How to Get Your Homes Built to Save® Certified — A Builder's Guide
Built to Save® certifies new homes in the Rio Grande Valley to a verified energy performance standard — a HERS/ERI score of 63 or lower — through a process of independent inspection and testing. If you build in MVEC territory and want access to buyers asking specifically about certified homes, this guide explains exactly what registration involves, what inspections look like, and what you get when your homes carry the Built to Save® mark.
Why Built to Save® Certification Matters for RGV Builders
Buyers Are Asking for It — Are You Ready?
RGV homebuyers are paying some of the highest residential electric bills in Texas. Many of them now ask builders directly about HERS scores, blower door tests, and energy certifications before signing a contract. Builders who can point to documentation — not just marketing language — close faster and face fewer objections on price.
Built to Save® gives you a third-party-verified answer when buyers ask. Every certified home goes into the Built to Save® database, and MVEC actively promotes certified builders in its service territory.
The Business Case for Certified Homes
Certified builders gain access to tied directly to the program. Each qualifying home may also earn you the — currently $2,500 per home meeting the Energy Efficient Home standard. That is real money across a full production year.
Beyond incentives, certified homes sell a differentiated product. You are not competing only on square footage and finishes — you are offering a home that a qualified rater has independently tested and verified.
What Built to Save® Requires From Builders
Annual Registration
Every builder must register with the Built to Save® program each year. Registration is per builder, not per home — you pay once and certify as many homes as you build. To maintain active status, you must certify at least one home per year.
HERS/ERI Score of 63 or Lower
Every home must achieve a of 63 or lower, or perform 5% better than the energy code baseline. Construction must meet or exceed 2015 IECC standards at minimum. The HERS score is not self-reported — a RESNET-certified rater calculates it from actual field measurements.
Pre-Drywall and Final Inspections
Built to Save® requires two inspections per home — one before drywall is hung and one at completion. Both are conducted by a RESNET-certified energy rater. You cannot skip the pre-drywall inspection and go straight to final — the sequence is required.
A RESNET-Certified Energy Rater on Every Home
Raters are independent of the builder. Built to Save® does not assign raters — you select one from the RESNET network and coordinate the inspection schedule. If you do not already have a rater relationship, you can through the program.
The Certification Process — Step by Step
Step 1: Register with the Built to Save® program Submit your builder registration annually. Registration covers your company — not individual homes or lots. Contact the program at 956-778-3590 or to get started.
Step 2: Select a RESNET-certified home energy rater Choose an independent rater from the RESNET network. This rater will work with you across all homes you plan to certify. Establishing this relationship early prevents scheduling delays during construction.
Step 3: Submit your home plans to the rater before construction begins The rater reviews your plans and runs an energy model before you break ground. This step identifies whether the design will hit the HERS ≤63 target and flags any issues — insulation values, window specs, HVAC sizing — while changes are still inexpensive.
Step 4: Complete the pre-drywall inspection Before drywall is hung, the rater inspects the home in person. The focus is on insulation installation, air barrier continuity, and duct placement. Problems caught here cost far less to fix than problems found at final inspection.
Step 5: Build to HERS/ERI ≤63 and 2015 IECC minimum standards Continue construction to the specifications confirmed in your energy model and pre-drywall inspection. Your rater is available to answer field questions during this phase.
Step 6: Pass the final inspection At completion, the rater returns to conduct the blower door test (whole-home air leakage), duct leakage test, and a full whole-home verification. The blower door test measures how much air escapes through gaps in the building envelope — it is a pass/fail test against the program threshold.
Step 7: Receive Built to Save® certification Once the home passes final inspection, the rater submits results and Built to Save® issues certification. The home is added to the certified database — publicly searchable by buyers and real estate professionals in the RGV.
What Happens If a Home Does Not Pass?
A failed blower door test or duct leakage result does not end the process. The rater identifies the specific failure point — loose penetrations, disconnected duct sections, missing air sealing at penetrations — and you correct the issue. The rater then re-tests. Most failures are fixable within days.
Homes that fail final inspection do not receive certification until they pass. Built to Save® does not issue conditional certification or allow buyers to move in pending re-test results under the program terms. Fix the issue, re-test, pass.
How to Maintain Your Active Builder Status
Active status requires two things each year: renewing your registration and certifying at least one home. Builders who let registration lapse or go a full year without a certified home lose active status and cannot market themselves as Built to Save® certified builders until they re-register.
MVEC and the Built to Save® program send renewal reminders. If you are approaching year-end with no certified home on record, contact the program at to discuss your pipeline and what options exist.
Frequently Asked Questions — Builders
How much does it cost to get Built to Save® certified?
The program charges an annual registration fee per builder. Separately, you pay your RESNET-certified rater for plan review, pre-drywall inspection, and final inspection services — rater fees vary. Contact 956-778-3590 or for current registration pricing.
How long does the certification process take from registration to final inspection?
Timeline depends entirely on your construction schedule. Registration takes days. Plan review and energy modeling typically takes one to two weeks. The two inspections happen at specific construction milestones — pre-drywall and completion — so total duration tracks your build schedule. Builders typically see four to six months from registration to a certified home on a standard production home.
Can any builder apply, or are there eligibility requirements?
Any licensed home builder constructing new homes in MVEC territory or the broader South Texas service area can register. There are no minimum volume requirements — production builders and custom builders both qualify. The only ongoing requirement is certifying at least one home per year to maintain active status.
What happens if a home fails the blower door test?
The rater identifies where air is escaping — typically around penetrations, at the top plate, or through unsealed duct boots. Your crew seals the problem areas, and the rater retests. Most blower door failures resolve in one to two days of air sealing work. Built to Save® does not penalize builders for a single test failure, but the home cannot carry certification until it passes.
How do I maintain my active builder status year to year?
Renew your registration annually and certify at least one home each calendar year. MVEC and the Built to Save® program send renewal notices before your registration expires. Builders who let status lapse can re-register — there is no penalty fee, but the gap means you cannot represent yourself as an active certified builder during that period.
Register as a Built to Save® Builder Today
The certification process is straightforward: register, select your rater, pass two inspections, and your homes carry a verified energy standard that buyers, lenders, and real estate professionals recognize.
Call 956-778-3590, email , or through the Built to Save® website. The program team will walk you through registration and connect you with the rater network in your area.
Built to Save® certified builders build better homes and prove it. Start the process toda