Is HERS Home Building’s New Standard?

Fewer builders of green and energy efficient homes are decrying the lack of an industry-wide standard as more embrace Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores to compete against other newly built dwellings and resales. Last year, more than 40 percent of new homes were rated by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), which developed the HERS rating, up from the 30 percent range in 2010, according to RESNET executive director Steve Baden. Moreover, Baden says 20 of the nation’s biggest home builders and nearly 100 local builders are committed to obtaining HERS ratings for their homes. Supporters of HERS scores say they have gained popularity because of the need for builders to compete with bargain-priced foreclosures, along with the fact that they offer apples-to-apples home comparisons and give builders brand recognition. They also believe the scores are easy for consumers to understand; and given that each point on the HERS scale equals annual savings of $30, consumers can easily calculate potential savings. | Read More