RESNET’s Standards are officially recognized by the federal government for verification of building energy performance for such programs as federal tax incentives, the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program. RESNET Standards are also recognized by International Energy Conservation Code and state utility benefit funded residential energy efficiency programs.
RESNET’s Home Energy Rating Standards (HERS) grade homes on a scale from 150-0, with lower numbers representing lower energy usage and higher energy efficiency. 0 represents a net-zero home, 100 is a reference home built to 2006 energy efficiency standards, a home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home, and a home with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than a standard new home. RESNET grades these variables to determine a home’s HERS score:
- All exterior walls
- 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
Find more information on RESNET’s HERS scores at: https://www.hersindex.com/
