NRS645D.300. Procedure; report; duties of energy auditor; limited energy audit or energy assessment.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, when conducting an energy audit, an energy auditor shall evaluate the entire home and must include, without limitation, in his or her evaluation:

      (a) A visual inspection, diagnostic overview and health and safety test of the energy features of the entire home;

      (b) Documentation of the general condition of the home, including, without limitation:

             (1) Envelope features and ages;

             (2) Types, characteristics and ages of equipment;

             (3) Characteristics of appliances and lighting; and

             (4) Any anticipated remediation issues, including, without limitation, moisture or combustion appliance problems;

      (c) An assessment of the performance and efficiency of the building airflow and indoor air quality and ventilation, including, without limitation:

             (1) Any visible sources of indoor air pollution;

             (2) The flow rate of exhaust fans and whether the clothes dryer vent is properly vented; and

             (3) An evaluation of the connection of any attached garage to the home for possible air leaks;

      (d) An assessment of the control of moisture in the home, including, without limitation:

             (1) A visual identification of any moisture present from roof leaks, wall penetrations or door or window openings; and

             (2) An identification of any potential areas where mold may grow;

      (e) An estimation of U-factors and solar heat gain coefficients of the windows and doors;

      (f) An evaluation of the efficiency of the heating and cooling of the home, including, without limitation, the performance and efficiency of any:

             (1) Furnace;

             (2) Air-conditioning system;

             (3) Heat pump;

             (4) Air duct system;

             (5) Thermal insulation;

             (6) Boiler;

             (7) System for providing steam heat;

             (8) Hot water heater; or

             (9) Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system;

      (g) An analysis of the base load energy use and advice to clients on reduction strategies, including, without limitation, an examination of:

             (1) The utility use and the billing history for the immediately preceding 12 months;

             (2) The efficiency of major appliances;

             (3) Lighting efficiency and alternatives; or

             (4) The energy used by any pool or spa; and

      (h) Testing of combustion appliances in accordance with the standards issued by the American National Standards Institute or the American Society for Testing and Materials.

      2.  After conducting an energy audit, an energy auditor shall prepare and provide to the homeowner and the United States Department of Energy a report based upon the energy audit that includes, without limitation:

      (a) Any energy programs, incentives, regulations, energy costs or fuel types which apply to the homeowner;

      (b) A specific recommendation that any combustion appliance which is post-retrofit be tested;

      (c) A prioritization of health and safety hazards in the home and recommendations for improvements according to their urgency and importance, in relation to any energy efficiency measures which have been installed;

      (d) Suggestions for home repairs and renovations based on a loading order that will maximize cost effectiveness and feasibility using computer software approved by the United States Department of Energy;

      (e) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (c), an identification of existing hazards and potential hazards which may develop, together with specific preventative measures; and

      (f) Measures to save energy and changes in the behavior of the homeowner to increase energy efficiency, including the use of consumer electronics.

      3.  An energy auditor shall not base an energy audit upon a single product line, the services of a contractor or his or her own convenience.

      4.  An energy auditor shall use survey and labeling software programs or rating tools for performing an energy audit which have been approved by the United States Department of Energy.

      5.  In lieu of an energy audit, an energy auditor may perform a limited energy audit or energy assessment of a home. If an energy auditor performs a limited energy audit or energy assessment, the energy auditor must comply with the requirements of subsections 2, 3 and 4. As used in this subsection:

      (a) “Energy assessment” means an evaluation of one or more of the appliances or systems listed in paragraph (f) of subsection 1.

      (b) “Limited energy audit” means an evaluation of a home which includes less than the entire home, but includes the provision of at least one of the services specified in paragraphs (a) to (e), inclusive, (g) or (h) of subsection 1.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1947)