Measured, not guessed
Home Star Iowa is an independent home energy auditor and building-performance tester in Cedar Rapids. Real tests, real numbers, and a result you — and your building official — can trust, because testing is all we do.
Diagnostics, testing, and training under one roof
From scoring an existing home to getting a new build through its energy inspection, Home Star Iowa measures how buildings actually perform — and trains the professionals who do the same work.
Home Energy Audits
A hands-on assessment of how your home uses and loses energy — blower door, infrared, and a full diagnostic — with a prioritized list of what’s worth fixing first.
Home energy audits →Home Energy Score
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 1–10 scorecard for an existing home, with a clear list of the improvements that will make the biggest difference.
Home Energy Score →Blower Door Testing
A calibrated fan depressurizes the house to 50 pascals and measures total air leakage — a real ACH50 number, not an estimate.
Blower door testing →Energy Code Compliance Testing
Independent blower door and duct leakage testing to Iowa’s 2012 IECC, with a signed report formatted for your building official.
Energy code testing →HERS Ratings
Home Energy Rating System ratings for new homes — the energy performance number builders use to document and market efficiency.
New construction ratings →Infrared Thermal Imaging
An infrared camera reveals what the eye can’t — missing insulation, hidden air leaks, and moisture — often paired with a blower door.
Thermal imaging →BPI Training
Building Performance Institute training and certification, taught by a BPI certified trainer with a national track record since 2009.
Upcoming training →The whole point is that we don’t build the work we verify
A test result carries weight precisely because the person measuring isn’t the person who built or sealed the house. Home Star Iowa doesn’t do construction, insulation, or air sealing — testing is all we do, so the number you hand your code official, or rely on as a homeowner, is unbiased. That same independence is why builders use us for new-construction ratings and why homeowners trust the result.
Two kinds of clients, one honest measurement
Understand — and fix — an existing home
Comfort problems, high bills, or a house that never feels right? We diagnose what’s actually happening and prioritize what’s worth doing.
- Home Energy Score with a prioritized improvement list
- Blower door and infrared diagnostics
- An independent read, with nothing to sell you
Get the new build through inspection
We handle the testing and documentation your code official needs, on a timeline that fits the schedule — and tell you where to seal if a result misses.
- Energy code compliance testing to the 2012 IECC
- New-construction HERS ratings
- Signed reports and the permanent energy code certificate
From first call to a result you can act on
Reach out
Call or text us at 319-244-8564, or use the contact form, with your address, what you’re trying to accomplish, and any inspection deadline.
On-site visit
We run the right tests for the job — blower door, duct test, infrared, or a full Home Energy Score — and read the results on the spot.
Report you can use
You get clear, documented results: a scorecard and improvement list for homeowners, or a signed code report and panel label for new construction.
Serving Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa
Based in Cedar Rapids and working throughout the surrounding region. A few of the communities we serve:
A few things people ask
What is a home energy audit?
Do I need a blower door test in Iowa?
What’s the difference between a Home Energy Score and a HERS rating?
Why use an independent tester instead of the builder?
Do you serve my area?
What Eastern Iowa homeowners are saying
“It was recommended that I upgrade my HVAC to GEO by a heating company. I had Rob come in and check my house, he is very professional and knowledgeable. He ran a complete series of tests, showed me with thermo pictures and real numbers how I could insulate better, upgrade my HVAC without going to the expense of GEO and save more money. Well worth it.”
“Rob was great to work with through the home energy audit. He is very knowledgeable and thorough. I appreciate his insight, he is an independent contractor so not trying to sell you anything, just base his recommendations on the assessment made. I would recommend him to anyone else!”
“The main thing we took away from the energy assessment was the confidence that comes with having guidelines for laying out a course of action. We knew we had issues with the home’s envelope but weren’t certain where to start. Using a combination of basic and complex technologies, Rob was patient and professional. He identified problem areas and possible solutions.”
“Rob does a very thorough and fantastic job. We’ve worked together on the past 8 Cedar Rapids Student Built House projects, and every time he goes above and beyond to make sure we have the information and results needed.”
“An energy audit can be a pleasant and informative experience. It was such during the one completed by Rob Novak for my house recently. In addition to many helpful suggestions to seal warm air leaks in all areas of the house, he found a problem with carbon monoxide in one place. The water heater chimney was blocked — there was a squirrel which had died inside the chimney, fortunately not too long before. It was removed the next day and a re-check found the CO problem no longer existed. Also, I had had a problem with bats. An attempt had been made to seal off all the possible entries, but some were missed. Mr. Novak found four more. This was a real bonus. I am looking forward to a more comfortable home.”
Ready for a straight answer about your building?
Independent home energy testing and building performance work across Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa.
Home Star Iowa provides independent home energy auditing and building performance testing in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Eastern Iowa region. Energy code testing references Iowa’s residential energy standard (the 2012 IECC with state amendments); confirm the edition and testing requirements your local building official enforces.