Ekotrope is an energy modeling platform used by HERS Raters to evaluate the energy performance of new homes. Raters use Ekotrope RATER to calculate HERS Index scores, support ENERGY STAR and Zero Energy Ready Home certifications, and demonstrate code compliance. In doing that work, they model the HVAC equipment, insulation, windows, ventilation and other products that affect a home's energy performance. Ekotrope also offers Product Listing and Market Intelligence for residential building product manufacturers (BPMs) that want better visibility into the HERS rated new construction market.

HERS Raters matter because they can have real influence on the products considered and selected by builders. They evaluate equipment and materials, help builders understand how different choices affect energy targets, incentives and code requirements, and often do that before final product decisions are made. For many manufacturers, raters are an important audience that has received very little attention.

Ekotrope has a large and growing database of over 2 million new construction homes, built from years of HERS rated home modeling. It covers a broad mix of regions, builders, energy performance characteristics, product categories and product SKUs. What makes the data useful is where it comes from: the actual HERS modeling process. That gives manufacturers a view of product activity that is difficult to get from traditional market research alone.

Product Listing and Market Intelligence do two different jobs. Product Listing puts a manufacturer's products into the RATER workflow so raters can find and select them while modeling a home. This helps you increase awareness of your products and create demand with builders. Market Intelligence looks at what has already been modeled or recorded in HERS rated homes and helps manufacturers understand product adoption, installed share and competitive performance.

No. Ekotrope Market Intelligence does not represent every new home built in the United States. It represents the HERS rated new construction market, representing roughly 30% of US new home construction. That distinction is important. At the same time, HERS rated construction is a large and meaningful part of the new home market, which gives manufacturers a strong view of product adoption and competitive position within that segment and within the overall market.

Most traditional building product market research is based on some combination of surveys, shipment data, distributor information, or estimates. Ekotrope starts from a different place. Our data is created as homes are modeled and rated. Every home is visually inspected on-site twice by a trained, certified human. That lets BPMs see how products are showing up in actual HERS rated homes, where they are being installed, and how that changes by market, builder and model.

Product Listing puts a manufacturer's products directly into Ekotrope RATER, where HERS Raters model the equipment and materials used in rated homes. When a rater is working in an eligible category, listed products can appear as options in that workflow. The value is pretty simple: your products are easy to find and evaluate at the point where product performance is being considered in the energy model and product decisions are being made. If you are not at the table during this process, which is often called scenario modeling or value engineering, your products are not likely to be selected.

The process is straightforward. The manufacturer provides the product and performance information needed for the category (e.g. insulation, ventilation heating, cooling, etc). This information is usually readily available, and matches the information provided to registries like AHRI, HVI, etc. Ekotrope reviews the information and adds the approved products to RATER. Once added, HERS Raters can find and select the manufacturer's products by name when modeling homes. The goal is to make sure the manufacturer's products are easy to find and accurately represented.

Product Listing is available for selected building product and mechanical equipment categories that are modeled in Ekotrope RATER, including insulation, heating, cooling, water heating, ventilation, etc. We continue to add categories over time. The best approach is to talk with Ekotrope about what is open today and what information is needed for your product category.

The exact requirements depend on the product category. In most cases, Ekotrope needs model numbers, manufacturer information, the relevant performance ratings, certification information when applicable, and supporting product documentation. We work with the manufacturer to identify exactly what is needed before the listing is created.

No. Product Listing is not advertising. It places accurate product information inside the HERS Rater's modeling workflow, where the product can be considered as part of the home's energy model. The point is not to run an ad. It is to make sure the product is represented correctly and accessible when the rater needs it. The outcome, however, does generate awareness, influence, and branding benefits.

No. Product Listing and Market Intelligence can be used separately. They also work well together. Product Listing helps with product visibility going forward, while Market Intelligence helps a BPM understand what is happening in the HERS rated market today and where it may have opportunities to improve its position.

Ekotrope Market Intelligence helps manufacturers understand installed share and product adoption within HERS rated new construction. It can show where products are being installed, how performance changes from market to market, and how a manufacturer compares with competing brands and models. In simple terms, it helps answer where you are winning, where you are not and where you may want to look more closely.

Market Intelligence is built from anonymized data in Ekotrope's HERS rated home database. The data is created as homes are modeled and rated and can include HVAC equipment, insulation, windows, ventilation, air leakage and other energy related characteristics. That is an important difference from a survey or an estimate. The analysis starts with what is actually being recorded in the HERS modeling process.

Yes, when there is enough underlying data. Manufacturers can move from a broad market view into more specific geographies, and product models. The amount of detail available will vary by category and by the volume of HERS rated activity in a particular market, so we do not pretend that every market will have the same depth of data.

Yes, when the underlying data supports it. Market Intelligence can compare a manufacturer's performance and market share with named brands and models in the HERS rated new construction market. That can help sales, marketing and product teams see where they are gaining share, losing share or simply need to understand the market better.

The audience is broader than just the market research team. Sales and marketing can use the data to spot geographic trends. Product teams can use it to understand adoption and competitive performance.

No. While the builder is known for every HERS rated home, Ekotrope Market Intelligence does not provide information about exact products or specifications chosen by specific builders in order to respect their privacy. However, Ekotrope can assist manufacturers in identifying markets, locations, or even specific builders that might be a good fit for their products. Contact Ekotrope to learn more.

All Market Intelligence customers receive hands-on support from a dedicated Customer Success Manager to ensure they are successful turning Market Intelligence data into business value. However, for customers that have strategic projects or need additional assistance, Ekotrope can optionally provide full service consulting tailored to their specific needs.

Pricing depends on the solution, product category and scope of the work. Rather than force every manufacturer into the same package, Ekotrope works with the company to understand what it is trying to accomplish and then recommends the appropriate program and investment. Reach out through our website contact form to discuss your needs and tailor a quote.

No. Ekotrope does not share one manufacturer's proprietary sales, account or confidential business information with another manufacturer. Market Intelligence is based on anonymized HERS rated home data. Competitive information comes from that dataset and is presented in accordance with Ekotrope's data and product policies.

Start with a conversation with the Ekotrope Manufacturer Services team by filling out the contact form on our website. We can review whether your product category is currently eligible for Product Listing, explain what information is needed, and show you the type of Market Intelligence available for your category. From there, you can decide whether any of Ekotrope's solutions makes sense for your business.