Certifying Homes
WaterSense labeled homes—like WaterSense labeled products—must be third-party certified to meet EPA's efficiency and performance criteria, which provides peace of mind to homebuyers and residents. For a home to earn the WaterSense label, it must be verified by a trained WaterSense home verifier and certified by an EPA approved home certification organization (HCO). Learn more about verifying and certifying homes and review WaterSense labeled homes program documents.
Verifying Homes to Earn the WaterSense Label
WaterSense home verifiers (or raters) are responsible for the onsite process and operate under the oversight of an approved home certification organization (HCO) to verify that homes meet the Technical Requirements of the WaterSense labeled homes program. WaterSense certification typically requires a one-time site visit after the home is completed.
How to Verify WaterSense Labeled Homes
Under the WaterSense Specification for Homes, a trained WaterSense home verifier will verify that a home meets the required efficiency threshold and that it includes all the features of the Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes. The Mandatory Checklist requires that all toilets, bathroom sink faucets, and showerheads be WaterSense labeled, and that the home be free of water leaks. The exact information and test procedures required to verify the efficiency threshold can vary depending on which HCO is certifying the home, as well as the features of the individual home. It is important to ensure the onsite verification and documentation is being done in accordance with the HCO requirements.
These tools can help verifiers ensure homes meet the requirements of the specification:
- EPA’s Technical Reference Manual for WaterSense Labeled Homes includes many tips on home verification for indoor and outdoor products and systems. The Free of Leaks Tech Sheet, in particular, helps verifiers evaluate whether the home is free of leaks.
- The WaterSense Product Search tool can help verifiers confirm that toilets, bathroom sink faucets, and showerheads are WaterSense labeled.
Become a Home Verifier
Verifiers are trained, evaluated, approved, and overseen by the HCOs. To become a WaterSense home verifier, contact an HCO find out how to complete the required training.
Find a Home Verifier
To find a WaterSense home verifier near you, use the Directory of Home Verifiers linked below, which is maintained by EPA and its approved HCOs.
HCOs and Certification Oversight
The WaterSense Specification for Homes and WaterSense Home Certification System provide the requirements for the certification and labeling of homes. WaterSense works with Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) to approve their certification method, oversee verification, provide quality assurance, and issue the label for homes.
Approved HCOs
| Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) | Associated WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM) | Scope | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEERS | CHEERS WaterSense (must achieve a score of 70 or lower) | California; new single-family homes | Rob Starr (rstarr@cheers.org) |
| Green Builder® Coalition | Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS)® with WaterSense Baselines (must achieve a score of 66 or lower) | Nationwide; new and existing single-family homes | Mike Collignon (mcollignon@greenbuildercoalition.org) |
| Home Innovation Research Labs | 1. National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Green with WaterSense Prescriptive or Performance Path 2. Certified Water Rating Index (WRI) | Nationwide; new and existing single- and multifamily homes (additional restrictions depending on path) | Cindy Wasser (cwasser@homeinnovation.com) |
| RESNET | HERSH2O (must achieve a score of 70 or lower) | Nationwide; new and existing single-family homes | Ryan Meres (ryan@resnet.us) |
Learn more about the WaterSense approved HCOs and their WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM).
- CHEERS: CHEERS WaterSense (pdf) (241.93 KB)
- Green Builder® Coalition (pdf) (351.17 KB)
- Home Innovation Research Labs: National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Green With WaterSense Prescriptive or Performance Path (pdf) (241.19 KB)
- Home Innovation Research Labs: Certified Water Rating Index (WRI) (pdf) (239.42 KB)
- RESNET – HERSH2O (pdf) (222.93 KB)
Become an HCO
Organizations interested in certifying homes in accordance with the WaterSense Home Certification System must apply for EPA approval and sign a licensing agreement. Prospective HCOs should review all of the WaterSense labeled homes program documents to understand the requirements associated with the role.
- Apply to become an HCO (DOC) if you are interested in certifying homes for the WaterSense program in accordance with the WaterSense Home Certification System.
Specification and Program Documents
- WaterSense Homes Certification System, Version 2.0 (PDF) (23 pp, 321 K, About PDF)
- WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification Methods (PDF) (39 pp, 495 K, About PDF)
- WaterSense Specification for Homes, Version 2.0 (PDF) (4 pp, 156 K, About PDF)
- WaterSense Specification for Homes, Version 2.0 Supporting Statement (PDF) (17 pp, 211 K, About PDF)
- WaterSense Program Guidelines (PDF) (33 pp, 492 K, About PDF)
To find out more about the development of the WaterSense labeled homes certification system and specification, including previous versions, draft documents, fact sheets, public comments on the draft requirements, and EPA's response to the public comments, please visit the Homes Certification Background page and the Homes Specification Background page.