HERS testing quagmire - Homeowner. What now?
I recently replaced the HVAC system in my apartment with a new heat pump install. My old ductwork was poorly sized and wrapped in asbestos, so I paid the contractor to tear out all the old ducting and replace, and add two new vents into two small bathrooms that weren't previously vented.
The contractor finished, a third party came out to run a HERS test, and we passed with flying colors. Incidentally, the HERS testing took about 20 minutes and required almost no equipment....
I then got a call from CHEERS, which is a California's Energy Code compliance group. They wanted to audit the testing - fine. The CHEERS guy comes out, sets up a bunch of tests that definitely didn't happen previously, and gets *nowhere near the numbers reported* by the HERS tester. He didn't want to get into specifics (apparently they're not supposed to share data with homeowners because their role is to verify testers internally) but he mentioned that we will probably see the HERS team again.
My question is: What do I do now? My contractor should fix it, of course, but they're holding a cleared HERS certificate and I have no proof to make them redo it. The ductwork is already behind new drywall, so it's not a simple fix to just retape any joints. The HERS company is obviously fraudulent, but they contracted to the contractor, so I don't even have their info, and now I'm holding the bag with a 18k bill and a poor-quality install that is going to cost me more in the long run even though the paperwork says its fine.... Final city inspection is tomorrow. Of course they rely on the HERS test data so everything is going to pass leaving me with no leverage at all. Should I tell them? How?