Final Specification for New Homes

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Final Specification for New Homes (Version 1.1 Effective January 1, 2013)

EPA released its Final Version 1.1 WaterSense New Home Specification (PDF) (20pp, 236K). This specification will be effective January 1, 2013 and establishes the criteria for new homes labeled under the WaterSense program and is applicable to newly constructed single-family and multi-family homes.

• Version 1.1 WaterSense New Home Specification (PDF) (20 pp, 236K)
• Inspection Checklists and Guides:
• Inspection and Verification Guidance for WaterSense Labeled New Homes (Version 1.1) (PDF) (20 pp, 444K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Homes Inspection Checklist (Version 1.1) (PDF) (4 pp, 112K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Homes Irrigation Audit Checklist (Version 1.1) (PDF) (3 pp, 100K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Home Irrigation Audit Guide (Version 1.1) (PDF) (2 pp, 68K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Homes—Additional Information for Single-Family New Homes Covered by a Sampling Protocol (Version 1.1) (PDF) (3 pp, 64K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Homes—Additional Information for Units in a Multi-Family Building Covered by a Sampling Protocol (Version 1.1) (PDF) (3 pp, 56K)
• Water Budget Tool
• Builder Resource Manual (Version 1.1) (PDF) (76 pp, 904K)
• Guide for Efficient Hot Water Delivery Systems (PDF) (28 pp, 484K)
• Information about having a home inspected and certified to the specification.

Provider Trainings:

WaterSense will host trainings on Version 1.1 WaterSense New Home Specification for licensed certification providers’ quality assurance designees. This training will cover all changes to the specification and inspection process, as well as materials that will be required for inspection and certification of homes under specification Version 1.1. As this training is mandatory for all licensed certification providers, two times are being offered. To register for the training, please use one of the links below. Call-in and log-in information will be emailed to you upon registration.

• October 17, 2012, 1:00–2:00 PM Eastern Time
• October 25, 2012, 3:00–4:00 PM Eastern Time

If you are a quality assurance designee and are unable to attend either of these sessions, please contact the WaterSense helpline at watersense-homes@erg.com.

Version 1.0 Final Specification & Supporting Materials (Effective through December 31, 2012)

• Final Specification for Single-Family New Homes Version 1.0 (PDF) (15 pp, 120K)
• WaterSense Single-Family New Home Specification Supporting Statement (PDF) (17 pp, 196K)
• Water Budget Tool (Option 1 in section 4.1.1 of the Specification for New Homes)
• Resource Manual for Building WaterSense Labeled New Homes (PDF) (66 pp, 540K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Home Inspection Checklist Version 1.0 (PDF) (3 pp, 78K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Home Inspection Checklist–Additional Information for New Home Covered by a Sampling Protocol Version 1.0 (PDF) (2 pp, 78K)
• Guidelines for Irrigation Audits on WaterSense Labeled New Homes Version 1.0 (PDF) (2 pp, 48K)
• WaterSense Labeled New Home Irrigation Audit Checklist Version 1.0 (PDF) (3 pp, 48K)

The WaterSense New Home Specification Background Information page has more information about the new homes specification development process, including the draft specifications, public comments on the draft specification, EPA's response to the public comments, and questions and answers.

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