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Home Energy Rater System Fact Sheet | |
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| jpeg | Rating process | |
| html | The HERS Rating Tool This is a technical paper written by Philip Fairey (Florida Solar Energy Center); David Goldstein (National Resources Defense Council); Michael Holtz (Architectural Energy Corporation); Ron Judkoff (National Renewable Energy Laboratory); Jim Tait (Florida Solar Energy Center); and Dick Tracey (Energy Consultant). This technical paper provides the history of the development of a national, uniform home energy rating methodology for rating the energy efficiency of homes and a full explanation of the Normalized Modified Loads Method that is embodied in the National Association of State Energy Officials Home Energy Rating Technical Guidelines. | |
The rising costs associated with buying a home has priced many Utahns out of home ownership and has made home energy consumption an even more important factor in the overall cost of housing. A Home Energy Rating System increases affordable housing opportunities by:
- Reducing utility bills
- Increasing home resale value
- Expanding your family's range of home ownership choices
- Qualifying more families for Energy Efficient Mortgages
Similar to the EPA rating that is given to vehicles stating
the estimated miles a car can go on a gallon of gas (MPG), a
Home Energy Rating measures how efficiently a home uses energy
for its heating and cooling purposes. Unlike an energy audit,
or a house inspection, a Home Energy Rating evaluates the energy
efficiency of the entire house (not the occupants, nor just
the structure of the dwelling). The Home Energy Rating is meant
to stand over time and to be transferable to subsequent occupants
of the home.
All information is taken into account in determining the rating. No single feature or building technique is required instead, each item is assigned points, and the total number of points is what determines the rating and an Energy Star classification. For example, a house with 50% of its windows facing south will receive more points than the same house in the same spot with only 25% of its windows facing south--but not if those windows are shaded by pine trees or similar landscaping. Similarly, it is possible for an older home built with 2x4 fully insulated walls to rate higher than a new home with 2x6 fully insulated walls.
Data is collected using the "Utah Energy Checklist" on numerous components and energy systems of the house. Some of the areas of interest are:
- air flow into and out of the house through the ventilation system
- air leakage (infiltration and exfiltration) of the building shell
- heating/cooling and mechanical systems
- quality and quantity of exterior doors, windows, and insulation
- opportunities for solar gain
- energy efficient devices
After these areas of the home have been inspected, the collected
information is analyzed and the home is assigned a Home Energy
Star rating, with a corresponding numeric value. The client
who has requested the rating is provided a detailed report listing
some of the improvements (with estimated costs) and an estimated
savings of energy dollars that may be gained by making these
improvements. The rating consists of a star and a numeric ranking.
The more stars and the higher the number, the more efficient
the home. The following chart is the rating scale that is used
in Utah.
The Home Energy Rating System of Utah
Homeowner Benefits
The cost of heating and cooling a home is the largest cost of
ownership after the mortgage. A 4 or 5 Star home can save you
money on your utility bills and provide you and your family
with greater comfort for years to come.
What
Will An Energy Rating Do For Me?
Pinpoint
specific areas of your home that are wasting energy and money
and suggest the most cost effective steps to fix those areas.
- Give you the documentation you need to take advantage of the numerous financial incentives that are available for buying an energy efficient home or improving an existing home.
- Assure you that a newly constructed home is energy efficient and in compliance with the IECC 2006.
- Tell you, before you buy a house, whether the home is energy efficient or whether it is an energy waster.
- Give you more house for your money.
The
Energy Rating
When Certified Home Energy Raters in the state visit a home
they conduct a visual inspection of the house and collect data
using a variety of energy measurement devices. They inspect
many areas including the attic and crawl space. They also conduct
a blower door test to determine the home's air leakage. In addition,
this test will also provide a measurement of back drafting caused
by heating appliances and a means of determining a home's ventilation
needs.
How
Should I Prepare My Home For The Rating?
The Home Energy Rater will have all of the necessary paperwork
and assorted tools needed to do the rating. The homeowner or
the person requesting the rating should make sure that the Home
Energy Rater has clear access to the basement, attic, and crawl
spaces. If there is a fireplace or woodstove, the ashes should
be removed to avoid the possibility of soot and dust escaping
onto the floor.
How
Long Does It Take?
The time it takes to do a rating will vary somewhat depending
on the size of the house, but the homeowner should expect a
rating to last about two hours.
How
Long Before I Get the Results?
Energy Rated Homes of Utah will process the submitted paperwork
and have it ready to be returned to the homeowner normally within
three business days.
Builders
- Expanded edge through market driven energy efficiency
- Demonstrated (market driven and value added) compliance with the IECC 2006.
Real Estate Agents
- Marketing energy efficiency through easily understandable terms (Energy Star Rating)
- Identify energy efficient homes on the market for clients through the Multiple Listing Service
- Mitigate
a lower selling price for inefficient, existing homes through
Energy Improvement Mortgage programs
Lenders
- Receive Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credits
- Increased confidence in the marketability of the home in case of default
- Participate
in various federally endorsed energy mortgage programs
Appraisers
- Verify a home's relative energy efficiency through an independent source
- Factor into the appraisal a home's energy efficiency
- Access to a statewide database for comparing market data on homes according to their relative energy efficiency.
Examples
of Energy Rated Homes
Five
Star Home | Four
Star Plus Home | Four
Star Home