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How Is the HERS Rating Determined?
First, a builder or homeowner must hire a HERS rater. These individuals are trained in the system and have access to software that helps develop ratings for their clients. They carry certifications and charge roughly $500 to $3,000 for their services. A search engine is available to locate raters in every state.
The raters look at a variety of issues where leaks are causing problems. A process called thermographic imaging shows precisely which areas of homes are leaking energy. These areas include gaps in the wall and ceiling insulation and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) distribution systems.
Leaks, of course, lead to higher energy bills. Even newly constructed homes can have poorly sealed doors, windows, and vents that bleed energy. A modest investment fixes leaks.
Raters capture lots of details, including the condition of foundations, attics, and crawl spaces. Homes receive points for having sophisticated thermostats, heating, and cooling equipment. And appliances with high ENERGY STAR ratings from the EPA help lower HERS scores.
HERS raters often work closely with builders and homeowners to create strategies for improving scores. They can suggest vulnerable areas in a home and how to make affordable improvements. The HERS score can be adjusted upward by tweaking different parts of a home to reflect energy efficiency improvements. Many state or municipal codes require similar home ratings after construction when it is too late to change anything. Why not hire the rater before construction to ensure you have the best-performing home for the most cost-effective way to do it.
How Can A High HERS Score Be Achieved?
To get the highest score possible new home buyers should consider an “energy smart builder.” The HERS website lists dozens of them. But the list is hardly inclusive. Buyers speaking to builders must express their desire for an energy-efficient home. Any builder can build a low HERS rated home with little effort - they can even attain net-zero!
Does An HVAC System Affect the HERS Rating?
An efficient heating system and a proper mechanical ventilation system go a long way in lowering your energy usage. Insulating and sealing the home should be tackled first and typically provide for more significant gains. Insulating and air sealing at the outset and very liberally will also allow you to spec a smaller heating and cooling system for your home. Look for electric alternatives over gas, like air or ground source heat pumps - all-electric space and water heat pumps now give dwellings lower (better) HERS ratings.
How Does Lighting Affect the HERS Rating?
Finally, lighting represents about twenty percent of a typical energy bill. An easy way to drop the cost is to use LEDs throughout a home. They last for years and consume a fraction of fluorescent or even compact fluorescent bulbs. LED prices have dropped considerably over the past five years, making their payback period typically below six months. They can even come with motion sensors built in them to save even more energy.
Brett Little
Brett Little of GreenHome Institute. Brett helps empower people to make healthier and more sustainable choices in the places they live. He has been working full time for ten years in the residential green building space helping ensure 100’s of certified green projects and educating 1000’s more on sustainable construction topics. Brett is a LEED Accredited professional in HOMES / Green Rater / Faculty and a Certified GreenHome Professional. Brett is currently working on his own residential zero carbon home improvement project to show that anyone can go zero carbon on a limited budget or without a lot of knowledge. Stay tuned.
Frank Jossi
Based in St. Paul, Frank Jossi is a journalist, editor and content strategist. He covers clean energy in Minnesota for Midwest Energy News and writes frequently for Finance & Commerce. His work has appeared in more than 70 local, national and international publications.
