Energy simu-lation software used for ENERGY STAR Homes certification is approved by the:

The ENERGY STAR Certified Homes program relies on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index to demonstrate energy performance. The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) is the organization responsible for developing and maintaining the standards for HERS ratings, including the accreditation of the energy simulation software tools used by certified HERS Raters. To be used for official HERS ratings and, by extension, for ENERGY STAR certification, the software must undergo a rigorous testing and accreditation process administered by RESNET to ensure it accurately implements the calculation methodology defined in the ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301 Standard.

A. Department of Energy (DOE): The DOE co-sponsors the ENERGY STAR program and develops energy modeling engines (e.g., EnergyPlus), but it delegates the software accreditation for the residential rating program to RESNET.
B. U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): The USGBC requires ENERGY STAR certification as a prerequisite for LEED for Homes but does not approve or accredit the specific software tools used for that program.
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA manages the ENERGY STAR program and sets the performance targets, but it relies on the RESNET framework for the technical accreditation of raters and software. ---

1. Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). RESNET Accredited HERS® Software Tools. This official page lists all software tools that have been accredited by RESNET for conducting HERS ratings, which are required for ENERGY STAR certification. It explicitly states, "The following HERS® software programs have been accredited by RESNET." (Available at: https://www.resnet.us/about/programs/software/)

2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, Version 3.2, Program Requirements. Page 4, Section 3, "ENERGY STAR Certification Process," specifies that verification must be completed by an Energy Rater credentialed by a RESNET-accredited Home Energy Rating Provider, reinforcing the program's reliance on the entire RESNET quality assurance and standards infrastructure. (Document available via energystar.gov)

3. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) & RESNET. ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019, Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Low-Rise Residential Buildings using an Energy Rating Index. This is the foundational standard that all accredited HERS software must adhere to. The accreditation process by RESNET verifies compliance with this standard. (Section 1.2, "Purpose").