Short answer: A HERS report is the record of field verification and diagnostic testing performed by a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rater at the job site. In California, the rater checks the energy features your Title 24 report flagged for verification, such as duct leakage or refrigerant charge, and registers the results on a CF3R Certificate of Verification. It happens during and after construction, not at the permit stage.
A Title 24 compliance report and a HERS rater are related but separate requirements. Knowing how they differ helps you plan your project, schedule and budget correctly.
What a HERS Rater Tests
A HERS rater is a certified Home Energy Rating System rater who visits the job site during and after construction to confirm that what was built matches what was modeled in the compliance report. Where the report requires it, the rater performs diagnostic tests and visual inspections such as:
- Duct leakage testing: pressurizing the duct system to measure how much air escapes
- Refrigerant charge verification: confirming air conditioners and heat pumps are charged correctly
- Airflow and fan efficacy: measuring air handler airflow and fan energy use
- Quality insulation installation (QII): inspecting insulation before walls are closed
- Ventilation: checking that whole-house mechanical ventilation delivers the required airflow
Not every project needs every test. The rater tests only the items your compliance documents call for.
When Is HERS Verification Required?
Not always. Certain residential projects need HERS field verification, depending on the compliance measures selected and the scope of work. New homes and ADUs often have several verified measures. Alterations such as HVAC changeouts commonly trigger duct and refrigerant testing. Projects that rely on high-efficiency HVAC systems or specific insulation pathways to comply may also trigger verification.
You do not have to guess. The CF1R (Certificate of Compliance) lists every measure that requires HERS verification, so your contractor and rater know what will be tested before construction starts.
CF3R Forms and the CHEERS Registry
California's residential compliance process uses three form families:
- CF1R: Certificate of Compliance, prepared from the plans for the permit
- CF2R: Certificate of Installation, completed by the installing contractor during construction
- CF3R: Certificate of Verification, completed by the HERS rater after field testing
Where registration is required, these documents are registered with a HERS data registry such as CHEERS. The building department checks the registered CF2R and CF3R forms at final inspection. Form names can change between code cycles.
A note on names: HERS and ECC
Under the 2025 Title 24 Standards, which apply to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, the California Energy Commission refers to this field verification as ECC (Energy Code Compliance) verification. Many contractors and building departments still say "HERS," and the process works the same way: a qualified rater verifies and tests the measures your compliance documents flag.
Is There a Title 24 Inspection?
Not as a separate inspection by the report preparer. A Title 24 report is plan-based: it is prepared from your drawings before the permit and shows on paper that the design meets the Title 24 requirements. The field checks are done by other people:
- The building inspector checks that construction matches the approved plans and energy documents during the normal permit inspections.
- A HERS/ECC rater, where required, tests and verifies the specific measures listed on the CF1R.
When people search for a "Title 24 inspector," they usually mean one of these two roles. See the Title 24 code for how Part 6 fits into the wider building code.
Do I Need a HERS Rater in Addition to a Title 24 Report?
Often, yes. You need the Title 24 report first, for permit submittal. If your CF1R lists measures that require verification, you also need a HERS rater later, before final inspection. The two are separate services, and you arrange each one separately.
Title24Comply prepares the Title 24 report. We do not perform HERS field testing, so you will need to hire a HERS rater separately when your project calls for one. Our report shows the rater exactly which measures to verify, and it is registered with CHEERS where the project requires registration. For a side-by-side breakdown of timing, cost and who does what, see Title 24 vs HERS report.
How a HERS Report Relates to Your Title 24 Report
The two documents are linked. The Title 24 report sets the targets: for example, it may assume sealed ducts or a verified refrigerant charge to reach compliance. The HERS report confirms those targets were met in the field. If a test fails, the contractor corrects the issue and the rater re-tests. If the installed equipment or design changes, the Title 24 report may need updating. See what happens when plans change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HERS report?
It is the record of field verification and diagnostic testing a HERS rater performs on site, documented on CF3R forms and registered in a HERS data registry.
Is there a Title 24 inspection?
The Title 24 report itself is not an inspection. The building inspector checks the work against the approved plans, and a HERS/ECC rater tests any measures the report flags.
Does Title24Comply do HERS testing?
No. Title24Comply prepares the Title 24 energy compliance report. HERS field verification is arranged separately with a HERS rater.
When does the HERS rater come out?
During and after construction, before final inspection. Some items, like insulation installation, must be inspected before the walls are closed, so plan the rater's visits early.
How do I know if my project needs HERS verification?
Check the CF1R in your Title 24 report. It lists every measure that requires field verification. If you have not ordered a report yet, see when Title 24 is required or view pricing.