Pearl Certification is a practical tool for homeowners who want to capture, manage, and improve their home's value through performance upgrades such as energy-efficient HVAC, renewable solar, high-performing insulation, windows, smart tech, and more.
Here's how our Certification System works.
THE FOUNDATION
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.
THE FRAMEWORK
Pearl certifies assets in the following categories:
The roof, walls, windows, and foundation create the barrier between the outside and inside of your home.
Equipment like your furnace and air conditioner, as well as the ductwork, keep your home at the right temperature.
Equipment such as water heaters, appliances, and electronics use a consistent amount of energy year-round, no matter what temperature it is outside.
Smart thermostats, information dashboards, and energy management plans help you maintain and improve home performance.
The solar panels, inverters, batteries, and electric vehicle chargers that provide investment-grade documentation.
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.
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.
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.
High-efficiency water heaters have a higher uniform energy factor (UEF) measurement, earning them more certification points than water heaters that are less efficient.
A low-quality installation can mean air leaks, improperly sized equipment or other issues that hold your home back from peak performance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to issuing points, Pearl also awards badges, which signify that a home excels in a particular area.
Solar-powered homes can earn the Solar Badge, which signifies a home is at least partly powered by renewable energy.
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
There are several ways to get your home assets certified by Pearl.
Download our award-winning Green Door 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.
Ask your HVAC, home performance, or solar contractor if they offer Pearl Certification on their installs. If they do, you'll receive a Certification Report at the end of your project, stored securely in Green Door.
Your real estate agent can order a Pearl Certification on your behalf. Click the button below, copy the URL, and send it to your agent to get started.
Pearl Certification is transforming the housing market. We’re making a visible difference nationwide for homeowners and the businesses that serve them.
