Home Performance Label
What is a Home Performance Label?
Effect Energy's home performance label is generated from the outcome of RESNET's Home Energy Rating System (HERS). Home energy ratings involve an analysis of a home's construction plans (as applicable) and on-site inspections. Based on the home's plans or takeoffs, the Home Energy Rater uses an energy efficiency software package to perform an energy analysis of the home's design.
Upon completion of the plan review, the rater will work with the builder or homeowner to identify the energy efficiency improvements needed to ensure the house will meet predefined performance guidelines. The rater then conducts on-site 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.
A home energy rating is a recognized tool in the mortgage industry as well as multiple green building programs. Since a rating quantifies the energy performance of a home, the HERS Index provides an easily understandable means to compare the relative energy efficiency of different homes.
The HERS Index
The HERS Index is a scoring system established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) in which a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference Home (based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code) scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero energy home scores a HERS Index of 0. The lower a home's HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is in comparison to the HERS Reference Home.
Each 1-point decrease in the HERS Index corresponds to a 1% reduction in energy consumption compared to the HERS Reference Home. Thus a home with a HERS Index of 85 is 15% more energy efficient than the HERS Reference Home and a home with a HERS Index of 80 is 20% more energy efficient.
Benefits of Hiring a RESNET Member Rater
Choosing a RESNET rater member means that you are selecting someone you can trust to objectively provide you with a comprehensive analysis of the home's major energy systems and components.
RESNET rater members are trained and have demonstrated technical proficiency and have committed to maintain and improve their technical proficiency through continuing education.
Members are committed to conducting ratings in accordance with the RESNET Rating Standards of Practice; abiding by the RESNET Rating Code of Ethics, and disclose any financial interest in the home being rated. Through their membership to RESNET, member raters demonstrate their commitment to technical and ethical quality.
Effect Energy's Home Performance Label a Compliment to ENERGY STAR® and NAHB Green Programs:
RESNET Home Energy Rating (Tier 1) Specifics
Independent Inspection and Testing of New or Existing Homes in Order to Provide RESNET's Home Energy Rating.
Effect Energy provides (as applicable):
- Measurements and take off of existing homes to ensure accurate input values. Verification of designs on new homes to ensure predefined efficiency standards will be met.
- Thermal enclosure inspection to be performed after insulation and prior to sheet rock
- Final Inspection (Building Envelope Leakage Test / HVAC System Leakage Test)
- Final Product Folder (Including RESNET certificate / diagnostic summary, Home Performance Label, Maintenance and Sustainability information and Congratulatory Letter)
ENERGY STAR® Program (Tier 2) Specifics
Independent Inspection and Testing of new homes in order to meet ENERGY STAR®'s qualification requirements.
Effect Energy provides:
- Verification of designs to ensure ENERGY STAR® efficiency standards will be met
- Marketing material
- Training where required
- Inspection of the initial framing during construction
- Thermal enclosure inspection to be performed after insulation and prior to sheet rock
- Final Inspection (Building Envelope Leakage Test / HVAC System Leakage Test)
- Final Certification (Including ENERGY STAR® certificate, diagnostic summary, Home Performance Label, Window Sticker, Maintenance and Sustainability information and Congratulatory Letter)
- Data tabulated for display of accountability and continuous improvement.
NAHB Green Program (Tier 3) Specifics
Independent Inspection and Testing of new homes in order to meet NAHB Green's qualification requirements.
Effect Energy provides:
- Verification of designs to ensure ENERGY STAR® efficiency standards will be met (one integral facet of green building)
- Marketing material
- Training where required
- Notification of scheduled rough and final Inspection to NAHB Green Inspection of the initial framing during construction
- Thermal enclosure inspection to be performed after insulation and prior to sheet rock includes verification and confirmation of points
- Final Inspection (Building Envelope Leakage Test / HVAC System Leakage Test) and complete the final verification report
- Final Certification (Including NAHB Green and ENERGY STAR® certificate, diagnostic summary, Home Performance Label, Window Sticker, Maintenance and Sustainability information and Congratulatory Letter)
- Data tabulated for display of accountability and continuous improvement.
