Is that house HERS Rated ?

12/27/2016 6:06:21 PM

Buying a new home is a really big deal. Usually, if the house is brand new a buyer may choose not to have a home inspection. The builder provides a 1 year warranty by state law, and often a Home Owners Warranty for the second year as well. However, even if you have a home inspection done the inspector may fail to ask a very important question. Does this house have a HERS score?

The new Energy Codes which exist in most States require homes be built to specific energy efficient standards. Many concientious builders spend a little extra on the house by having a certified HERS rater inspect the home during construction and test it to determine the energy efficiency of the house.

What does a HERS rating say about a house?

The HERS Index measures a home's energy efficiency and there are a lot of great reasons to have a home energy rating performed on your house.

It can tell you so much about the 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.

How does the HERS Index work?

A certified Home Energy Rater assesses the energy efficiency of a home, assigning it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home.

The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a standard new home is awarded a rating of 100.

A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home
A home with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than a standard new home

Ask about the HERS Rating when buying a new home. Already bought the home? We can still determine the HERS score with some degree of accuracy; keeping in mind that some of the areas we would have viewed before the drywall are no longer visible.

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Is your home healthy?

12/27/2016 6:06:21 PM

Most of the time we speak about the energy aspects of having a home audited. However, comfort and health are the often affected heavily by air infiltration. Air enters the home, and carries with it dust, mold spores, allergens, moisture, and anything else that can become airborne. So when a home is audited, it stands to reason that we should consider how the air infiltration can affect your health.

It is a known fact in the medical world that most asthma reactions are begun by airborne particles of some kind. So controlling how air enters the home is becoming a greater concern in today's home building. We have all heard the arguement "a house has to breathe". Well, that's correct. So do you and I, but WHAT air are we breathing? Air from the attic and crawlspaces are certainly not the air we want; and even outdoor air when unfiltered will carry pollen and mold spores unchecked into the home.
A Healthy Home Evaluation looks for all 3 concerns in a home; Health, Comfort, and Energy Efficiency. The certified HHE (Healthy Home Evaluatior) has specific training to identify health issues in a home. These issues include safety too, like loose handrails or unsafe steps.

As you read this, you more than likely know someone who suffers from respiratory health issues, COPD, or aging concerns that could benefit from having their home evaluated. Presently, the industry is working to gain acceptance in the insurance industry to obtain coverage; but it is still the home owners cost for now. There are associations and groups who will provide financial assistance in some states.

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Is that house HERS Rated ?

What does a HERS rating say about a house?

How does the HERS Index work?

Is your home healthy?