Unlock the insights driving the future of high-performance homes. RESNET®’s 2026 Data Trends Report in HERS® Rated Homes provides the latest national, state, and local insights into homes that received a HERS rating in 2025. The report analyzes rating activity, average HERS Index scores, home characteristics, building components, equipment efficiencies, air leakage trends, solar adoption, and whole-house water efficiency data. The 2026 report delivers valuable data and trend analysis based on 2025 HERS Rating activity, helping industry stakeholders track market performance, benchmark results, and identify emerging opportunities. In 2025, 34 percent of all new single-family homes built in the U.S. were rated for their energy efficiency using the Residential Energy Services Network’s (RESNET®) HERS Index. The HERS Index is comparable to a miles-per-gallon rating for homes, where a lower score indicates less energy use. A score of 100 represents a home built to standard 2006 construction practices, while a score of zero represents a home that produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. This annual report examines trends across all homes receiving a HERS rating in 2025 and was completed on behalf of RESNET’s Suppliers Advisory Board. The report begins with national trends in HERS ratings and average HERS Index scores. It then examines state-level trends, including the total number of HERS ratings in each state and the percentage of new homes that received a rating. The city-level analysis highlights the top 25 markets for both single-family and multifamily ratings. The remainder of the report focuses on detailed trends across HERS Ratings, including a breakdown of the basic characteristics of rated homes and individual building components. It covers a variety of building envelope components, air leakage rates, equipment efficiencies, and the use of solar on HERS Rated homes. In 2025, HERS Raters rated more than 420,000 homes. The average HERS Index in 2025 was 53, a two-point improvement from 2024. This average represents a 47 percent improvement in efficiency compared to a home built in 2006. Since 2013, the average HERS Index score has decreased by 11 points. Sixty-eight percent of all homes rated last year were one- and two-family dwellings, while 32 percent were multifamily units. RESNET’s HERSH2O® whole-house water efficiency rating program also reached a record year, with more than 7,500 homes rated in 2025. This represents a 25 percent increase over 2024 and reflects steady growth for HERSH2O and the WaterSense Label for Homes. The national average HERSH2O score was 62 last year. A score of 70 or lower is required to qualify for the WaterSense Labeled Homes program. The table of contents provides an overview of the topics covered in this year’s report. Access the Report The seventh annual report is available free to members of RESNET’s Suppliers Advisory Board. Non-members may purchase a copy for $495. To obtain a copy of the report, complete the 2026 Data Trends Report Form About RESNET’s Suppliers Advisory Board This report is made possible with support from RESNET’s Suppliers Advisory Board (SAB) members. If you are a supplier of goods or services to the homebuilding market, you can join RESNET’s Suppliers Advisory Board and receive additional access to RESNET’s HERS Rating data, RESNET Conference Sponsorship benefits, and opportunities to get in front of RESNET’s vast network of home energy professionals. Visit https://www.resnet.us/about/sab/ for more information and the benefits of becoming a member of the SAB.
