Nobody wants to pay for wasted energy. Understanding how to increase energy ratings and to decrease energy use allows homeowners and residents to save money. Several energy ratings and certifications are commonly used in households. These ratings assess how efficiently a home uses energy. This efficiency often influences property value, utility costs, and environmental impact. Below is a list of the most common energy ratings and what they mean.
⚡ HERS Index (Home Energy Rating System) is a numerical rating system developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to measure a home’s energy efficiency. A HERS score of 50 means a home uses 50% less energy than a standard new home. Low scores are more efficient on this scale.
100 = Standard new home built to 2006 IECC code (see below).
0 = Net-zero energy home (produces equal energy as it uses).
🌟 ENERGY STAR Certified homes are a certification program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for homes to meet strict energy efficiency guidelines. ENERGY STAR homes are typically 10–20% more efficient than standard new homes.
Key Features include: effective insulation, high-performance windows, energy-efficient heating, cooling, and appliances, and third-party verification.
🏚 IECC Compliance (International Energy Conservation Code) is a model code developed by the International Code Council that sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for new buildings.
Local jurisdictions adopt the IECC, often in incremental years with modifications, as part of building codes. It ensures baseline energy performance for heating, cooling, lighting, and insulation.
❄ SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a measurement of the cooling efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump over a typical cooling season. It’s the ratio of the unit’s cooling output (in BTUs) to its total energy input (in watt-hours) over that time.
A higher SEER rating equates to lower energy use and lower utility bills. It is important for HVAC system selection in new construction, and it may qualify for rebates or incentives.
☃ R-Value is the Standard Rating for Insulation. R-value stands for “resistance value” and measures the thermal resistance of insulation material per inch. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. Blown fiberglass is low (about R-2.2) while closed cell spray foam is high (about R-7.0+). It is calculated as:
R = Thickness of material (inches) / Thermal conductivity (k).
0 Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) is a certification by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for homes that are so energy-efficient that they could offset most or all annual energy consumption with renewable energy. The goal is high performance with low energy bills and a low carbon footprint.
The home must meet specific requirements. These include ENERGY STAR Certified, indoor air quality verified (meets EPA Indoor airPLUS), and ready for solar integration.
🍃 Indoor airPLUS is a certification by the EPA that complements ENERGY STAR by focusing on improved indoor air quality. The certification includes mold and moisture control, radon-resistant construction, and low-Volatile Organic Compounds materials. This certification is often required for ZERH certification.
🏅 LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification program by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Its rating levels are: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
The certifications include energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, and sustainable site development. LEED-H homes must meet ENERGY STAR standards and more.
♨ Passive House is a rigorous energy standard focusing on extremely low energy usage for heating and cooling. It is certified by Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) or Passivhaus in Germany.
Key features are super insulation, airtight construction, and high-performance windows and ventilation systems. These homes have up to 90% reduction in heating/cooling energy needs compared to the energy use of typical homes.
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