Recently, we shared why photo documentation matters — not as one more box to check, but as the primary supporting evidence behind the data inputs in every HERS® Rating. That article made the case for treating photos as evidence. Now, we are putting that idea into your hands! The new HERS® Photo Documentation Field Checklist gives HERS Raters and Rating Field Inspectors a single, printable reference for capturing the photographs that support a Confirmed Rating This is aligned, and designed for use in the field, the checklist helps you know what to photograph, when to photograph it, and what documentation is needed to support the rating. Because the best time to discover a missing photo or undocumented detail isn’t during QA, it’s while you are still on the job site. What the checklist covers The checklist is built directly around the minimum photographic requirements in HERS Standards Section 904.3.2.7.3.1., organized in a logical order for use in the field. It covers required photographs of building elevations, insulation assemblies, infiltration and duct leakage results, mechanical and ventilation systems, heating, cooling, and water heating equipment, and appliances. Each item includes a checkbox, and an N/A option for features that are not present in a particular home. There is also space to record model numbers and counts when a home has multiple systems serving the same feature. The checklist also includes a second section for best-practice photographs that go beyond the minimum requirements. These include ceiling fans, lighting, floor assemblies over unconditioned space, window and door NFRC labels, thermostats, duct layout, and site address verification. These photographs aren’t required by the HERS Standards, but they support the evidence-building approach that can make a Rating file easier to review and defend. (Keep in mind that programs such as HVAC Grading or ENERGY STAR may have additional documentation requirements beyond this checklist.) Finally, the form includes fields for rating information and a sign-off. Once completed, the checklist becomes more than a field reference; it provides a simple record that the required photographs were captured and uploaded to the Rating file. How to use it in the field Print it, load it onto a tablet, or keep it in your field kit—whatever works best for your workflow. The checklist is designed to be used as you move through the home and completed before you leave the job site. A quick review before departure can help you catch a missing nameplate, a poor-quality image, or an undocumented test result while there is still time to correct it. Fewer documentation gaps in the field can mean fewer QA findings, fewer follow-up visits, and a stronger, more defensible Rating file. Download the checklist The HERS® Photo Documentation Field Checklist is available now. Download the checklist and, if you haven’t already, revisit the full article on photo documentation in HERS Ratings for the bigger picture on why this work matters. Questions about photo documentation requirements or QA expectations? The RESNET® QA Team is here to help — reach out at technicalsupport@resnet.us.
