The number of net zero energy homes nationally that were HERS® rated skyrocketed from 91 in 2013 to 185 in 2015. There were 122 homes HERS® rated as net zero energy homes in 2014. The average HERS® Index score of net zero energy homes rated in 2015 was -7. The following is a comparison of net zero HERS® rated homes from 2013 to 2015: Year Number of Homes HERS® Rated as Net Zero Energy Average HERS® Index Score for Net Zero Energy Homes Lowest HERS® Index Score for Net Zero Energy Homes 2013 91 -6 -63 2014 122 -7 -48 2015 185 -7 -57 In 2015 the five leading states which produced net zero energy homes were: New York (81 homes – average HERS® Index score: -7) Florida (26 homes – average HERS® Index score: -7) Nevada (12 homes – average HERS® Index score – 4) Colorado (12 homes – average HERS® Index score – 8) Massachusetts (11 homes – average HERS® Index score – 8) The home with the lowest HERS® Index score in 2015 was in Maine with a score of -57. This meant that the home will generate 57% more energy onsite than it will consume. The following is a breakdown of net zero energy HERS® rated homes in 2015 by state: State Number of Homes Rated as Net Zero Energy Average HERS® Index Score for Net Zero Energy Homes Lowest HERS® Index Score for Net Zero Energy Homes Arizona 7 -5 -20 Colorado 12 -8 -23 Connecticut 8 -8 -15 Florida 26 -7 -24 Hawaii 1 -9 -9 Indiana 1 -3 -3 Kansas 1 0 0 Maine 2 -35 -57 Maryland 2 -2 -4 Minnesota 2 -12 -17 Nevada 12 -4 -18 New Mexico 1 -24 -24 New York 81 -7 -17 Rhode Island 4 -2 -5 Texas 1 -3 -3 Vermont 4 -5 -7 Virginia 5 0 -2 Washington 3 -4 -13 Wisconsin 1 -2 -2 US Total 185 -7 -57 The RESNET HERS® Index is a relative measurement of the energy performance of a home. 100 on the HERS® Index represents a home built in 2006. A score of 0 represents a net zero energy home that produces as much onsite energy as it consumes. The average HERS® Index score in 2015 was 62. The data is from the RESNET Registry of all of the homes that were HERS® rated in the U.S. in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The 2016 RESNET Building Performance Conference will feature a special track on “From ENERGY STAR to Zero Energy Home and Beyond”. For more information on the conference go to 2016 RESNET Building Performance Conference
