Builders can claim that their homes are energy efficient. But many of the energy efficiency features in a home are not visible, so how can home buyers really be sure? Look for homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR—these homes have had their energy efficiency independently verified by an inspector known as a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater. These professionals advise home builders how to select the most appropriate energy-efficient features for a home, inspect and test the home during construction, and then verify that the home meets EPA’s strict guidelines for energy efficiency.
BENEFITS OF INDEPENDENT INSPECTION AND TESTING
- Peace-of-Mind for Making a Smart Home Purchase: Before buying a used car, consumers often take the car to a trusted mechanic not affiliated with the seller to have an expert verify its performance. This helps ensure they are making a smart purchase. Homebuyers can have similar peace-of-mind by looking for the ENERGY STAR label—typically located on a home’s circuit breaker box. This label assures homebuyers that the home has been verified by an independent HERS rater to be truly energy efficient home. In addition to lowering monthly utility bills, the energy efficiency features typically found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes can also contribute to improved home durability and homeowner comfort.
- -Specific Recommendations: An energy-efficient home built in Florida would not necessarily be energy efficient if it were built in Michigan. For a home to be energy efficient, it must be designed for regional weather characteristics. HERS raters are trained in climate-effective energy saving techniques, and their knowledge and field experience helps ENERGY STAR builder partners construct high-quality homes.
- Additional Inspections for Quality. Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR typically undergo more inspections and testing than code-built homes. The HERS verification process helps identify and correct mistakes before they are hidden behind walls and holds builders constructing ENERGY STAR qualified homes to a higher standard. As a result, HERS verification can help improve the quality and energy efficiency of a home.
Source: ENEGRY STAR
