CalCERTS, Inc.

Poorly run organization. We are a contractor and have to deal with CalCerts when we pull permits for HVAC installs and do HERS testing. The online forms are easy enough to complete but Calcerts fails miserably when it comes to customer service. Almost every interaction with them is frustrating and mismanaged. They never ever (no exaggeration) answer the phone, call back or respond to rush emails in a timely manner. If you call their help line you get the most asinine automated attendant who sends you to voice mail box after voice mail box. If you can get an email through it goes to their Zendesk automated attendant and you’re lucky you get a useless response within 24 hours. Dealing with state regulations is a nightmare for the customer and the company and CalCerts only makes it worse.

Attempting to become a HERS rater, but this company isn’t about efficiency or energy savings. This is a course they designed to make money. Tests are worded to trick you in hopes of you having to pay more. Classes are thousands of dollars, retesting is hundreds. But there’s no reviewing tests or answers, that wouldn’t make as much. Shady business run by ppl who think they are elitists. Do not give this company your money.

As a home owner trying to fix permit issues, I am very upset about the amount of information about me that needs to be divulged into this bureaucracy. Why can’t I have a print out to show the building department my heater efficiency? Even the HERT testing is a big joke. There is no data for the certification to prove my heater passed except the «word» of the technician. This is a disgusting display of «nanny state» bureaus trying to save the common peasants from all unefficient HVAC’s!
My heater passed and now I need to divulge a passport or ID like a Department of Homeland Security process. This is madding to say the least.

Calcerts is a joke. Unfortunately they are the only company that will certify CF-1R’s I’ve uploaded 3 .xml files since July 1^st to have certified for Energy Compliance with many problems and jumping through all types of hoops. For some reason, now I cannot upload .xml files. Their online tech team is unresponsive and their telephones are unresponsive. I hope that Cheers is easier when they are up in action.

I was trained at CalCERTS in 2013 for a compliance rater. I think I took like 4 classes with them and they all went really smooth. The instructors were really knowledgeable and can answer just about any questions. They are strict on tests so you know that you must know your stuff to be certified by them. If your interested in Building Performance, they are the best you can choose.