Are you interested in determining your home's energy efficiency? If so, you should consider learning about the home energy rating system (HERS) index and how your home scores. This professional analysis of a home's energy efficiency is used to qualify it for the Energy Star label, energy-efficient mortgage (EEM), and certain tax incentives and rebates. After your home qualifies for these benefits, you'll have an easier time selling it. However, if you don't want to sell, a low HERS index means you'll be saving on energy, with probable comfort benefits too.
Obtaining a HERS Score
To obtain a HERS score, a home must undergo performance testing, such as a blower door test. Building components must be assessed, and energy efficiency modeling must be undertaken with certified software. The resulting HERS score then compares a home's energy performance to a reference home that satisfies a designated level of energy standards. While that home is rated 100 percent, a home that garners an HERS score below 100 percent exceeds those standards. One that exceeds 100 percent doesn't. In other words, you want your home to fall below 100 percent.
Putting a Home Energy Rating to Use
Reports on a wide range of factors concerning a home's energy use will result from this process. This can include compliance with energy codes and requirements, as well as projected annual energy costs. The latter will be divided into four areas: heating, cooling, water heating and lights/appliances.
Home energy rating reports can help in developing a plan to reduce energy use so your home can qualify for an energy-efficient mortgage. The plan will pinpoint areas where energy waste can be slashed or eliminated. A graph will rank a home's energy efficiency issues from most to least serious. The report will also identify what home improvements would be most and least effective.
To discuss getting a home energy rating for your Fort Wayne area home, contact the pros at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy ratings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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