To find out exactly how energy efficient your home is, a home energy rating analysis is performed. Otherwise known as a HERS Rating, this rating gives an index of the energy systems throughout the house and describes the efficiency in the home. This analysis will also report detailed energy problems within a home. Think of the report as an efficiency guide. The guide reports the house energy performance level compared to what the optimum performance level would look like if all systems were performing to the best of their ability.
There are a number of different tests performed to get an accurate HERS rating. A blower test, duct leak tester, combustion analyzer and infrared cameras may be used depending on the system being analyzed. The tests help determine and detect any air leaks in a building and the amount of leaks from a HVAC duct system. Testing of the effectiveness of insulation in a building and a thorough examination of potential fire safety issues.
There are certain factors that can make a HERS Rating Quincy MA number read askew when interpreted at face value, however these factors are taken into account when tested by a professional accredited tester. Such factors are floors over garages and cellars, attic space, foundations and crawl spaces. In addition, windows, doors and vents are checked along with water heating systems and the thermostats in the building.
A hers energy rating is developed by comparing it against the data retrieved from a typical design model home used as a reference home. A HERS index score is takes into account your home and compares it with the model home that is similar in size and shape. The lower the number in your HERS rating, the more energy efficient your home is.
The HERS standard was calculated in 2006 by the Residential Energy Services Network. With this in mind, factor that any resale home today will test at a 130 HERS level while a new home tests on average at 100. If you test today on a house and get a result of 80, that means that your home is 20% more efficient than a newer home. Conversely, if your home is tested and the result is above the 100 point standard it is inefficient by that percent, when compared with a new home.