The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) has announced that over 2 million homes in the United States have now been rated with a HERS Index Score, measuring a home’s energy efficiency.
Like the miles-per-gallon calculation for cars, a HERS Index Score allows for a uniform estimate of a home’s energy consumption and provides buyers/owners with a reference point for how energy efficient it is as compared to other homes. Heating, cooling, and water heating constitute the largest cost of homeownership outside of the mortgage loan, and the HERS Index Score can help homeowners outline the energy features of the home and the expected cost of utility bills.
“We spent almost a decade developing the infrastructure and working with building industry to establish the HERS Index,” said Steve Baden, RESNET Executive Director. “What started with just a few hundred homes rated per year, has now grown to over 2 million HERS rated homes nationwide. We congratulate our network of HERS raters, providers, builders and RESNET partners across the country, on their hard work to reach this milestone.”
Last year, over 206,000 homes received HERS Index Scores, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 905,000 tons (the equivalent of taking more than 129,000 cars off the road each year) and achieving an annual energy bill savings for consumers of $268 million.
RESNET is also using this milestone to educate consumers by partnering with EnergySmart Builder KB Home on a series of media events on the value of the HERS Index. In 2012, when recognizing the millionth home to receive a HERS Index Score, RESNET partnered with EnergySmart Builder Meritage Home on outreach to consumer media.
Recently, RESNET announced partnerships with others in the home building and financing industries including the Appraisal Institute and the International Code Council to educate and expand the reach of the HERS Index and boost high energy performance homes in the marketplace.
With over 3,000 RESNET certified auditors, raters and contractors across North America, the HERS Index Score plays an increasingly important role in the housing industry, with more utility companies now offering builders rebates based on the efficiency of their homes, as rated by certified RESNET Home Energy Professionals.
In addition, the RESNET national home energy rating standards are recognized by the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Internal Revenue Service.
To find out more about RESNET and the HERS Index, visit their website at www.resnet.us
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