Understanding the Home Energy Score
Like a miles-per-gallon rating for a car, the Home Energy Score is an easy-to-produce rating designed to help homeowners and homebuyers gain useful information about a home’s energy performance. Based on an in-home assessment that can be completed in less than an hour, the Home Energy Score not only lets a homeowner understand how efficient the home is and how it compares to others, but also provides recommendations on how to cost-effectively improve the home’s energy efficiency.
The Home Energy Score uses a simple 1-to-10 scale where a 10 represents the most energy efficient homes. Mouse over the Home Energy Score graphic above to learn what specific parts of the label mean. Click on the “Show All Hotspots” button to see all places information is hidden in the graphic or click on the button below to request a score.
Sell Faster, Buy Smarter
REALTORS and Real Estate Agents Benefit from Home Energy Scores.
Homes Sell Faster with Energy Disclosure
Homebuyers appreciate having as much information as possible when comparing homes, and the Home Energy Score helps convey this information. One study found that homes disclosing energy costs – even when those costs were high – closed at a higher percentage of the asking price and spent less time on the market than comparable homes that did not disclose energy costs.
Customers Want to Know More About Home Energy Costs
Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) provide the Home Energy Score to buyers. States across the country are adopting the Score to ensure energy efficiency information is consistent and credible.
“We’re helping change the conversation,” said Hilary Bourasa, a principal broker with Meadows Group Inc. Realtors. “It’s taking the focus away from granite counter tops and stainless-steel appliances and putting it on housing affordability.”
Financial Incentives Make the Score Attractive for Home Improvements
With Fannie Mae’s Home Style Energy mortgage, borrowers can finance up to 15% of a home’s “as completed” appraised value for energy efficiency improvements by receiving a Home Energy Score. Borrowers in this program can also qualify for a stretch on their debt-to-income ratios for homes that score a 6 or higher, or for making improvements to a less efficient home. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has a similar policy that allows larger debt-to-income ratios for high scoring homes. These policies reflect the fact that more efficient homes have lower operating costs.
Interested in more? Contact I.D. Energy to set up a presentation for your real estate office. Or to find an approved assessor for your client click “Get a Score” below!
Become a Certified Assessor
Home Energy Score Enhances Your Business
Are you curious how you can enhance your business, expand your service portfolio, help your Realtor base in the sales process, and gain backing from the U.S. Department of Energy? Become a Home Energy Score Certified Assessor! Add the U.S. Department of Energy Home Energy Score logo to all your marketing materials in addition.
The Home Energy Score is a great way to enhance your business by adding a Department of Energy supported service to your portfolio. By providing the Home Energy Score, you can supply customers with reliable home energy information to help them save money on energy costs and live more comfortably in their homes. Whether you are a home performance contractor, home inspector, or another type of residential energy professional, you can become qualified to offer the Home Energy Score!
Assessors provide valuable information to homeowners, home buyers, and renters who are curious about the energy assets – and associated costs – of a home. As energy labeling becomes more influential in the real estate market, stay ahead of the curve and offer this vital information in your service offerings. Once you have completed the qualifying training, you are ready to complete walkthroughs and give customers their personalized Home Energy Scores. I.D. Energy and the DOE work together to provide talking points, branding materials, and any technical support you need to successfully deploy the Home Energy Score. Assessors throughout the country offer the Home Energy Score in a variety of ways, depending on their business model and interests.
The most successful Certified Assessors in the Home Inspection Industry using this program are integrating the score into a standard part of their home inspection and complete a Home Energy Score on every home. This has allowed them to increase their basic inspection cost and also stand out from the competition, enabling them to sell more home inspections and at a higher cost resulting in a larger bottom line!
