Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Program

DOE HQ F 413.4
(07/2023)

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

Guidelines for Correctly Using the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
Name and Logo
Launched in 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home™ (formerly DOE
Challenge Home) is a new way to easily identify leading edge builders who construct to DOE’s strict guidelines
for zero net-energy ready homes. DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes are so energy efficient - at least 40%-50%
more energy efficient than a typical new home - that a small renewable energy system can offset most or all of
the annual energy consumption. By building homes with extraordinary levels of energy efficiency, comfort,
safety, health and durability, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home partners are saving Americans energy and
money, creating jobs and protecting the environment.
The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program is a partnership between businesses and organizations and the
Federal government. As part of this partnership, businesses and organizations that register at
buildings.energy.gov/challenge and sign a Partnership Agreement can use the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
name and logo, marks of the U.S. government, to communicate their new home energy efficiency commitment
and resulting accomplishments.
These guidelines outline how to use the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home marks. In addition, these guidelines
provide recommendations for what words to use when writing or talking about the DOE Zero Energy Ready
Home program including how to reference the government as a source of authority. Consistently presenting
the meaning and benefits of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home maintains and builds its values and
immeasurably benefits all.

DOE
 Zero
 Energy
 Ready
 Home
 Marks

The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home marks, each designed for specific purposes, fall under the following
categories:
Use the Certification Mark as a label on homes that
meet or exceed DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
performance guidelines. Uses may include:
On a qualifying home;
In product literature for a qualifying home;
On the Web to identify a qualifying home;
In advertisements where it is used near to or
on a qualifying home;
! On sales room and model home materials.
!
!
!
!

ZERO
ENERGY READY HOME

Use the Partnership Mark to promote an organization’s
commitment to and partnership in the DOE Zero Energy
Ready Home Program. Common uses of the Partnership
Mark to feature the organization’s partnership with DOE
include:
! Business Cards;
! Web sites;
! Annual reports.

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General Guidelines
Organizations using these marks must abide by the following general guidelines:
" The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name and marks may never be used in any manner that would
imply DOE endorsement of a company, its products, or its services. Neither the marks nor the DOE
Zero Energy Ready Home name may be used in any other company name, product name, service
name, domain name or Web site title.
" The marks may not be altered, cut apart, separated, or otherwise distorted in perspective or
appearance.
" The marks may never be used in a manner that would disparage DOE Zero Energy Ready Home,
DOE, or any other government body.
" The marks may never be associated with homes or buildings that do not qualify as DOE Zero Energy
Ready Home.
" Partners and other authorized organizations are responsible for their own use of the DOE Zero Energy
Ready Home marks, as well as use by their representatives, such as ad agencies and implementation
contractors.
DOE Review Policy
DOE must approve any major educational or promotional campaigns that feature the DOE Zero Energy Ready
Home name or mark prior to final production or printing. The submitted materials will be reviewed for
consistency with these guidelines within two (2) business days of receipt of the materials. Materials should be
submitted to your primary program contact.
Mark Violations
DOE will seek to monitor proper use of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name and marks. The following
explains the general course of action for addressing mark violations:
" Anyone who misuses the marks will be contacted in writing or by telephone.
" A reasonable amount of time will be given to correct the error(s) per DOE’s discretion. The time frame
will be dependent upon the medium in which the violation appeared and the severity of the violation.
" Follow-up will be conducted to ensure that the error(s) has been corrected. Failure to make the required
changes may result in termination of a stakeholder’s participation in DOE Zero Energy Ready Home
and/or legal action.

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Incorrect Use of The Certification Mark
Please:
•
•

Do not use the Certification Mark on non-qualifying homes or buildings.
Do not alter the Certification Mark by using the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home symbol without the
messaging block containing the name “DOE Zero Energy Ready Home.”

When reproducing the marks please:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Do not change the colors of the mark.
Do not distort the mark in any way.
Do not alter the lock up of the mark.
Do not place the mark on a busy image.
Do not rotate the mark.
Do not separate any of the mark’s elements.
Do not substitute any part of the mark.
Do not use any other typeface to replace part of
the mark.

9. Do not violate the clear space of the mark.
10. Do not skew the mark.
11. Do not change the size of the mark lock up.
12. Do not replace the approved wording.
13. Do not apply the DOE Zero Energy Ready
Home marks in an unapproved color.
14. Do not let text run into the mark.

Writing
 and
 Talking
 About
 the
 DOE
 Zero
 Energy
 Ready
 Home

To maintain and build the value of DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, DOE recommends terminology to use
when writing and talking about elements of the program.
CORRECT

INCORRECT

DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME

DZERH

Certified as a DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME

DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME compliant
DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME rated
DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME product or
products
DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME equipment

Homes that have earned the DOE ZERO ENERGY READY
HOME certification
Meeting the DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME National
Requirements

Endorsed by DOE

Homes that earn the DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME
meet strict performance guidelines set by the U.S. Department
of Energy

DOE-approved
DOE-endorsed

DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME guidelines
DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME specifications
DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME performance levels

DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME standards

DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME partner

DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME company

Company X, a DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME Partner

Company X, a company endorsed by DOE

A company participating in the DOE ZERO ENERGY READY
HOME program

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Using the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Mark or Name In Domain Names
Organizations, including partners, may not use the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home™ trademark as part of an
Internet domain name, without authorization from DOE.
The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name is a trademark owned by the DOE. Only the DOE is allowed to use,
or authorize the use of, the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home name
is not allowed to be used in any other company name, product name, service name, domain name or Web site
title.
DOE considers unauthorized use of DOE Zero Energy Ready Home as part of a domain name, to be an
infringement of our trademark rights under the Lanham Act 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 - 1129 (1999), including the
Anti-Cybersquatting Protection Act ("ACPA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(1)(A). In addition, DOE considers use of
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home as part of a domain name to be a violation of the Uniform Dispute Resolution
Policy ("UDRP") that is incorporated into each domain name’s registration agreement.

Questions
 about
 Using
 The
 Marks

If you have questions regarding the use of the marks, please contact your primary program representative.

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