How to Build, Verify and Report Indoor AirPlus Labeled Homes

Under the framework of Indoor AirPlus Version 1, the EPA partners with homebuilders and verifiers to encourage the adoption of IAQ protections through third-party inspected home certification, aligned with most ENERGY STAR Residential program processes.

Indoor AirPlus Version 2 will include a new Certification System, similar to other EPA home labeling programs, which introduces a parallel structure for Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) to be approved to implement Indoor AirPlus certification, including formal roles in verification oversight and quality assurance. For more details, please see the Indoor AirPlus Version 2 Development page.

Note: Until the Version 2 Certification System is finalized and Indoor AirPlus HCO applications are released, ENERGY STAR Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) or Multifamily Review Organizations (MROs) may participate in the certification and reporting process for either or both Indoor AirPlus Version 1 or Version 2 to support their verifier network.

As an active partner with the EPA, you can help raise awareness and educate the public about the value of Indoor AirPlus labeled homes. Program partners and HCOs/MROs recognized by the EPA can use the Indoor AirPlus logos and marketing resources, per the Indoor AirPlus Promotional Guidelines.

• Indoor AirPlus Promotional Guidelines

See the steps below for participating in the Indoor AirPlus program: 

1. Join Indoor AirPlus

   Both the homebuilder and verification organization (i.e. rating company) must sign an Indoor AirPlus Partnership Agreement.

   • For current ENERGY STAR partners:
     Visit your My ENERGY STAR Account.
   • For new ENERGY STAR and Indoor AirPlus partners:
     Visit the Join ENERGY STAR as a Residential New Construction Partner page.     

   There is no cost to join as an Indoor AirPlus partner. Partnership is free and completing the Partnership Agreement should only take a few minutes. 

   If you have questions about joining Indoor AirPlus without ENERGY STAR partnership, contact an Indoor AirPlus account manager (Indoor_AirPlus@epa.gov).

   Under Indoor airPLUS Version 1, the EPA does not have a formal application for recognition for Indoor AirPlus HCOs/MROs. However, ENERGY STAR HCOs/MROs may participate in the certification and reporting process for Indoor airPLUS Version 1 or Version 2 homes alongside their ENERGY STAR homes/apartments.

2. Complete Training

   The EPA is developing training that will be required for all builder and verifier partners to build and certify Indoor AirPlus V2 homes and apartments following the sunset of IAP V1, which is anticipated to occur on January 1, 2026. Completion of the forthcoming IAP V2 Training is anticipated to be required by January 1, 2026. However, IAP partners may build and label Indoor AirPlus V2 homes prior to the EPA’s release and implementation of the IAP V2 Training. 

   Both the builder and verifier/rater must complete all applicable ENERGY STAR trainings to certify homes under Indoor AirPlus Version 1 or Indoor AirPlus Gold (Version 2).

3. Design and Build

   Homes/apartments that are eligible under the ENERGY STAR Single Family or Multifamily New Construction programs can also earn any Indoor AirPlus label. The home must be designed and built to the applicable ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction requirements and the applicable Indoor AirPlus requirements.

   • Indoor AirPlus V1: The home/apartment is designed and built to the applicable ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program requirements and the Indoor airPLUS V1 Construction Specifications. 
   • Indoor AirPlus V2 Certified: The home/apartment is designed and built to the applicable Indoor AirPlus V2 Verification Requirements. 
   • Indoor AirPlus V2 Gold: The home/apartment is designed and built to the applicable ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program requirements and the applicable Indoor AirPlus Gold Verification Requirements.   

   Verifiers/raters and builders should coordinate in the design and planning phase to review the overall home design, moisture management requirements, mechanical system specifications, and low-emission materials specified by the designer/builder to ensure that all Indoor AirPlus program requirements will be met. 

   See the Indoor AirPlus Program Documents page for more information on technical requirements and recent Policy Record updates.

4. Verify

   Before the home officially earns the Indoor AirPlus label, it is inspected by an independent third-party verifier/rater using the applicable version of the Indoor AirPlus Verification Checklist to ensure compliance with the EPA’s specifications.

   As builders construct homes meeting Indoor AirPlus requirements, they also schedule on-site visits with the verifier/rater, who will typically perform verification in the same inspections required for ENERGY STAR or other certification programs, if applicable. 

   Responsibilities of verifiers/raters include:

   • File completed Indoor AirPlus checklists with the verification records for each labeled home, following the requirements of the HCO/MRO or their designee. 
   • Keep Indoor AirPlus checklists with the completed ENERGY STAR verification documentation, where applicable. For more information, see the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program Requirements page.
   • When the checklist is completed and signed, provide the home/unit with the applicable Indoor AirPlus certificate, and affix the Indoor AirPlus label to a permanent location on the home (e.g. on the utility panel). HCOs/MROs (or their designees) may obtain Indoor AirPlus label stock from the EPA during the Indoor AirPlus reporting process (see Step 6 below) or by request to Indoor_AirPlus@epa.gov. Labels and certificates may be printed by HCOs/MROs or their designees.

5. Support Quality Assurance

   Indoor AirPlus Version 2 will include a formal application for recognition for HCOs as part of the quality assurance system. (Indoor AirPlus V2 does not have a separate set of specifications for multifamily buildings or a separate MRO structure). The EPA anticipates the release of the Indoor AirPlus Version 2 Certification System, including quality assurance requirements and the HCO application for recognition, in late 2024, with full implementation of Version 2, including quality assurance requirements with HCO oversight, to be effective by January 1, 2026.

   While Indoor AirPlus Version 1 is available, a recognized ENERGY STAR HCO/MRO may voluntarily design and implement a quality assurance program for Indoor airPLUS V1 homes.

6. Report

   It is the responsibility of both the builder and the verifier/rater associated with the home to ensure they have met all eligibility criteria to have Indoor AirPlus labeled homes reported on their behalf. This includes having signed Indoor AirPlus Partnership Agreements in place and having met all mandatory ENERGY STAR partnership requirements, where applicable.

   • Indoor AirPlus V1 and Indoor AirPlus V2 Gold homes: The ENERGY STAR HCO/MRO or their designee overseeing the verifier/rater reports completed Indoor AirPlus projects to EPA on a quarterly basis, in conjunction with ENERGY STAR reporting. During each reporting period (January, April, July and October), ENERGY STAR HCOs or their designees report ENERGY STAR and Indoor AirPlus homes through the ENERGY STAR Homes Online Submission Tool (HOST), while MROs report directly to EPA.
   • Indoor AirPlus V2 Certified homes: The EPA will soon release a new reporting tool for Indoor AirPlus Certified homes that do not also earn the ENERGY STAR certification. Until the new tool is released, please contact an Indoor AirPlus account manager (Indoor_AirPlus@epa.gov) with questions about reporting “stand-alone” Indoor AirPlus Certified homes under Version 2.

If you have questions about any steps described in the process above, contact an Indoor AirPlus account manager (Indoor_AirPlus@epa.gov).