Codes, Incentives & Energy Programs
ThermoDrain is an engineered, third-party certified technology built to maximize building performance, secure lucrative tax credits, and clear modern municipal building code requirements across North America.
Explore US Incentive & Code Compliance Frameworks:
Section 45L Federal Tax Credits & National Programs
Direct Federal Builder Incentives: $2,500 to $5,000 Per Home / UnitSingle-Family 45L Tax Credits
Under Internal Revenue Code § 45L, homebuilders earn direct federal tax credits for delivering verified high-performance residential construction:
- $2,500 Credit: ENERGY STAR® Certified Residential New Construction (v3.1 / v3.2).
- $5,000 Credit: DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) certification.
The ThermoDrain Advantage: Lowering water heating energy drops your modeled HERS® score by 1 to 3 points instantly, providing the exact margin needed to hit national certification targets without triple-pane glazing or exterior foam sheathing.
Multi-Family 45L & HUD Green Financing
Multi-family developers can claim substantial per-unit tax credits while unlocking favorable HUD/FHA loan terms:
- Up to $5,000 / Unit: For multi-family projects meeting DOE ZERH and prevailing wage standards ($1,000/unit base; $500 for ENERGY STAR).
- HUD MIP Reduction: Up to 25 basis point reduction on mortgage insurance premiums for green-certified multi-family properties.
Multi-Family Solution: The 4-inch TD442 unit installs directly onto stacked vertical drain stacks, capturing simultaneous multi-shower waste heat with zero mechanical moving parts.
Recognized US Rating Systems & Standards
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH)
Offsets hot water electrical demand on heat pump water heaters to meet low HERS thresholds required for the top-tier $5,000 federal tax credit.
ENERGY STAR® Residential New Construction
Recognized mechanical efficiency credit across National and Regional program checklists (v3.1 and v3.2).
NGBS Green (ICC 700) & LEED® for Homes
Awards direct Energy Efficiency points for verified passive heat recovery with zero parasitic energy loads.
High-Impact State Energy Codes & Mandates
Prescriptive Credits & Performance Path Compliance Across Leading US MarketsWashington State: WSEC Table R406.3
The Washington State Energy Code mandates builders achieve specific energy credits for permitting. DWHR earns mechanical points directly under Water Heating options, eliminating the need for expensive structural envelope changes.
Massachusetts: Stretch & Opt-In Codes
With Massachusetts municipalities enforcing HERS caps of 42 or lower under Specialized Stretch Codes, DWHR dramatically reduces primary water heating loads on heat pumps and electric resistance systems.
Colorado: Municipal IECC Stretch Codes
Jurisdictions including Denver and Boulder mandate near-net-zero and electrified standards. ThermoDrain offsets severe winter groundwater cold spikes (sub-45°F), preventing electrical service upgrades.
California (Title 24) & IECC 2021/2024
Recognized as a verified compliance measure in California CBECC-Res modeling and national IECC performance pathways, capturing easy Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance.
US Utility Rebates & Performance Incentive Summary
Program Financials for Residential Builders, Multifamily Developers & Homeowners| Region / Utility | Program Name | Incentive / Benefit Structure | Role of ThermoDrain (DWHR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (Mass Save®) | Residential New Construction & Multi-Family | Direct equipment incentives and whole-home HERS performance tier cash bonuses | Qualifying high-efficiency passive water heat recovery technology |
| Pacific Northwest (PSE, Energy Trust) | High Performance Homes Program | Cash incentives for homes exceeding state energy code (WSEC/OR-OECC) | Earns essential mechanical points under water heating compliance credits |
| New York (NYSERDA) | Low-Rise Residential / Clean Energy Homes | Builder incentives per dwelling unit for certified high-performance & ZERH builds | Enables low HERS scores required for NYStretch code tiers |
| Colorado (Xcel Energy / Utilities) | ENERGY STAR® & High-Efficiency New Homes | Builder rebates tied directly to HERS score improvement over local baseline | Delivers 1–3 HERS point drops at lowest capital cost per home |
| Federal / Nationwide | IRC Section 45L Federal Tax Credit | $2,500 – $5,000 per home direct builder tax credit | Key compliance tool to achieve ENERGY STAR and DOE ZERH thresholds |
*Note: Utility programs, rebate amounts, and qualifying criteria are subject to periodic budget updates. Verify local program guidelines with your certified RESNET HERS Rater.
RESNET HERS® Modeling Inputs for Energy Raters
Use these certified CSA B55.1 / IAPMO IGC 346 performance inputs in rating software (Ekotrope, REM/Rate, EnergyGauge) under the Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR) library. Select Equal Flow (preheated water feeds both the water heater and the cold inlet of the primary shower mixing valve) for maximum modeled HERS point deduction.
| Modeling Parameter |
TDX Compact TDX3240 (Starts at $185 USD) |
TDX Builder Pro TDX3350 (Code Standard / 45L) |
TDX Net-Zero Pro TDX3615 (DOE ZERH Ready) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target Application | Budget-focused single-family, low-clearance basements | High-volume production homes, ENERGY STAR v3.2 baseline | DOE Zero Energy Ready, luxury multi-bath custom homes |
| Nominal Length (Height) | 24.0 inches (61.0 cm) | 35.0 inches (88.9 cm) | 61.5 inches (156.2 cm) |
| Drain Stack Diameter | 3.0 inches (76 mm) | 3.0 inches (76 mm) | 3.0 inches (76 mm) |
| Connection Standards | ASTM F1807 / ASTM F1960 / Copper | ASTM F1807 / ASTM F1960 / Copper | ASTM F1807 / ASTM F1960 / Copper |
| Rated Efficiency (Equal Flow @ 2.5 GPM / 9.5 LPM) |
33.59% | 42.10% | 55.04% |
| Typical HERS® Score Reduction | -1.0 to -1.5 points | -1.5 to -2.0 points | -2.0 to -3.0 points |
| Pressure Drop (Potable Side) | < 1.8 psi | < 2.5 psi | < 3.2 psi |
| Plumbing Software Mode | Equal Flow (Heater + Shower) | Equal Flow (Heater + Shower) | Equal Flow (Heater + Shower) |
Multi-Family / Commercial Stack Modeling (4" Diameter): For stacked multifamily residential buildings requiring 4-inch vertical stacks, specify the ThermoDrain TD442 (42.0" length, 46.20% efficiency @ 2.5 GPM, < 2.5 psi drop). Modeled directly in Ekotrope and REM/Rate multi-family modules to capture points across stacked units.
Are You a HERS Rater or Builder Modeling a US Project?
Forward these certified CSA B55.1 / IAPMO ratings directly to your RESNET HERS Rater or mechanical engineering consultant to capture your 45L tax credit and energy code deductions. Contact our technical team for wholesale builder pricing or submittal sheets.