What is a HERS score?

What is a HERS rating or score?

RESNET HERS Index The HERS Index, The Home Energy Rating System Index is the INDUSTRY STANDARD by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.

How does the HERS Index work?

A certified Home Energy Rater assesses the energy efficiency of a home, assigning it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home.

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a standard new home is awarded a rating of 100.

A home with a HERS Index Score of 60 is 40% more energy efficient than a standard new home. A home with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than a standard new home.

To calculate a home’s HERS Index Score, a certified RESNET HERS Rater does an energy rating on your home and compares the data against a ‘reference home’– a designed-model home of the same size and shape as the actual home, so your score is always relative to the size, shape and type of house you live in.

What does a HERS rating say about a house?

The HERS Index measures a home’s energy efficiency and there are a lot of great reasons to have a home energy rating performed on your house.

Understand Whether a Home Is Energy Efficient or Not – how efficiently a home is operating
Calculate a More Accurate Cost of Homeownership – you can anticipate the costs of energy bills and efficiency upgrades
Enjoy a Higher Home Resale Value – a low HERS Index Score can command a higher resale price.
Improve Home Comfort and Reduce Energy Bills – where you can make modifications for greater energy savings