NCI-certified technicians. Fixed-fee proposals within 24 hours. Illinois & the Midwest since 2009.
NCI Certified
Founded 2009
90+ Projects
Fully Insured
ASHRAE 111
IBHS FORTIFIED
45L Tax Credit Certification in Chicago, IL is delivered by HECS — an NCI-certified, Kentucky-based testing firm serving Illinois and the broader Midwest since 2009. A 5-hour drive from our Louisville HQ. We partner with a local field tech for Chicago projects to minimize travel cost. We serve Chicago Metro — including Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Will County, and Kane County.
Local code officials, builders, developers, and program administrators across Illinois trust HECS for third-party 45L.
HECS quotes 45L projects on a fixed-fee basis after a free scoping call. Cost depends on building size, project complexity, and program requirements. Most Chicago projects fall within our standard Midwest service rate. Call (859) 983-7382 or email hecs@hecsusa.com for a project-specific quote within 24 hours.
Yes. A 5-hour drive from our Louisville HQ. We partner with a local field tech for Chicago projects to minimize travel cost. For projects outside our 4-hour radius, we partner with local field techs to minimize travel cost while maintaining NCI-certified sign-off on every report.
HECS field technicians hold NCI Certified Commercial Air Balancer credentials (valid through December 2026). HECS is also an IBHS FORTIFIED Home Evaluator, RESNET Certified HERS Rater, ENERGY STAR Multifamily Reviewer, NGBS Green Certified Verifier, and EarthCraft Certified Verifier. Every HECS report is signed by a credentialed technician — never outsourced, never subcontracted for the signature.
Yes. HECS regularly coordinates 45L with local code officials, commissioning authorities (CxA), and HERS raters across Illinois — including IHDA (Illinois Housing Development Authority) program reviewers. We deliver reports in the format your reviewer requires and attend coordination meetings when requested. References from Chicago-area code officials and developers available on request.
HECS also delivers 45L in:
Fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours — not an estimate.
Related HECS services: all HECS services · 45L Tax Credit Certification in Chicago · FORTIFIED Roof Evaluation · 45L Tax Credit Certification
HECS has certified 45L projects across Chicago for builders, developers, and CPA syndicators since 2018. Project types include single-family subdivisions, townhomes, low-rise multifamily, and qualifying apartments meeting ENERGY STAR or Zero Energy Ready Home standards.
Yes. HECS field technicians hold RESNET QES (Qualified Energy Specialist) credentials, which is the certification accepted by IRS for 45L Energy Efficient Home Credit certification under IRC §45L through PL 117-169. We sign IRS Form 8908 as the certifying provider.
45L credits are tiered: $2,500 per unit for ENERGY STAR-certified homes, $5,000 per unit for Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZEHR), with additional bonus credits for prevailing-wage + apprenticeship projects under PL 117-169. Most Chicago multifamily projects qualify for $2,500-$5,000 per unit.
Most 45L certifications in Chicago complete in 4-8 weeks from contract: 1 site visit for performance testing + 2-4 weeks desktop review of the energy model + HERS Index documentation.
Yes. If your project already has a HERS rater of record, HECS works alongside them for the energy model review + inspection verification. If no rater is engaged, HECS can serve as the QES certifying provider on the Form 8908.
HECS needs: (1) the energy model + HERS Index for each unit type, (2) built-as construction drawings if they differ from the model, (3) the property address + building permits + occupancy date. We audit, request clarifications, and prepare the Form 8908 for the CPA to attach to the tax filing.