Home Energy Audits (or HERS ratings) are designed to help you save money on your energy bills.  The HERS rating is a computer model and assessment of your home that can help you determine which improvements will save you the most money on your energy bills.  The HERS rating is endorsed by the EPA Energy Star program and the National Mortgage Industry.  In a sense, this gives you a payback time based on the energy savings you will see.  A home energy audit is a detailed look at your home by a specially trained professional who will use things like smoke sticks (to determine draft direction and infiltration points), infrared imaging devices (that let you see heat differentials on a surface), blower doors (a special door that can determine how much air your home leaks), and a sophisticated computer modeling program (which models your home to give heat/cooling loads and estimates energy bills). 

Based on the rating and modeling of your home, your local energy rating professional can provide you with a report and a list of repairs that will produce the best energy savings and thus the most bang for your buck.  This report is supported and indorsed by the EPA Energy Star program. 

If you are lucky enough to get your home to a “5-STAR” rating, your home qualifies for special loans (through Fannie Mae, Countrywide, and others) that can allow you to pay for the improvements with a 15 or 30-year loan rather than having to use equity or your cash reserves. 

ENERGY STAR FOR NEW HOMES

We are proud to provide rating services to qualify new homes for the ENERGY STAR^® label.  ENERGY STAR^® qualified new homes are at least 30% more energy-efficient than homes built to the national energy code.  Even in states with more rigorous energy codes, the U.S. EPA ensures that ENERGY STAR remains the symbol for truly energy-efficient performance.   These homes are good for businesses, consumers, and the environment.

 Benefits of owning an ENERGY STAR qualified new home include:

• A Label Backed by the Government – All ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are certified to meet EPA’s strict guidelines for energy efficiency.  This exemplary performance is verified by an independent third party.

• Lower Utility Costs – Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified new homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and hot water heating.  Homeowners can expect to save about $200-$400 annually on their utility bills.

• More Comfortable/Quieter Homes – The energy-efficient features of ENERGY STAR qualified new homes keep out excessive heat, cold, and noise, and ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms—making these homes more comfortable to live in.

• Helping to Create a Better Future – By purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified new home, you are joining millions of consumers who have changed to ENERGY STAR, helping our nation reduce our energy needs and building a cleaner environment for the future.

 Features of an ENERGY STAR qualified new home include:

• Increased Insulation – Improved and effective use of insulation helps achieve even temperatures throughout the house while using less energy.  The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.

• High-performance Windows – High-performance windows help keep heat in during winter and out during summer.  They also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furniture.

• Tight Construction and Tight Ducts – Tight ducts and tight construction help eliminate drafts, moisture, dust, pests, and pollen.  This improves comfort and the quality of indoor air, while lowering maintenance costs.

• Energy-efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment – More efficient and properly installed heating and cooling systems use less energy, which reduces utility bills.  These systems also turn on and off less frequently, removing more humidity and providing better comfort.

Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified new homes at http://www.energystar.gov/