To provide buyers with more information about a home’s energy efficiency, the Residential Energy Services Network and the Appraisal Institute have struck a partnership to start including Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores on appraisals.
Green Building Advisor reports that in the past, standard appraisals inadequately valued energy-saving features. HERS scores will be added to the existing green-building addendum for appraisers.
The inclusion of the HERS scores may influence builders to construct high-performance buildings. In 2015, the U.S. had 206,000 HERS-rated homes, with the bulk of them (40,000) in Texas.
The HERS Index is a numerical rating system that measures energy consumption relative to a standard reference house. The reference house, a standard new home, has a score of 100; a house with a HERS Index of 70 uses 30% less energy, while a house with a HERS index of 130 uses 30% more energy. The lower the HERS score, the lower the energy costs.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Design
2023 BALA Winners: The Best of the Best
You'll find plenty of inspiration in these four award-winning projects from the Best in American Living Awards
Design
What Gen-Z Buyers Really Want in a Home
The fervor of planning for Millennials in the home building industry has now pivoted to Gen Z. So, what does this new generation want?
Design
4 Luxury Production Home Designs to Inspire
Yes, these are designs for production homes, but you won't find any cookie-cutter repetitive elements in this high-end selection