered.To register for the online course, please visit https://certifiedratinasproaram.thinkific.com/ bundles/wers-for-watersense-curriculum For in-person training options, please contact Laureen at lb@areenbuildercoalition.ora. Minimum class size is 5 and maximum class size is 12. For more information about Green Builder Coalition, visit: www.greenbuildercoalition.org. &EPA EPA-832-F-22-XXXX SEPTEMBER 2022 ------- |