Programs for Improving Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings

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U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home™

INNOVATION PARTNER AGREEMENT

Contents
Instructions for Partnering with U.S. Department of Energy..................................................................2

U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home Terms of the Agreement ................................3

INNOVATION PARTNER......................................................................................................................3

Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 3

Program Definitions and Eligible Organizations ................................................................................ 3

General terms and commitments made between DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program and
Innovation Partners ............................................................................................................................... 4

DOE’s Commitments to DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Innovation Partner....................................4

Innovation Partner Commitments ...................................................................................................... 4

General Terms and Conditions..........................................................................................................5

Dispute Resolution ............................................................................................................................ 5

Entry into Force and Duration of Agreement ..................................................................................... 5

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home

www.buildings.energy.gov/zero

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Instructions for Partnering with U.S. Department of Energy
Organizations interested in partnering with DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ as an Innovation Partner should
take the following steps:
1. Review this Partner Agreement, the Guidelines for Correctly Using the DOE Zero Energy Ready
Home Name and Logo and Innovation Guidelines documents.
2. Register by entering your contact information online. There must be an authorized signature to accept
the terms of the agreement. Additional contacts may be added.


Select “Innovation Partner” as organization type. Then select Innovation type from the following:
manufacturer, utility, state/local government, or other.



IMPORTANT: You must read and agree to the terms and conditions stated in the Innovation Partner
Agreement. Click on the toggle next to “I have read and agree to the terms and conditions stated in
the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Innovation Partner Agreement.” This serves as your electronic
signature. You may access the Partner Agreement online at any time by logging into your account.



Upload your logo for display in the locator tool and to include in customized brochures.



Click register. You will receive an email with a login password asking you to confirm your
participation.



Your registration will be reviewed by DOE Zero Energy Ready Home staff. If your registration is
approved you will be entered into the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ database and are
considered a partner. You may use your password to login anytime to change contact information or
remove yourself from the program. Should you choose to discontinue the partnership, please allow
reasonable notice and a written rationale for discontinued participation.

3. Your account manager will set-up a start-up meeting to welcome you to the program.

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U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home
Terms of the Agreement
INNOVATION PARTNER
Introduction 
Through this agreement, the registered organization (“Partner") joins in partnership with the Department of
Energy (DOE). Partner recognizes that by accepting this agreement it is expected to support DOE in its efforts
to educate consumers on the benefits of zero energy ready homes.
The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ offers leading builders a timely solution for differentiating their product
from existing homes as well as minimum code new homes. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ label – the
home of the future today - makes it easy for consumers to identify high-performance homes that are so
efficient a renewable energy system can offset most or all annual energy consumption.

Program Definitions and Eligible Organizations 
1. Eligible organizations: Innovation partners are entities--other than builders, verifiers or architects and
designers -- that support efforts to build, create and/or sell zero energy ready homes. Specific
relevant organizations include, but are not limited to building product manufacturers, retailers,
utilities, energy efficiency programs, non-profit energy organizations, and state/local government. If
a manufacturer or retailer wants to join as a partner, they must manufacture/sell products that can
be used in a zero energy ready home to help comply with program specifications. Each Partner
application will be reviewed to verify this eligibility before being approved by DOE.
2. Definitions:
a. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is a home that meets all of the criteria found in the DOE Zero
Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements (energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energyready-home). DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes are verified by a qualified third-party and are at
least 40%-50% more energy efficient than a typical new home. This generally corresponds to a
Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score in the low to mid-50s, depending on the size
of the home and region in which it is built.
b. Zero energy ready homes are high-performance homes so energy efficient a small renewable
energy system can offset most or all annual energy consumption.
c. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home logo distinguishes certified homes as being among the top
performing homes in the nation.
d. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certificate is automatically generated from compliance
software. It includes energy savings information as well as a HERS Index Score.
e. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home verification form provides information needed to calculate
program savings. It can be generated from compliance software.

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General terms and commitments made between DOE Zero Energy
Ready Home Program and Innovation Partners
DOE’s Commitments to DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Innovation Partner 
1. DOE will provide partner recognition with a Zero Energy Ready Home marketing materials including
those created to accompany a national campaign (“national campaign”) that can be customized with the
partner’s logo and identifies them as a partner with DOE bringing innovation to American Homes. This
national campaign also includes a simple message for consumers to see the home of the future today
by taking the ‘Tour of Zero’ including a link to the ‘Tour of Zero’ on the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
web site.
2. DOE will seek opportunities to provide partner with additional recognition for their participation in the
national campaign through vehicles such as the DOE website and other media.
3. DOE will work to increase awareness of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program as the trusted
government-backed symbol for zero energy ready homes.
4. DOE will provide partner with timely program updates, information, and resources via the DOE web
site, webinars, newsletters, e-mail, and presentations.
5. DOE will provide participants with access to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home partner logos. The US
Department of Energy retains rights to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name, logo and label. Use
and reproduction of the logo and graphic without specific authorization and full compliance with
Guidelines for Correctly Using DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Name and Logo for the DOE Zero
Energy Ready Home are prohibited.
6. DOE will respond swiftly to any requests for information or clarification on program policies.
7. DOE does not provide warranty and cannot be held liable for construction defects or deficiencies
resulting from the proper or improper application of program guidelines.

Innovation Partner Commitments 
1. Partner shall include the ZERH national campaign message on at least three major consumer-facing
communications each year. These can include company/organization web site, advertising, brochures,
blogs and signage. If messaging is used on a website, it must be on the first one or 2 pages. Note that
the ZERH national campaign message is not to be used on product packaging.
2. Partner shall provide a link from their website to DOE’s ZERH website.
3. Partner shall commit to educating their own employees/staff about ZERH program.
4. Partner shall maintain an active partnership within any ongoing 12-month period by meeting the agreed
upon commitment to promote the national campaign message and reporting to DOE on a quarterly
basis specific communication used to meet this commitment. Partners not fulfilling this requirement will

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be deemed 'inactive' and must promptly cease all association with the national campaign.
5. Partner shall follow Guidelines for using DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Name and Logo when using
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name, logo and/or any other associated marketing materials.

General Terms and Conditions 
1. This agreement is voluntary and may be amended by written agreement between the Parties. This
Agreement may be terminated by either party upon reasonable written notice to the other Party.
2. Partners will assume good faith as a general principle for resolving conflicts that may arise in relation to
their program partnership and will seek to resolve all matters to preserve maximum public confidence in
DOE and the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program.
3. Partners shall not construe, claim, or imply that participation in the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
national campaign constitutes federal government approval, acceptance, or endorsement of anything
other than partners’ participation in the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program. Partnership does not
constitute DOE endorsement of the partner, its products, or services.
4. Partners understand that the activities undertaken in connection with the DOE Zero Energy Ready
Home national campaign are voluntary and not intended to provide services to the federal government.
As such, partners may not submit claims for compensation to any federal agency in regards to activities
related to this Agreement.
5. Partners must adhere to the Guidelines for using DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Name and Logo and
ensure that authorized representatives, such as advertising agencies, distributors, and subcontractors,
also comply.
6. Qualification of a home to earn the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home label shall not be used by partners
to guarantee that it is structurally sound or safe, constructed in accordance with applicable laws,
regulations or codes, free of mold or mildew, free of volatile organic compounds or allergens, or free of
soil gases including radon.
7. This Agreement is strictly for internal purposes for each of the parties. It is not legally enforceable and
shall not be construed to create any legal obligation on the part of either party. This Agreement shall
not be construed to provide a private right of action for or by any person or entity.

Dispute Resolution  
Partner and DOE will assume good faith as a general principle for resolving conflicts under the DOE Zero
Energy Ready Home program. Both parties will endeavor to resolve all matters informally, so as to preserve
maximum public confidence in the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home. Parties agree to seek to mutually resolve
any matter in dispute. The Partner Agreement may be terminated by reasonable advance written notice of
intent to terminate by either party.

Entry into Force and Duration of Agreement 
Both parties concur that this agreement and the terms outlined in the supporting documents will be effective
when signed electronically by both parties. By completing registration you are electronically signing this

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agreement, and, as an official representative of your organization, you agree to these terms. By electronically
approving your registration, DOE agrees to the terms of this partnership.
The duration of this agreement is one year from DOE’s approval of your registration. The agreement must be
maintained with activity and must be renewed annually. Activity is defined as promoting DOE Zero Energy
Ready Home national campaign.

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