Home Energy Ratings
Home Energy Ratings
To qualify for an Energy Efficiency Mortgage (EEM), lending institutions require a RESNET accredited rating report to evaluate the home's energy efficiency (HERS Index Rating) in its current state for new homes or to identify opportunities for cost-efficient energy efficient upgrades for existing homes.
Look for a Home Energy Rating based on the Home Energy Ratings System (HERS), as developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). HERS Ratings require an on-site inspection of your home by a Residential Energy Efficiency Professional, who has been trained and certified by RESNET. RESNET standards are officially recognized by the U.S. mortgage industry, the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program, and the Department of Energy's Building America Program.
The company you select should send an independent, certified HERS Rater to review your home to identify its energy characteristics, including insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-window ratios, heating and cooling system efficiency, solar orientation, and water heating system. Performance Testing may also be done to measure the amount of air infiltration and duct leakage in your home. (Air infiltration and duct leakage typically accounts for at least 20-40% of a home owner's annual heating costs.)
The data gathered in this inspection and testing is entered into RESNET-accredited software, which provides a rating score and an estimate of annual savings in your utility bills based on modeling the heating/cooling loads of your home. The software will produce the mortgage industry required documentation to accompany your application for an EEM.