THE HERS INDEX AS A PERFORMANCE PATH TO BUILDING ENERGY CODES

The RESNET HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home's energy efficiency is measured. The HERS or Home Energy Rating System was developed by RESNET and is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home's energy performance. Certified RESNET Home Energy Raters conduct inspections to verify a home's energy performance and determine what improvements can be made to increase it. For more information click on RESNET HERS Index

Hers Index

Across the nation state and local governments are adding a HERS Index Score target as a performance compliance option to their building energy code.

The reasons why a HERS Index Score is being tied into energy codes include:

  • The inspection and testing protocols are established in RESNET's national home energy rating standards. RESNET is a national not-for-profit membership standard setting organization. It is accredited by the American National Energy Standards Institute (ANSI) as a Standard Development Organization.
  • The professionals that undertake the inspection and performance testing are certified following RESNET's standards stringent training and testing procedures.
  • All certified RESNET home energy raters are subject to RESNET's quality assurance oversight procedures.
  • The RESNET national home energy rating standards are recognized by the federal government (U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service) and the mortgage industry.
  • The HERS Index is a trusted measurement of the energy performance of a home. Over one million homes have been issued a HERS Index Score in the US.

RESNET commissioned a study by the Florida Solar Energy Center on what HERS Index Scores equates to the 2006. 2009 and 2012 versions of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for typical residences across representative U.S. climates. This analysis will serve as an invaluable tool for local jurisdictions in assigning a HERS Index Score for their energy codes and in the discussion of incorporation a HERS Index Score in a future version of the IECC. To download the study click on Analysis of HERS Index Scores for Recent Versions of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

The following jurisdictions have incorporated the RESNET HERS Index Score into their building energy codes (click on the link to view the code):