Application Of The HERS® Index
What Is The HERS® Index?
The HERS Index® was created by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network). HERS refers to Home Energy Rating System – a nationally recognized way to measure the efficiency of a home.
A HERS rating can be considered the “miles per gallon” of a home. Much like when shopping for a car, you can use this standard or measure to compare different homes in terms of energy efficiency. You can search to find the rating of specific addresses on RESNET’s registry.
The Rating Software
Elizabeth Sanfelippo, the HERS Rater at Eco Three, utilizes the Ekotrope software to generate ratings. She tests the duct leakage and overall envelope leakage of a home with a blower door test. Elizabeth will then input that data, along with the measurements and assembly details for different components of a home (walls, roof, floors, windows, doors, appliances, etc.). The Ekotrope software uses this data to generate the home’s energy rating.
All rating are generated under the supervision of our provider, Energy Vanguard. Energy Vanguard reviews each file (rating) for quality assurance and performs Field Quality Assurance Reviews on a percentage of homes rated annually.
Energy Mortgages
Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIMs) utilize the HERS Index to increase loan amounts and combine energy improvements with a mortgage. A home buyer or homeowner can use a HERS Rating to roll construction costs for energy efficient upgrades into their mortgage. A new construction home buyer can use a HERS rating to increase the amount of a mortgage (based on potential savings in energy costs).
Find Out The Energy Efficiency Rating Of Your Home
If you live in Alabama and are interested in knowing the HERS rating of your home, contact Eco Three. Our energy expert will come to your home, do a thorough evaluation, generate a rating through our system, then explain how this knowledge may be used.