HERS Rating and HERS Index
Energy House Technology is a Class 1 HERS Energy Rater
Energy House Technology is a Class 1 HERS Energy Rater
HERS Rating
A home energy rating is a standard measurement of a home's energy efficiency. Home buyers can easily compare energy costs of the homes being considered if the energy ratings were performed on the homes. HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System.
There are two types of energy ratings:
The home energy rater inspects the home and measures its energy characteristics. This includes insulation levels, window efficiency, the heating and cooling system efficiency, appliances, lighting, and the solar orientation. It also includes performance testing. The blower door test measures the building leakage. The duct leakage test measures the leakage of the HVAC duct system. This inspection data is used to give the home a point score between 0 and 100, reflecting the relative efficiency of the home.
A home energy rating is a standard measurement of a home's energy efficiency. Home buyers can easily compare energy costs of the homes being considered if the energy ratings were performed on the homes. HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System.
There are two types of energy ratings:
- Projected Ratings - These are ratings performed prior to the installation of energy improvements to an existing home
- Confirmed Ratings - These are final ratings that include an on-site inspection and several performance tests (blower door and duct leakage testing).
The home energy rater inspects the home and measures its energy characteristics. This includes insulation levels, window efficiency, the heating and cooling system efficiency, appliances, lighting, and the solar orientation. It also includes performance testing. The blower door test measures the building leakage. The duct leakage test measures the leakage of the HVAC duct system. This inspection data is used to give the home a point score between 0 and 100, reflecting the relative efficiency of the home.
HERS Index
The HERS Index is a scoring system established by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network). A HERS Index of 100 is given to a home with specifications that match that of a HERS reference home that is based on the 2006
International Energy Conservation Code. The lower the home's
HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is compared to the HERS
reference home. Each 1-point reduction in the HERS Index
corresponds to a 1% reduction in the energy consumption and a 1%
improvement in the energy efficiency of the home. Thus, a home
with a HERS Index of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than the
HERS reference home. A HERS Index of 0 would represent a home
where renewable power generation is being utilized (such as
solar energy) at a level where the energy generation matches the
energy consumption of the home based on the HERS Index. These
homes have implemented energy efficient features as well as
renewable energy generation.
The Energy Rating Guide
The Building Energy Rating Guide is the official document generated as a result of the HERS energy rating. It contains a building rating scale illustrating the energy use of the rated home in comparison to the HERS reference home. It serves as an energy "yardstick", much like the MPG rating does for an automobile. It allows one to compare the energy efficiencies of one home to another. The Building Energy Rating Guide also includes a bar chart, giving a numerical breakdown of the basic sources of energy costs for the rated home. It also shows the HERS Index and the star level of the home (5 Star+ being the highest level). If the rated home qualifies for an energy efficient mortgage (EEM), that is also illustrated on the Building Energy Rating Guide.
The Building Energy Rating Guide can be a very valuable document to the home owner if the HERS Index is low. It can be used to market and distinguish the home's added energy efficiency features at the time of sale. Higher energy efficiency leads to lower ownership costs. This is turn makes the home more affordable to own.
Energy House Technology is a fully certified and insured Class 1 HERS Rater. Please contact us to help obtain the highest efficiency for your home. To learn more about how home energy ratings are used, please click HERE.
The HERS Index is a scoring system established by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network). A HERS Index of 100 is given to a home with specifications that match that of a HERS reference home that is based on the 2006
International Energy Conservation Code. The lower the home's
HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is compared to the HERS
reference home. Each 1-point reduction in the HERS Index
corresponds to a 1% reduction in the energy consumption and a 1%
improvement in the energy efficiency of the home. Thus, a home
with a HERS Index of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than the
HERS reference home. A HERS Index of 0 would represent a home
where renewable power generation is being utilized (such as
solar energy) at a level where the energy generation matches the
energy consumption of the home based on the HERS Index. These
homes have implemented energy efficient features as well as
renewable energy generation.The Energy Rating Guide
The Building Energy Rating Guide is the official document generated as a result of the HERS energy rating. It contains a building rating scale illustrating the energy use of the rated home in comparison to the HERS reference home. It serves as an energy "yardstick", much like the MPG rating does for an automobile. It allows one to compare the energy efficiencies of one home to another. The Building Energy Rating Guide also includes a bar chart, giving a numerical breakdown of the basic sources of energy costs for the rated home. It also shows the HERS Index and the star level of the home (5 Star+ being the highest level). If the rated home qualifies for an energy efficient mortgage (EEM), that is also illustrated on the Building Energy Rating Guide.
The Building Energy Rating Guide can be a very valuable document to the home owner if the HERS Index is low. It can be used to market and distinguish the home's added energy efficiency features at the time of sale. Higher energy efficiency leads to lower ownership costs. This is turn makes the home more affordable to own.
Energy House Technology is a fully certified and insured Class 1 HERS Rater. Please contact us to help obtain the highest efficiency for your home. To learn more about how home energy ratings are used, please click HERE.
