A home energy rating provides a standardized measure of a home’s energy efficiency and expected energy costs.  A comprehensive home energy audit also analyzes combustion safety and builds home improvement plans.

HERS Ratings can only be conducted by RESNET certified Home Energy Raters, using a set of nationally accredited analysis procedures and software tools, and overseen by RESNET Accredited Rating Providers like the Illinois Association of Energy Raters & Home Performance Professionals.

A HERS rating can qualify a new home for ENERGY STAR or other building certification, or qualify an existing home for an energy efficient mortgage (EEM) or an energy improvement mortgage (EIM), or for modeled energy savings in the Home Star program.  Click here to find a certified professional in your area!

Steps to a HERS Rating:

• Home Audit/Site Inspection
• Energy Modeling Using REM/Rate Software
• Economic Analysis and Simulations of Energy Efficient Improvements
• Air Leakage Testing on the Home Envelope and the Duct System
• Issuance of the HERS Certificate, and ENERGY STAR Certificate or other building certification, if the home qualifies

A home energy rating involves an analysis of a home's construction plans and onsite inspections. Based on the home's plans, the Home Energy Rater uses an energy efficiency software package to perform an energy analysis of the home's design. This analysis yields a projected, pre-construction HERS Index.

Unlike a Building Performance Audit or a weatherization assessment, a home energy rating is a recognized tool in the mortgage industry. Home energy ratings can be used in a variety of ways in the housing industry. 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.

Visit our Rater Directory to find a HERS Rater near you.

---

Comprehensive Home Energy Audits

Performing a comprehensive energy audit on your home can give you the information you need to make targeted improvements to your home without wasting money and time.  Home energy audits can be performed on houses, townhomes, condos, or whole multifamily buildings.

IAER members are experienced in analysis of existing homes, especially if they are BPI certified.  Many of the same tests apply to Audits as in Ratings, but there is more focus on combustion safety, indoor air quality, and moisture issues since the home may have been built years ago and renovated since then.

Visit our Professionals Directory to find a comprehensive home energy auditor near you.