A home energy rating involves an analysis of a home’s construction plans and onsite inspections. Based on the home’s plans, the Home Energy Rater uses an energy efficiency software package to perform an energy analysis of the home’s design. This analysis yields a projected, pre-construction HERS Index. Upon completion of the plan review, the rater will work with the builder to identify the energy efficiency improvements needed to ensure the house will meet (or exceed) specific performance guidelines.  The rater then conducts onsite inspections, typically including a blower door test (to test the leakiness of the house) and a duct test (to test the leakiness of the ducts). Results of these tests, along with inputs derived from the plan review, are used to generate the HERS Index score for the home.

It works very similarly for an existing home. The rater analyzes existing specifications and lays out a plan to increase energy efficiency in the home and can actually project the savings.

The HERS Index is a scoring system established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) in which
a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference
Home (based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code) scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero energy
home scores a HERS Index of 0.

The lower a home’s HERS Index, the more energy efficient
it is in comparison to the HERS Reference Home.

Each 1-point decrease in the HERS Index corresponds to a 1% reduction in energy consumption compared to the HERS Reference Home.

Thus a home with a HERS Index of 85 is 15% more energy efficient than the HERS Reference Home and a home with a HERS Index of 80 is 20% more energy efficient.

The Residential Energy Services Network's (RESNET®) mission is to ensure the success of the building energy performance certification industry, set the standards of quality, and increase the opportunity for ownership of high performance buildings. RESNET is a membership 501-C-3 non profit organization.

RESNET’s standards are officially recognized by the U.S. mortgage industry for capitalizing a building’s energy performance in the mortgage loan, certification of “White Tags” for private financial investors, and by the federal government for verification of building energy performance for such programs as federal tax incentives, the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program and the
U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program.

• Tax Credits
• Other Tax Incentives
• Energy Efficient Mortgages
• Discounted Loans
• Closing Cost Payment Programs
• Down-Payment Assistance Programs
• Increased Resale Value
• Both local and national recognition
• Significant overall reduction in energy costs
• Healthier Home

Field Inspection, including blower door and duct blaster testing, and a HERS software analysis:
Up to 2,000 square feet: .$275
2,000-3,000 square feet: $375
3,000-4,000 square feet: $425
Over 4,000 square feet:    Based on Quote 

Blower Door Test ONLY: $125
Duct Blaster Test ONLY:  $125

A Green Verifier is responsible for the majority of the third-party verification in building a certified green home under the National Association of Homebuilders Green Building Program.
Accredited verifiers perform the following key functions:

• Executing a verification agreement with the builder. This defines specific verification fees, number of meetings with the builder, number of inspections of any home presented for certification, and any expected performance tests of homes under construction.
• Confirming with the builder that the appropriate home scoring method/tool correctly shows the points claimed by the builder and that both parties understand the level (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) of green building certification that is being sought by the builder.
• Checking to see if a builder candidate is in an approved green development and, if so, determine the number of pre-approved points the green development provides to the builder.
• Deciding, with the builder, whether an initial document review of the builder's supporting documentation is required before the initial (pre-drywall) site inspection. Verifiers complete such document review, if needed, and record results.
• Scheduling the first (pre-drywall) site inspection and notifying the certifying agent (the NAHB Research Center) of this scheduled date.
• Conducting the pre-drywall site inspection and documenting the results.
• Documenting any performance tests (i.e. duct leakage test results) done on this home by the verifier or by others.
• Scheduling the second (final) inspection and notifying the certifying agent (the NAHB Research Center) of this scheduled date.
• Including documentation of any performance tests (blower door or flow hood test results) done on this home by the verifier or by others.
• Conducting the final site inspection and documenting the all results (documentation review, first and final site inspections) and any verifier comments into the appropriate form for confirmation by the certifier.