The award winners of the 2024 RESNET Cross Border Home Builder Challenge, which helps promote the utilization of the HERS® Index have been announced by Steve Baden, Executive Director of RESNET, and Tim Campanale, President of the Canadian counterpart CRESNET. The following are the 2024 RESNET and CRESNET Presidents award-winning builders: • RESNET South President’s Award – Elliott Homes, Yuma, Arizona with an average fleet HERS score of 52. • RESNET North President’s Award is Hanson Builders, Andover, Minnesota with an average fleet HERS score of 52. • CRESNET President’s Award is Lindvest, Toronto, Ontario with an average fleet HERS score of 46. Other award winners are: • US Zero Energy Ready Builder – Pearl Homes, Cortez, Florida with a HERS Index Score of -11 • Lowest HERS Index Score – US Low Volume Builder – Zero Net Now, New Paltz, New York with a HERS Index Score of 30. • Lowest HERS Index Score US Production Builder is Lennar, Minnesota with a HERS Index Score of 41. • Canadian Zero Energy Ready Builder is Heathwood Homes Huron Ltd, Huron, Ontario with a HERS Index Score of 40. • Lowest HERS Index Score Canadian Production Builder is Regal Crest Homes, Concord, Ontario with a HERS Index Score of 41. • Lowest HERS score Canadian Low Volume Builder is Tobey Developments, Brighton, Ontario with a HERS Index Score of 40. • US Enbridge Innovation Award is Pearl Homes, Cortez, Florida. • Canadian Enbridge Innovation Award is Dietrich Homes, Peterborough, Ontario. • US HERSH2O® Award is KB Home, Las Vegas, Nevada with a HERSH2O Index Score of 40. Canadian HERSH2O Award is Averton Communities, Vaughan, Ontario with a HERSH2O Index Score of 78. “With over 4 million homes rated in the US, the HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is now being measured in the US and Canada. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance” noted Steve Baden. “The HERS Index is based on an assessment by a certified Home Energy (HERS) Rater who evaluates a home’s energy efficiency and assigns it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy-efficient the home. The energy efficiency score is based on variables such as exterior walls (both above and below grade), floors over unconditioned spaces, ceilings and roofs, windows and doors, vents and ductwork, HVAC systems, water heating system, and your thermostat, among other elements”, commented Steve Baden. “The RESNET Cross Border Challenge is a friendly competition between American and Canadian Home Builders to determine just how energy efficient builders can build,” noted Tim Campanale. This was the 11th year for the awards. There were a total of 13 builder awards presented for this year’s competition; four were based on having the lowest HERS score for their specific category, three special President’s awards based on a fleet of HERS new home ratings, and two Net Zero awards including PV Solar applications. These awards were sponsored by Power-Pipe® drain water heat recovery system, Better Builder Magazine, Spray Foam Coalition, Beacon Building Products, BP Canada, and Panasonic. In addition, the Enbridge Innovation Award sponsored by Enbridge Gas Distribution was presented to US and Canadian builders. This award went to the builders in the US and Canada that HERS rated a home plus demonstrated energy/resource innovation in new home construction. Also, there were two HERSH2O awards for builders in the US and Canada sponsored by Greyter Water Systems. These awards went to builders in both countries with the lowest RESNET HERSH2O Index Score. The HERSH2O Index Score measures the builder’s demonstration of water efficiency within the home. The lower the score, the less water consumption. This is the 3rd year for these awards; as this water efficiency rating system is gaining popularity amongst RESNET / CRESNET Builders.
