In today’s competitive real estate market, sellers are looking for ways to set their home apart from the competition. Getting a HERS energy rating may be one way to do just that.
HERS is the acronym for Home Energy Rating System, and it is “the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.”
Homes are rated for energy efficiency and issued with a HERS Index Score based on their energy performance. A certified RESNET HERS Rater will conduct a series of diagnostic tests and provide a comprehensive report that will include a rating score on the HERS Index where the rated home is compared to the HERS Reference Home to determine how energy efficient it is. Much like MPG for automobile fuel efficiency, a HERS score can tell “homebuyers at a glance how energy efficient those homes are. And that means they can make informed decisions when choosing a home.” A 2011 study conducted by the Earth Advantage Institute of homes in six-counties in Oregon found that existing houses with third-party certifications such as a HERS score sold for 30% more than non-certified homes. (“The report will also contain a cost/benefit analysis for the recommended improvements and expected return on investment.”)
The HERS Index was developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), an “independent, non-profit organization committed to helping homeowners reduce the cost of their utility bills by making their homes more energy efficient.”
For more information about the HERS Index, or how to find a certified RESNET Home Energy Rater, or just to talk about sustainability in Miami, contact Melanie Dawn by text/phone at 305.801.3133, or by email at MelanieinMiami@gmail.com.