HERS® Ratings are fast being considered in the mainstream of the U.S. housing market. In the first half of 2016, 100,286 new homes were HERS® rated in accordance with RESNET’s standards and issued a HERS® Index score. This is a significant increase in the number of homes rated over the same period in 2015. This represents a 15% increase in the demand for HERS® ratings in a year. Not only has the number of homes receiving HERS® ratings increased but the energy performance of the rated homes has also improved. In the first half of 2015, the average HERS® Index score of homes rated was 63. In the first half of 2016, the average HERS® Index score improved to 61. The growth of homes that are HERS® rated tracked greater than the increase in the number of new homes sold. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s “New Homes Sold and For Sale in 2016”, in the first half of 2016, 298,000 new homes were sold. This compares to the 270,000 sold in 2015. This represents a 10% growth in the new homes market. The growth of new homes HERS® rated was 5% greater than the growth of new homes sold. For more information on the HERS® Index go to RESNET HERS® Index
