About Ratings
Home energy ratings provide a standard measurement of a home's energy efficiency. Ratings are used for both and new and existing homes. In new homes, ratings often verify energy performance for the ENERGY STAR homes program, energy efficient mortgages, and energy code compliance. Homeowners who want to upgrade the home's energy efficiency can use the energy rating to evaluate and pinpoint specific, cost-effective improvements, and perhaps qualify for a energy improvement mortgage. Homeowners of existing homes can receive a report listing cost-effective options for improving the home's energy rating. For home buyers, an energy rating allows the home buyer to easily compare the energy performance of the homes being considered.
A HERS rating is a nationally recognized, comprehensive evaluation method for residences and some small commercial buildings. The term HERS is an acronym for Home Energy Rating System. A HERS rating is used to score (or rate) the energy efficiency of buildings. The lower the rating number, the more energy efficient the building. A score of 100 matches the HERS reference standard building. A score of 50 would be twice as efficient as that reference standard, while a score of 200 would use twice as much energy when compared to the reference standard.
ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). They must obtain a HERS rating index of 85 or less in the St. Louis area climate zone.
Sometimes new construction codes require homes to be energy efficient and can require the testing of a home by an energy rater in order to evaluate whether the building meets the new code requirements. Also, programs like the EPA ENERGY STAR program and many "Green" building programs require that a rating be performed. Originally, the mortgage industry was the impetus behind the development of the now-standard HERS rating, and continues to use it to evaluate qualifications for Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIM).
