You’ve probably heard the term on the radio or read about it in advertisements. As new home developments are being built, many of them are including HERS ratings in their information. And with good reason, a HERS rating is an indication of a home’s energy efficiency. If you look at some of the new homes for sale in Dallas and Acworth, GA, you will probably begin to see HERS ratings become more prevalent.
Here’s some basic information:
[pullquote style=”left” quote=”dark”]HERS gives homeowners and buyers a standard by which they can measure the energy efficiency of houses they currently own or are planning to buy. You could say it’s kind of like the home industry’s version of the MPG (miles per gallon) rating that you find in the auto industry and the lower a home’s HERS Index Score is, the better its home efficiency.[/pullquote] HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index and was created by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) to create an industry standard to measure a home’s energy efficiency, as per the quote to the right. It is now a nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.
What does this mean to you?
As a homeowner, the lower your HERS score, the more energy efficient your home is, and the more money you will save on utility expenses. As a home seller, this can be more appealing to buyers. And even if you are not considering selling your home right now, having a HERS audit or your home can result in lower energy costs and increased home comfort. But there are other reasons to have a HERS audit on your home, like:
- Discovering potential health issues
Most people are unaware of what lurks inside their walls or unseen areas of their homes. An energy audit may uncover mold and mildew issues that are a result of energy inefficiency and offer cost-effective solutions to these problems. - Identify Duct Problems
While owners of older homes usually expect energy issues, some homes that were built recently can also have issues. Poorly maintained homes can also have duct systems that cause temperature changes due to dust or humidity build-up. An energy audit will show you what ductwork, if any, needs to be repaired or replaced. - Envrionmentally Friendly Homes
Residential homes are among the biggest contributors of greenhouse gases through production and transmission of electricity in our homes. And as homeowners use more and more technology, the use of electricity is increasing. Again, by having an energy audit, you can better understand your current usage and discover ways to conserve energy.
A quick reference of energy saving tips, by home area, can be found on the RESNET website. [small_button text=”Energy Saving Tips” title=”Energy Saving Tips” url=”http://www.resnet.us/energy-saving-tips#” align=”right” target=”_blank” style=”dark”]
Some of the variables in a home energy rating that are considered include:
- All exterior walls (both above and below grade)
- Floors over unconditioned spaces (like garages or cellars)
- Ceilings and roofs
- Attics, foundations and crawlspaces
- Windows and doors, vents and ductwork
- HVAC systems, water heating system, and your thermostat.
The final score is calculated by comparing your home to a ‘reference’ new home of the same size and shape of your home, which is considered the index home. The index home is rated 100 … if your home is better than the standard reference home, your score will be lower. As the HERS index becomes used more frequently in MLS listings, you will want to learn what your home score is and how you will compare in a competitive marketplace.
You can find local RESNET professionals in our area that can help you in determining your home’s HERS score as well as offer suggestions on how to improve your score.
[small_button text=”RESNET Professionals in Acworth/Dallas Area” title=”RESNET Professionals in Acworth/Dallas Area” url=”http://www.resnet.us/directory/search/searchtype/auditor/zip/30132/trade_id/89/slug/home-energy-raters-hers-raters/page/1″ align=”left” target=”_self” style=”light”]
As you navigate homes for sale in Dallas and Acworth, GA, take note of any HERS index score reference, and energy saving appliances that a seller may include in the sale of their home.