RESNET certified HERS testing
The HERS Index is a measurement of a home’s energy efficiency and there are a lot of great reasons why you should have a home energy rating performed on your house. Some of the variables included in an energy rating are
All exterior walls (both above and below grade) insulation levels and framing techniques
Floors over unconditioned spaces (like garages or cellars)
Ceilings and roofs
Attics, foundations, and crawlspaces
Windows and doors, vents and ductwork
HVAC system, water heating system, and your thermostat.
Air leakage of the home
Leakage in the heating and cooling distribution system
A HERS Index Score can tell you so much about a home you are thinking of buying. Heating, cooling and water heating constitute the largest cost of homeownership outside of the mortgage loan. The HERS Index Score will tell you how well the home performs energy-wise. The HERS Report will outline the energy features of the home and the expected cost of utility bills.
It will also provide you with invaluable information about the existing home you live in, like how efficiently it’s operating and where you can make modifications for greater energy savings. When you’re selling your home, a low HERS Index Score can command a higher resale price. And when you’re buying a home, you can anticipate the costs of energy bills and efficiency upgrades.
The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a home built to the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code is awarded a rating of 100.
Energy Star certified home testing
An even higher standard of home energy efficiency that the HERS rating is the federal Energy Star program. This program takes the HERS testing and expands on it to ensure that every aspect of the home is as energy efficient as possible. This certification requires higher levels of insulation throughout the home as well as a tighter overall air seal for the building shell.
BENEFITS FOR HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS
Peace of Mind: Tried-and-true best building practices followed by independent inspections and testing from certified professionals mean that you can be confident that things were done right.
Enduring Quality: Value-adding energy efficiency features and a combination of materials and equipment deliver better performance and an overall superior level of quality.
Wall-to-Wall Comfort: You’ll see, feel, and hear the difference of a heating and cooling system that has been engineered and installed to efficiently deliver comfort. Enjoy consistent temperatures across every room and a constant supply of fresh, filtered air reducing indoor pollutants, dust, pollen, and other allergens.
Proven Value: Better energy efficiency and performance means lower utility and maintenance costs. ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments are at least 10% more energy efficient than homes built to code and achieve a 20% improvement on average, and even more when compared to most resale homes on the market today.
Existing Home Energy Audit
A home energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment, can help you understand the whole picture of your home's energy use. An audit can help you determine how much energy your home uses, where your home is losing energy, and which problem areas and fixes you should prioritize to make your home more efficient and comfortable.
A home energy audit should be your first step before making energy-saving home improvements, as well as before adding a renewable energy system to your home. A professional home energy audit will provide a thorough assessment of your home's energy use. In addition to a room-by-room examination of the home, one of our trained auditors may employ equipment such as blower doors, infrared cameras, and duct blasters.
The recommendations that your energy auditor makes for your home depends on the scope of the audit. Some lightweight suggestions may be switching to more efficient lighting, sealing air leaks from doors or adding weather stripping. Some larger suggestions might include more insulation, or replacing windows that are causing drafts in your home.
If you’re spending a lot on your energy bills, any time is the right time to get an energy audit. The sooner you make updates to your home to make it more energy efficient, the sooner you’ll start saving money.
That being said, you might want to keep in mind seasonality. Many houses feel drafty or cold in some areas and warm in others during the winter. If you spend a lot of money on energy during the winter, it might be a good idea to get energy efficiency measures complete before the cold weather kicks in.
This logic works the other way as well – if your electricity costs are high in the summer because of central air conditioning, having an audit (and time to perform energy efficiency measures) completed before the highest temperatures come may be the best route.