HERS Rating: Home Energy Score Explained

HERS Rating: Home Energy Score Explained A HERS rating measures a home's energy performance on a numeric scale and helps owners, builders, and buyers compare efficiency objectively. Understanding the HERS rating can cut heating and cooling costs, guide retrofit decisions, and qualify a home for incentives. This article explains what a HERS rating is, how the score is calculated, which upgrades move the needle, and practical DIY steps to improve your home's performance. TL;DR: - HERS is a numeric home energy index where 100 = a reference new home and 0 = net-zero; lowering your score by 10 points often saves 10–15% on heating/cooling. - Simple DIY actions like sealing air leaks, adding insulation to key cavities, and tuning HVAC systems can reduce your HERS score by 5–20 points; use a blower door and energy monitor to track gains. - Get a certified HERS rater (RESNET) for an official score, follow IECC compliance paths if required, and consider solar + efficiency together to approach a ...