Are you wondering how you can make the most of your home’s HERS rating? Or, maybe you don’t even know what a HERS rating is. Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered. Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know about HERS ratings, including what they are, what a good score is, and how you can build a custom home with a great HERS rating. If you want a green, energy-efficient home, read on to learn all about what the HERS rating means.
Efficiency Rating for Houses
HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. The HERS index is an industry-wide scale that is used to measure a home’s energy efficiency. Knowing your home’s energy efficiency can be very helpful. Not only does having a higher efficiency mean that you pay less money for things like electricity and hot water, but it’s also great for the environment, provides cleaner living conditions, and means a great resale value on your home.
HERS ratings are very important for buyers and sellers when it comes to the housing market. A home with a good HERS rating is appealing to buyers, which means you could sell your house for even more than you originally thought. On the flip side, if you’re ever looking to buy or build a house, you’ll want to know the HERS rating so that you can estimate costs for electric bills as well as the potential resale value.
What is a HERS Rating?
HERS ratings work on a scale from zero to 150. The higher score a home has, the less energy efficient it is, which means you want a low score. To determine the HERS rating of a home, many different variables are considered. Here are just a few of the things that are evaluated in an energy rating:
- Ceilings
- Roofs
- Windows
- Doors
- Vent and Ductwork
- HVAC Systems
- Exterior Walls
- Attics
- Foundations
- Crawlspaces
- Garages
- Appliances
- Cellars
- Insulation
What is a Good HERS Rating?
The lower a score is on the HERS index, the more energy-efficient that home is. But it’s hard to know what counts as low and what counts as high without any relative information.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, newly built homes have an average HERS rating of 100. At RES Contracting, our custom homes have an average HERS rating of 50, which is 50% better than the average new-build in the country.
To get a HERS rating of zero, a home needs to be a Net Zero Energy Home, which means it produces as much energy as it uses. To learn more about understanding a HERS score and getting yours measured, click here.
What is an Energy Star Home?
According to the United States Government, ENERGY STAR certified homes must meet strict guidelines to qualify. Homes must be at least 10% more energy efficient than other homes while achieving a 20% improvement on average. These homes must also provide better quality, comfort, and performance.
Schedule a Time to Review Your Project
Are you thinking about or in the process of building a new custom home and want to know more about how you can minimize your HERS rating? At RES Contracting, we have years of experience creating energy-efficient homes that have an average HERS rating of 50. If you would like us to review your project or help you get started, give us a call today to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to help you create the green, energy-efficient home of your dreams.