Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Program

DOE HQ F 413.4
(07/2023)

OMB Control #:1910-5184
Exp. Date: 07/31/2023

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

ARCHITECT / DESIGNER 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

General terms and commitments made between DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program and
Architect/Designer Partners .................................................................................................................. 4

DOE’s Commitments to DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Partners ................................................... 4

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

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

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

Entry into Force and Duration of Agreement ..................................................................................... 6

Instructions for Partnering with U.S. Department of Energy
Organizations interested in partnering with DOE Zero Energy Ready HomeTM as an Architect / Designer
Partner should take the following steps:
1. Review the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements
 and this Partner
Agreement.
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 “Arch/Designer” as organization type.

•

IMPORTANT: You must read and agree to the terms and conditions stated in the 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 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 your downloadable customized brochures.

•

Choose all states in which you conduct business for locator tool searches.

•

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. Your contact information will go live on the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home partner locator.
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. Start designing homes that can be certified to meet the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National
Program Requirements. Within 12 months of registering you must either:
a. submit a complete design which qualifies for DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (floor plans and
elevations) with detailed specifications that a builder or homeowner can use to build the house
(these will be displayed in your partner profile), and energy modeling results using RESNETaccredited software to document that the design meets the Target Home Home Energy Rating
System (HERS ) score; or

b. submit the DOE verification form and detailed checklists indicating that a home you designed
was built and certified by a registered DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Builder Partner.

4. Review the Guidelines for Correctly Using the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Name and Logo
and use the logos, labels and other materials to market and sell your homes. These are available by
logging in to your partner account.

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U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home Terms of the
Agreement
ARCHITECT/DESIGNER 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 design homes to meet the
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements.
The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home offers leading architects and designers 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 symbol of excellence in home performance - makes it easy for consumers to identify zero netenergy ready homes that are so efficient a small renewable energy system can offset most or all annual energy
consumption.

Program Definitions and Eligible Organizations
1.

Eligible organizations: Architect/Designer partners may be any company, person or entity that
designs single-family homes, multifamily buildings, affordable housing, or manufactured homes.

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. DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes are
verified by a registered third-party verifier partner 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 (without renewable energy), depending on the size of
the home and region in which it is built.
b. Zero net-energy ready homes are so 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 Architect/Designer Partners
DOE’s
 Commitments
 to
 DOE
 Zero
 Energy
 Ready
 Home
 Partners

1. DOE will work to increase awareness of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program as the trusted
government-backed symbol for zero net-energy ready homes.
2. DOE will provide partners with timely program updates, information, and resources via the DOE web
site, webinars, newsletters, e-mail, and presentations.
3. DOE will provide partners with recognition for their participation in the program through vehicles such
as the DOE website, special awards, and other media.
4. 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 the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Name and Logo for the DOE Zero
Energy Ready Home are prohibited.
5. DOE will respond swiftly to any requests for information or clarification on program policies.
6. DOE does not provide warranty and cannot be held liable for design and/or construction defects or
deficiencies resulting from the proper or improper application of program guidelines.

Partner
 Commitments

1. Partner shall meet all requirements set forth in the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program
Requirements.
2. Partner shall maintain an active partnership. Partners must design a home that can be certified to meet
the Guidelines for Correctly Using the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Name and Logo within any
ongoing 12-month period. The partner must either submit a complete design (floor plans and
elevations) with detailed specifications that a builder or homeowner can use to build the house (these
will be displayed in your partner profile), and energy modeling results using RESNET-accredited
software to document that the design meets the Target Home HERS Index; or submit the DOE Zero
Energy Ready Home verification form and detailed checklists indicating that a home you designed was
built and certified by a registered DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Builder Partner. Partners not fulfilling
this requirement will be deemed 'inactive' and must promptly cease all use of the DOE Zero Energy
Ready Home name and logo, including removal from marketing and point-of-sale materials. DOE will
reinstate Partner as active upon verification of a labeled home.
3. Partners may affix a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home label on designs and completed homes that are
certified by a registered third-party verifier partner to meet all of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
National Program Requirements. This includes software analysis using RESNET-accredited software
and the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home checklist and report. Third-party verification is required to
maintain the integrity of the DOE name.

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4. Partner shall follow Guidelines for Correctly Using the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Name and Logo
when using DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name, logo and/or any other associated marketing
materials in conjunction with a registered builder or qualified home(s).
5. Partner shall complete DOE Zero Energy Ready Home orientation.
6. Partner is encouraged to participate in annual program updates and live events or webinars hosted by
DOE or registered training partners.

General
 Terms
 and
 Conditions

1. This agreement is voluntary and can be terminated by either party at any time for any reason, with no
penalty.
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
program 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
federal government endorsement of the partner, its homes, or services.
4. Partners understand that the activities undertaken in connection with the DOE Zero Energy Ready
Home 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 related to DOE Zero Energy Ready
Home activities.
5. Partners must adhere to the Guidelines for Correctly Using the 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 Partner 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
Partner Agreement shall not be construed to provide a private right or cause 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 Partnership Agreement may be terminated by reasonable advance written notice of
intent to terminate by either party.

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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
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 acceptance of your online registration. The agreement
must be maintained with activity and must be renewed annually. Activity is defined as building, designing,
selling, certifying, training or otherwise contributing to the construction of homes that meet the goals of the
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home.

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