Home Energy Ratings Savannah GA

Home Energy Ratings

Whether you’re in the market to buy, sell, or upgrade your existing home, the knowledge gained through a certified Energy Rating can be invaluable.

The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured.

The HERS Index Score can be described as a miles-per-gallon (MPG) sticker for houses, giving prospective buyers and homeowners an insight as to how the home ranks in terms of energy efficiency.

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.

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.

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 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home
A home with a HERS Index Score of 0 represents a net zero energy home that produces as much onsite energy as it consumes.

Who needs a HERS Rating?

Whether your selling your home or in the market for a new home, a HERS Rating can be a valueable negotiating tool.

When selling a home, a low HERS Index Score can command a higher resale price.

When buying a home, you can anticipate the costs of energy bills and efficiency upgrades.

A HERS Rating is required to certify Energy Star homes or apply for an Energy Efficient Mortgage.

It is also used by builders to distinguish their above-code homes as well as homeowners and remodelers who want to compare scores before and after a deep energy renovation.

Visit RESNET’s website or Contact Us to learn more.