Pearl Certification is on a mission to inform homeowners that you don’t have to settle for uncomfortable, drafty, unhealthy homes. By improving your home’s performance, you create a more pleasant home, lower your energy bills, place less stress on the environment, and ultimately — increase the value of your home. But none of that would be possible without the elite contractors and builders in the Pearl Network who excel in customer service, installation, credentials, training, and in every way that matters. Pearl endeavors to transform the U.S. housing market, and we thank you for joining us in this noble mission.
Transforming the Industry
Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and rebates serve as the catalyst for consumer demand for energy-efficient homes, but only through homeowners seeing the value and benefits of high-performing homes can the housing market truly be transformed.
Serving as a Public Benefit Corporation
Toward this effort, with the support of our Board, Pearl Certification incorporated as a Public Benefit Corporation to better reflect our mission.
“Pearl was founded to further the public interest by working to improve American homes and lives and to create a more sustainable future. Becoming a Public Benefit Corporation demonstrates our commitment to operating in the public’s interest to our clients, partners, and shareholders.” — Cynthia Adams, CEO and Co-founder
Influencing Industry Standards
The billion-dollar Inflation Reduction Act’s HOMES rebate program creates an incredible opportunity for homeowners to save thousands on energy-efficient improvements, but only if the upgrades meet certain energy thresholds. In Pearl’s continuous effort to support contractors, Pearl President and Co-founder Robin LeBaron chaired a committee to bring clarity to the BPI-2400 standard.
“Thankfully the Inflation Reduction Act requires verification of increased energy efficiency to help protect homeowners from bad actors. The challenge though lay in standardizing how contractors can measure the benefits they bring to the home. This component is essential to making IRA success a reality, and Pearl Certification is honored to support this historic legislation.” — Robin LeBaron, President and Co-founder
Going High Tech
Pearl’s IT team significantly expanded in 2023 to increase in-house engineering capabilities and scale the product management team. From Pearl’s certification app to the Green Door mobile app to the Inflation Reduction Act Rebates Calculator to the Pearl Solar Equity Calculator®, Pearl’s products would not exist without the ingenuity and support of the technology team.
“Pearl may not appear to be a technology company at its core, but it’s the foundation on which all our products and services are built. We are continually refining our tools and resources to better serve our customers and partners, so scaling our team to address those needs is an essential step toward delivering on our product strategy.” — AC Capehart, Chief Technology Officer
2023 Highlights
The Pearl Solar Equity Calculator now incorporates complex utility rate structures, such as time-of-use rates, net metering, and battery storage
Created the technological infrastructure to launch the Electrified Home badge
Leading to a Better Tomorrow
Tina Bennett, a respected and well-known leader in clean energy, joined Pearl as its new Chief Operating Officer to manage its operations during an anticipated period of high growth.
“I've dedicated my career to building companies that promote clean energy and create a more sustainable environment. Joining the Pearl Certification team was an easy choice as it enables me to drive market transformation across the energy efficiency and home performance industry by engaging contractors, manufacturers, builders, real estate agents, state energy offices, and the homeowners they serve. I'm proud to be part of a company committed to solutions that will improve the efficiency, health, comfort, and value of homes across America.” — Tina Bennett, Chief Operating Officer
Pearl also welcomed Mark Regier as its new Chief Financial Officer to leverage his extensive experience managing the finances of growing startups toward evolving Pearl from a developing startup into scaleup.
“I am passionate about creating new industries and disrupting current ones to drive positive change more quickly, and that’s what draws me to empower startups. Startups embrace innovation and novel thinking. Pearl Certification is the needed catalyst to create demand for more sustainable, energy-efficient home improvements. I am thrilled to help Pearl scale and grow to realize this admirable endeavor.” — Mark Regier, Chief Financial Officer
2023 Highlights
Pearl Certification welcomed Tina Bennett as our new COO and Mark Regier as our new CFO
Building Businesses
Pearl Certification would not exist without the exceptional contractors and builders who comprise our accredited Pearl Network. Recognizing that necessary upgrades to U.S. housing stock rests heavily on the shoulders of those who work in these homes every day, Pearl Certification provides our elite Network Contractors and Builders with the tools, resources, and support they need to grow their businesses. A Pearl Certification not only brings visibility to the increased value contractors and builders bring to the home, but it also speaks to their high-quality work and how they differ from the low-quality competition.
“Great contractors reshape homes, neighborhoods, communities, and entire populations for the better. Pearl's Network Contractors are leading the charge of making homes more comfortable and valuable, and we are beyond proud to be partnered with them.” — Derek Estes, Vice President, Contractor Division
2023 Highlights
Pearl issued over 73,000 certifications
Significantly expanded contractor resources, including IRA reference sheets, new marketing templates, video trainings, and an expanded Contractor Success team
Four Pearl Network Contractors are honored as 2023 ENERGY STAR® Award Recipients
Partnering for a Brighter Future
Pearl partners with industry organizations, manufacturers, technology providers, lenders, and contractor trade associations to bring new tools, resources, and training to our network. Through these business relationships, our well-known partners bring their services and offerings to the Pearl Network, and Pearl, in turn, makes third-party home certification and our software and services available to their contractors.
“Pearl highly values our industry partners. We accomplished some amazing work with each of them this year, including collaborations on events, training, programs, and more. Elevating the home services industry is a priority for Pearl and for our distinguished partners.” — Kevin Hunt, Vice President, Industry Partnerships Division
2023 Highlights
Launched new partnerships with industry leaders, such as EGIA and Mosaic
Renewed commitments to industry partners ACCA, BDR, BPA, BxB Media, Ferguson, and Lennox
The Pearl team presented at seven conferences and hosted 26 webinars to provide crucial education to contractors and builders about the Inflation Reduction Act and industry trends
Bringing Visibility to Certification
To help contractors, industry partners, state energy offices, and other key members of the home performance sector better understand Pearl's certification offering, Pearl's Quality and Standards Division launched a new home certification microsite explaining the process through which Pearl’s standards are developed, maintained, enforced, and published.
"Pearl Certification exists in a complex ecosystem with existing standards, certifications, labels, codes, and regulations that impact the development, construction, valuation, financing, and insuring of high-performing homes. Our standards recognize and build upon those industries’ standards, assisting market actors in understanding, documenting, and certifying a home’s high-performing features in an objective, systematic, and consistent manner.” — Casey Murphy, Senior Vice President of Quality and Standards
2023 Highlights
Pearl launches new Certification Standards microsite highlighting Pearl’s Standards framework
Supporting State Energy Offices
Founded in 2022, Pearl’s Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Division collaborates with states, municipalities, utilities, and other public sector entities to meet their energy efficiency, resiliency, and market transformation goals. As state energy offices prepare to rollout Inflation Reduction Act programs, Pearl’s P3 Division is ramping up to better serve them.
“The financial incentives created by the Inflation Reduction Act will significantly increase demand for high-performing homes. The IRA also requires states to create a market transformation plan so that energy-efficient home improvements continue long after the rebates have ended. We’re excited to see that directive come from DOE to support a market-based approach to decarbonizing our housing stock.” — Amy Beley, Vice President, Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Division
2023 Highlights
Igniting Real Estate
Pearl’s Real Estate Division welcomed Heather Elias, one of the first real estate agents in the U.S. to leverage digital marketing, as its new leader, and she revitalized our real estate industry offerings, including launching The Spark, a new portal that acts as a hub of education, resources, marketing materials, direct staff support, and networking opportunities.
"Agents have a wonderful opportunity to help guide their clients as they consider how to make their homes more energy efficient. We are excited to provide agents with the tools and resources they need to spark those conversations and create lasting value in their client relationships." — Heather Elias, Vice President, Real Estate
2023 Highlights
Pearl provided Inflation Reduction Act education specifically for real estate professionals
Pearl sponsored the National Association of REALTORS’ inaugural Sustainability Summit, where CEO Cynthia Adams delivered a keynote address
Nearly 100 REALTORS earned their Green Designation through Pearl’s sponsorship of their classes
Owning the Home
Home performance is a journey, and Pearl’s Homeowner Division is committed to supporting homeowners every step of the way. From heat pumps to air sealing to solar panels, energy-efficient upgrades are complex, which is why the Homeowner Division published over 50 blog posts on the topic. At the heart of Pearl’s homeowner services is our award-winning Green Door app.
“Green Door serves as a central hub for homeowners to understand, manage, and improve their home’s energy efficiency, comfort, health, and value, as well as connect with Pearl Network contractors, and real estate professionals. We’re continually improving Green Door to help homeowners maximize the return on their home investments and decarbonize the U.S. housing stock.” — Rachel Davis, Vice President, Homeowner Division
2023 Highlights
Green Door goes mobile — download it in the Apple Store or Google Play
Green Door’s Rebates Finder helps homeowners discover all the home upgrade rebates in their local area
The new IRA Rebates Calculator shows homeowners how they can save thousands on energy-efficient upgrades through the Inflation Reduction Act
Thank you to all of Pearl’s trusted partners for helping us bring visibility to the value that energy-efficient upgrades add to a home and ultimately making our global community a better place. We look forward to sharing continued success with you in 2024 and beyond!
