What is the HERS Index?

The HERS Index was developed by RESNET as a way to compare buildings based on their energy consumption relative to a standardized scale. The HERS Index can be considered the building's "Energy Use Index".

Looking at the scale to the right, a standard new home built to the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) would have an Index equal to 100. Most existing homes will often have a HERS Index of 130 or higher. A home built more than 20 years ago can have a HERS Index that is significantly higher. Even new homes are not immune to a high HERS Index because the 2004 IECC is not enforced by building officials in many areas.

Each point on the scale above is equal to 1% in energy usage. Therefore, a home with an Index of 50 is 50% MORE efficient than if it had been built exactly to the 2004 IECC, and a home with an index of 150 is 50% LESS efficient. Though it is not reflected here, the HERS Index scale ranges from 0-500 to accommodate older homes that may be very inefficient.

A home with a HERS Index of 0 (zero) is said to be a "Zero Energy Home" because it consumes NO net purchased energy.

The HERS Index is recognized by:

The Mortgage Industry for capitalizing energy efficiency in mortgages
The Financial Industry for certification of "white tags"
The Federal Government for verification of building energy performance for:
- Federal Tax Credit qualification
- EPA ENERGY STAR labeled homes
- U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Program
Some States for minimum code compliance

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