For Electric & Natural Gas Customers

Home Energy Rating System (HERS) involves an analysis of a home's construction plans and onsite inspections. Upon completion of the plan review, the rater will work with the builder to identify the energy efficiency improvements needed to reduce the HERS Index or to ensure the house will meet certain program guidelines such as ENERGY STAR® which are separate from the HERS rating. The rater then conducts onsite inspections, typically including a blower door test (to test the leakiness of the house) and a duct test (to test the leakiness of the ducts). Results of these tests, along with inputs derived from the plan review, are used to generate the HERS Index for the home.
 
This type of analysis was developed by RESNET and has become the recognized system for providing a projected, pre-construction HERS Index.

For more information on Energy Star certified Homes, visit the ENERGY STAR website.