Home Energy Rating

The homeowners may then use the report to determine the most effective ways in which to upgrade the home's energy efficiency.

[2] RESNET has publicly stated that the HERS Index modifies the ANSI Standards for their proprietary HERS Ratings.

Typically differences include changes to mechanical ventilation, or seasonal/hourly calculation methods for modeling a buildings energy use.

The HERS Index replaced the earlier "HERS Score", which ran in the opposite direction: The higher the value, the better.

The energy field verifier reviews the home to identify its energy characteristics, such as insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-window ratios, the heating and cooling system efficiency, the solar orientation of the home, and the water heating system.

[11] Under RESNET's MINHERS, the process of becoming a Certified HERS Rater includes the following:[12] Under BSI's Building Science Education Training & Certification System Process 02, prior to credentialing, candidates must successfully complete the following: Please note, some States (such as Texas) have additional requirements for individuals who perform code compliance activities.

Energy Ratings are required to receive quality oversight from EPA approved HCO's, such as RESNET and BSI.

[14] These organizations are required to have RESNET-certified Quality Assurance Designees contracted or on staff to perform a minimum of 10% review of rating files (energy models) submitted for certification by a Rater annually.

BSI performs quality management oversight activities through automated activities in HouseRater, manual review of all projects submitted prior to registration, and annual organization reviews according to American Society for Quality (ASQ) guidelines.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice released a statement[18] in 2023 about a RESNET-accredited QA Provider, SkyeTec (owned by SMC Systems).

The allegations in the settlement agreement include failing to perform required inspections but still certifying homes with the ENERGY STAR program.