THE FOUNDATION

What's a “high-performing” home?

Your home is a system. Each feature or asset has a unique role to play, but they must all perform together to keep your home feeling good and running smoothly. For example, when a home has good attic insulation, heating and cooling systems run less, last longer, and keep you more comfortable.

Learn more in our free guide
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THE FRAMEWORK

#1: Pearl-Certifiable Assets

Pearl certifies assets in the following categories: 

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Building Shell

The roof, walls, windows, and foundation create the barrier between the outside and inside of your home.

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Heating & Cooling

Equipment like your furnace and air conditioner, as well as the ductwork, keep your home at the right temperature.

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Baseload

Equipment such as water heaters, appliances, and electronics use a consistent amount of energy year-round, no matter what temperature it is outside.

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Home Management

Smart thermostats, information dashboards, and energy management plans help you maintain and improve home performance.

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Solar, EV & Energy Storage

The solar panels, inverters, batteries, and electric vehicle chargers that provide investment-grade documentation.

#2: Pearl's Points System

Pearl uses a points system to add up the total impact of your certifiable assets on your home's performance — and, therefore, the impact on your home's value. Each asset is worth points based on a number of factors.

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Assets with a greater impact on home performance are worth more points.

Attic insulation that exceeds the best energy code is worth more points than an ENERGYSTAR® certified dishwasher because insulation does more for your overall energy use.

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Assets that interact more with your local climate are worth more points.

In Phoenix, Arizona, a high-efficiency air conditioner is worth more points than a high-efficiency furnace. In St. Paul, Minnesota, it’s the opposite.

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The more efficient an asset is, the more points it earns.

High-efficiency water heaters have a higher uniform energy factor (UEF) measurement, earning them more certification points than water heaters that are less efficient.  

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A high-quality installation adds more points than a low-quality one.

A low-quality installation can mean air leaks, improperly sized equipment or other issues that hold your home back from peak performance.

#3: Pearl Certification Tiers

The more points you earn, the higher your certification tier. As you continue to invest in your home, you can earn more points and achieve a higher level of certification.

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Pearl Asset

A home that doesn’t reach Pearl Silver can qualify for Pearl Asset Certification. This provides useful information about one or more high-performing features in the home and enables the owner to communicate the value of these features to future buyers.

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Pearl Silver

A Pearl Silver home typically has a building shell or a heating and cooling system that is much higher quality than those found in an average home.

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Pearl Gold

A Pearl Gold home has both a building shell and a heating and cooling system that is much higher quality than those found in an average home.

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Pearl Platinum

A Pearl Platinum home’s energy-efficient systems are far better than those found in an average home. Pearl Platinum homes typically have high-performing features in all four categories.

#4: Pearl Achievement Badges

In addition to issuing points, Pearl also awards badges, which signify that a home excels in a particular area.

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Solar Badge

Solar-powered homes can earn the Solar Badge, which signifies a home is at least partly powered by renewable energy.

Electrified Home Badge

Electrified Home Badge

Homes that operate solely on electricity earn Pearl's Electrified Home badge, which indicates that the home operates more efficiently and enjoys cleaner indoor air and more comfortable temperatures.

NEXT STEPS

Start the certification process.

There are several ways to get your home assets certified by Pearl. 

Certify in The Pearl App

Download our award-winning Pearl app and start adding your assets to your home profile. Manage your Pearl Points, plan your next performance upgrade, access big savings through rebates and tax credits, and request your Certification Report.

  

Go to the Pearl App

Work with a Contractor Offering Certification

Ask your HVAC, home performance, or solar contractor if they offer Pearl Certification Reports on their installs. If they do, you'll receive a Certification Report at the end of your project, stored securely in the Pearl App.

Request Certification from Your Real Estate Agent

Your real estate agent can order a Pearl Certification on your behalf. Click the link below, copy the URL, and send it to your agent to get started.

  

Request Form for Agents