The Home Energy Score allows a homeowner to compare their home's energy consumption to that of other homes, similar to a vehicle's mile-per-gallon rating. A home energy assessor will collect energy information during a brief home walk-through and then score that home on a scale of 1 to 10. A 10 would represent a home with excellent energy performance whereas a 1 would represent a home that needs extensive energy improvements or energy upgrades. The home energy assessor will provide the homeowner with a list of recommended energy improvements and the associated cost savings estimates as well as the Home Energy Score label.
This could be a great marketing tool as it can set your listing apart from another comparable property especially if this scoring system makes it into the MLS. Some states already have the more comprehensive HERS Rating in the MLS, but I think the Home Energy Score will be far more mainstream as the test will be cheaper and the result of the test produces a quick easy to see score not unlike the yellow energy use lables on applicances and gas mileage stickers on cars that everyone is already familiar with.
Here is an informative article on the Home Energy Score from a California Realtor
http://www.ourclientsfirst.com/?p=694
For detailed information on the Home Energy Scoring Program, please view the U.S. Dept. of Energy's website link below:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/homeenergyscore/
I am currently a certified HERS Rater, but will also be certified to perform Home Energy Scores as soon as the software is released to contractors, so please give me a call if you have any questions (773) 559-3360.
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