Despite the continued challenges of the nation’s housing market, the number of homes that were energy rated and received a HERS® Index Score increased in 2012. In 2012 there were 128,000 homes in the United States that were issued a HERS® Index Score. This represented 35% of all new homes sold in the nation. The following has been the trend of the number of homes that have been energy rated and issued a HERS® Index Score since 2008: Year Number of Homes Issued HERS® Index Score 2012 128,000 2011 120,000 2010 120,000 2009 116,000 2008 100,000 RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden commented on the pickup in the number homes issued a HERS® Index Score in 2012, “These numbers reflect that home energy ratings are fast becoming a mainstream in the U.S. housing market. Homebuilders are increasingly seeing energy efficiency as a major selling point for buying a new home. To take advantage of this opportunity builders across the nation are presenting their homes’ energy performance in a way that every home buyer can understand, the home’s HERS® Index Score. I expect that this trend will continue as more builders commit to having all of their homes energy rated and market the HERS® Index Score of their homes.” For a listing of homebuilders that have committed to having all of their homes energy rated go to RESNET Energy Smart Builders
