How Energy Efficient Is Your Home? Understanding the HERS Index
Wouldn’t it be nice to know how energy efficient your home will be before it’s ever built—or to measure how your current home stacks up? With the HERS Index (Home Energy Rating System), you can.
The HERS Index is the nationally recognized way to measure a home’s energy performance. Think of it like miles-per-gallon for your house. Instead of fuel efficiency, it tells you how much energy your home uses, how much that energy will cost each year, and where improvements could save you money.
What a HERS Rating Includes
When you get a HERS rating, a certified rater provides a detailed report on your home’s performance. It covers:
- Annual energy use for heating, cooling, water heating, lighting, and appliances
- Estimated annual energy costs, broken down by category
- Compliance with current energy codes
- Problem areas where your home may be wasting energy (like leaky ducts or poor insulation)
- Recommendations, prioritized by impact, so you know which improvements give you the best return
This isn’t guesswork—it’s backed by diagnostic testing and energy modeling.
For New Homes
One of the biggest advantages of the HERS Index is that it can be applied before construction begins. A rater reviews your home’s plans and specifications to estimate its energy score. That means you’ll know before breaking ground whether your home design will be efficient and affordable to operate.
At Two Structures Homes, every home we build is:
- ENERGY STAR® Certified
- Verified through third-party inspections
- Designed to achieve HERS scores in the 40s to low 50s (compared to typical new homes that score between 70–100)
Our buyers don’t just hope their homes will be efficient—they get independent proof of performance. In fact, we’ve been recognized nationally for our commitment to energy-efficient building. See our feature on the official HERS Index website.
For Existing Homes
If you already own a home, a HERS rating can show you exactly where energy (and money) is being wasted. Maybe you assume drafty windows are the problem—but the rating might reveal duct leakage or poorly insulated walls instead. That insight helps you invest wisely in upgrades that actually make a difference.
A HERS rating can also help you:
- Qualify for federal tax credits on certain energy-efficient upgrades
- Verify energy savings after upgrades or remodeling
- Boost resale value, since buyers are drawn to homes with lower operating costs
How the HERS Rating Process Works
Here’s what happens when a certified RESNET rater evaluates your home:
- Assessment of walls, windows, doors, insulation, HVAC, appliances, and more
- Diagnostic testing such as blower door tests, duct leakage checks, and infrared scans
- Energy modeling using advanced software to simulate performance under real-world conditions
- Report & score with clear recommendations for efficiency improvements
What the Score Means
The HERS Index is a scale:
- 100 = a home built to today’s energy code
- 0 = a net-zero home (produces as much energy as it uses)
- Each point below 100 = 1% more energy efficient than a standard code-built home
Here’s how that plays out:
- Typical resale home: ~130
- Standard new home: 70–100
- ENERGY STAR® Certified home: 60 or lower
- Two Structures Homes: 40s to low 50s
That difference can mean thousands of dollars in energy savings over the life of the home.
Why It Matters for Homebuyers
Energy efficiency isn’t just about lowering your monthly utility bills. It’s also about:
- Comfort — no more hot/cold spots or drafts
- Durability — tighter construction = fewer long-term issues
- Resale value — energy-efficient homes sell faster and for more
- Peace of mind — knowing your home was tested and certified by an independent expert
At Two Structures Homes, we believe in transparency. The HERS Index is one way we back up our promise that your home is truly Built Better.