A Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score is a point system designed by the Federal Department of Energy to measure the energy efficiency of a home. The process involves inspection and testing of the building for envelope tightness, duct leakage, heating & cooling efficiency, duct work leakage, window efficiency and other features which may affect energy consumption. The HERS score is based on a 100 point system. A home must achieve a HERS score of 85 or less to qualify as an Energy Star home. Homes meeting this standard can be labeled as Energy Star compliant.
What is a HERS rater and what do they do?
A HERS rater is a trained and certified 3rd party independent testing company that verifies and tests a structure for energy efficiency.
A HERS rater relies on information from the builder or homeowner, reviews building plans, inspects the structure for verification of energy saving improvements, inspects insulation levels then applies testing protocols including a blower door test and duct blaster test. This information is loaded into an energy rating software program and calculates a HERS score.
What is a blower door test?
A blower door is a piece of testing equipment which is attached to an exterior door frame of a home and includes a large blower fan and manometer. Inside and outside pressures are monitored by the manometer as the blower fan runs. The entire structure is depressurized (typically at 50 pascals) and in so doing pulls outside air in from any sources of leakage. This measures the overall envelope leakage of the structure.
What is a duct blaster test?
A duct blaster is a piece of testing equipment which is attached to the heating and cooling systems duct work (return air) and includes a small blower fan and manometer. It is ran in conjunction with a blower door to test for duct leakage. 20% to 35% of energy loss can occur because of leaky ductwork.
What software is used to calculate a HERS score?
The Federal Department of Energy prescribes software which is approved to calculate HERS scores for Energy Star. There are several approved and our company uses REM Rater software from Architectural Energy Corporation.
What does it cost to be an Energy Star Partner?
The Federal Department of Energy administrates the Energy Star labeling program. It does not cost anything to be an Energy Star Partner, just a commitment on the part of a builder to be able to build to Energy Star standards should a customer desire it. A builder can also be a 100% Energy Star Partner where they make a commitment to build everything 100% Energy Star compliant.
What does a Partnership with Energy Star do for me?
An Energy Star builder partner gets listed on energystar.gov website's list of Energy Star builders which can possibly drive more business to the builder. It also provides the builder with the most up to date building science information regarding energy efficient building methods and products. Various marketing tools are available to help you sell your Energy Star labeled home.
What is the difference between Energy Star and the Federal Energy Tax Credit?
Energy Star and the Federal Energy Tax Credit are separate issues. Energy Star is administrated by the Federal Department of Energy and requires a minimum energy savings of 15% below the 2004 IECC energy code. The Federal Energy tax credit is administrated by the Internal Revenue Service and requires a minimum energy savings of 50% below the 2004 IECC energy code.
What HERS score is required to obtain the Federal Energy Tax Credit?
The HERS score relates only to Energy Star. The energy tax credit is pass or fail and is based on a 50% energy savings below the 2004 IECC energy code.
What is the Federal Energy Tax Credit?
The federal energy tax credit is an inducement for builders to construct energy efficient homes. Builders can qualify for a $ 2,000.00 tax credit per home which complies with the 50% energy saving threshold and if sold between October 31, 2005 and December 31, 2008.
How does the builder qualify?
The home must have a certified independent third party (HERS Rater) test the home and issue a tax credit certificate if it qualifies.
Can a homebuyer take advantage of the tax credit too?
No, the federal energy tax credit is for the builder only. However, there is up to a $ 500.00 energy tax credit available to homeowners who retrofit existing homes.
Green Building is a construction methodology which takes into account not only energy efficiency, but also water conservation, resource management, and environmental impact considerations into the building process. The net result being a more efficient, comfortable, healthy and environmentally friendly product.
Who administrates Green Building?
The Green Built Initiative is a non-profit international organization to promote green building practices. A green building protocol was established between the Green Built Initiative and the National Home Builders Association to establish requirements for green built compliance. A builder administrates their own green built construction based off the national requirements.
How is green built homes determined?
The Green Built Initiative established a point system for all categories of the building process. A builder will get varying points for each green built task accomplished. During the construction process an independent 3rd party will verify that the builder has allocated points correctly and that the green built components are in place. Depending on the points achieved, the builder will be issued a certificate indicating Green Built compliance at a bronze, silver or gold level.
What is the incentive for building green?
Currently there are no incentives for building green other than consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of green construction in their daily lives and the long term positive affect that green built will have on the environment. Additionally, green built practices in some instances can actually lower construction costs by more efficiently using resources in the building process. It can be a win/win situation for the builder and consumer.
What is a third party verifier?
A third party verifier is a person who does not have an interest in or a specific relationship with a builder regarding the outcome of a Green Built audit. It is a consumers guarantee that the green built protocol was actually employed in the construction of a home.