Home Energy Rating

Last updated

The Home Energy Rating is an American estimated measurement of a home's energy efficiency based on normalized modified end-use loads (nMEULs). [1] In the United States, the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) is responsible for creation and maintenance of the RESNET Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards (MINHERS), a proprietary system of standards, [2] which includes standards language for the certification and quality assurance for RESNET Provider organizations. [2] RESNET is an EPA recognized Home Certification Organization (HCO) that also help's create standards in compliance with the American National Standards Institute, namely ANSI 301, ANSI 310, ANSI 380, and ANSI 850. The Building Science Institute, Ltd. Co. (BSI) [3] is another EPA recognized HCO that maintains the ANSI Standards to produce Energy Ratings [4] and compliance with above-code programs such as the ENERGY STAR New Homes Program. [5]

Contents

Home energy ratings can be used for either existing homes or new homes. A home energy rating of an existing home allows a homeowner to receive a report listing options for upgrading a home's energy efficiency. The homeowners may then use the report to determine the most effective ways in which to upgrade the home's energy efficiency. A home energy rating of a new home allows buyers to compare the energy efficiency of homes they are considering buying.

Usage

A home energy rating can be used to estimate the energy efficiency of a home compared to a reference home built to the 2006 IECC Standards [1] or estimate the efficiency of a home that is being constructed or improved. A home energy rating of a home prior to construction or improvement is called a “projected rating”. A home energy rating that is used to determine a home's as-built estimated energy efficiency is referred to as a “confirmed rating". A home energy rating that is generated through an accepted sampling procedure is called a "sampled rating". A home energy rating that receives verification for all required minimum rated features but relies on threshold values for tested features is called a "threshold rating".

Energy assessments take into account different climatic zones in different parts of the country and are benchmarked according to average household energy consumption particular to a given climatic region.

RESNET HERS Index RESNET HERS Index.jpg
RESNET HERS Index

Home energy ratings provide a relative energy use index called the Energy Rating Index (ERI). [1] An Index of 100 represents the estimated energy performance equivalent to a home built to the 2006 IECC standards and an Index of 0 (zero) indicates that the building uses no net purchased energy (a Zero Energy Building). The lower the value, the better.

For capitalizing a building's energy performance in the mortgage loan, certification of “White Tags” for private financial investors, and by the US government for verification of building energy performance for such programs as federal tax incentives, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program.

The ERI Index is the only EnergyStar accepted index. However there are derivative calculations that include the RESNET-proprietary HERS Index which is modified by RESNET's MINHERS Standards. [2] RESNET has publicly stated that the HERS Index modifies the ANSI Standards for their proprietary HERS Ratings. [6]

Additional ERI variants are modified by different iterations of the International Code Council (ICC) energy code. Typically differences include changes to mechanical ventilation, or seasonal/hourly calculation methods for modeling a buildings energy use.

The "seasonal" option calculates energy performance based on typical weather patterns for each season of the year. This method assumes that the building's energy use is consistent with the average energy use for buildings in that region during that season. The "hourly" option, on the other hand, calculates energy performance based on hourly weather data for the entire year. This method takes into account variations in energy use due to changes in weather conditions throughout the year, and may be more accurate for buildings with complex energy systems or for buildings located in areas with extreme weather conditions.

The HERS Index replaced the earlier "HERS Score", which ran in the opposite direction: The higher the value, the better. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy presented a new scale, the "EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale)", "based on" the HERS Score, apparently simply by subtracting the HERS Index from 100. In this new scale, higher values correspond again to better performance.

As of March 2022, a Carbon Index measurement has been added to ANSI 301-2019 through Addendum D-2022. [7]

Projected and confirmed ratings

Projected ratings give home owners and builders an estimate of what a home's estimated efficiency will be like after construction or improvements, so that they may determine the most cost-effective route to improve a building's efficiency. A confirmed rating, which indicates the home's as-built estimated efficiency, requires an inspection of the home from an energy field verifier. The energy field verifier reviews the home to identify its energy characteristics, such as insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-window ratios, the heating and cooling system efficiency, the solar orientation of the home, and the water heating system. Performance testing, such as a blower door test for air leakage, outside and total duct leakage, and mechanical ventilation testing is usually part of the rating.

Confirmed, Sampled, and Threshold Ratings that are built above code requirements are registered with public databases such as the RESNET Registry [8] and the BSI Registry. [9] Some confirmed ratings also extend an economic guarantee on energy usage. [10] Due to the many different proprietary energy indexes, states cannot legally mandate certain indexes for building code compliance. As a result, many homes are not registered with the HCO's registry.

Types of verifiers

In order to provide certified Energy Ratings to rating clients such as builders or homeowners, individuals must become a Certified Rater through an EPA recognized HCO and have attended and successfully completed an EPA-recognized training class. [11]

Under RESNET's MINHERS, the process of becoming a Certified HERS Rater includes the following: [12]

Under BSI's Building Science Education Training & Certification System Process 02, prior to credentialing, candidates must successfully complete the following:

Please note, some States (such as Texas) have additional requirements for individuals who perform code compliance activities. [13] This includes additional certification(s) from the International Code Council and related organizations, which the HERS Rater certification does not comply with. In order to participate in above-code programs like the ENERGY STAR Program, Certified Raters through RESNET or BSI must complete additional training and exams.

Quality management of energy ratings

Energy Ratings are required to receive quality oversight from EPA approved HCO's, such as RESNET and BSI.

RESNET's MINHERS grants the authority of individual companies, called Rating Providers or QA Providers to offer this oversight internally or with 3rd parties. [14] These organizations are required to have RESNET-certified Quality Assurance Designees contracted or on staff to perform a minimum of 10% review of rating files (energy models) submitted for certification by a Rater annually. Additionally, QA Providers must perform on-site field QA on 1% of ratings submitted by a Rater annually. RESNET requires these QA Providers submit annual packages verifying their QA work complies with RESNET standards, which are reviewed by RESNET Staff members. On an annual basis, RESNET also performs field quality assurance audits on 25% of QA Providers, and 50% of QA Providers receive a file quality assurance audit.

BSI performs quality management oversight activities through automated activities in HouseRater, manual review of all projects submitted prior to registration, and annual organization reviews according to American Society for Quality (ASQ) guidelines. Verification Organizations contracted through BSI can perform quality management internally, provided the Quality Assessors are properly credentialed by BSI and do not conflict with the Structural Requirements for Verification Organizations.

Criticisms

Home energy rating systems in the United States are not without concerns regarding the ethical practices of the companies and the variability of the outputs generated by the rating companies.

As early as 2014, [15] researchers from Proctor Engineering [16] discovered wide variations between 6 HERS Raters. They found between 12% to 48% difference in the HERS Index depending on the home. A later study in 2018, [17] funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and performed by regional energy efficiency organizations, found variations in the HERS Index. The average variation was 13 points, with a project in Portland having a range of 6 HERS Index points and a project in Denver having a range of 32 HERS Index points.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice released a statement [18] in 2023 about a RESNET-accredited QA Provider, SkyeTec (owned by SMC Systems). The allegations in the settlement agreement include failing to perform required inspections but still certifying homes with the ENERGY STAR program.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National House Building Council</span>

The National House Building Council (NHBC) states its primary purpose as raising the construction standards of new homes in the United Kingdom (UK), and providing consumer protection for homebuyers through its 10-year Buildmark warranty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy Star</span> US energy efficiency program

Energy Star is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that promotes energy efficiency. The program provides information on the energy consumption of products and devices using different standardized methods. The Energy Star label is found on more than 75 different certified product categories, homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants. In the United States, the Energy Star label is also shown on the Energy Guide appliance label of qualifying products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy conservation</span> Reducing energy consumption

Energy conservation is the effort to reduce wasteful energy consumption by using fewer energy services. This can be done by using energy more effectively or changing one's behavior to use less service. Energy conservation can be achieved through efficient energy use, which has some advantages, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller carbon footprint, as well as cost, water, and energy savings.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is an Australian scheme to measure the energy efficiency of a residential dwelling. An accredited software tool assesses the home based on a variety of criteria and produces an energy star rating.

The Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA) is an American trade body that sets standards for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment. It rates fan balance and vibration, aerodynamic performance, air density, speed and efficiency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BSI Group</span> British standards development organization

The British Standards Institution (BSI) is the national standards body of the United Kingdom. BSI produces technical standards on a wide range of products and services and also supplies certification and standards-related services to businesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy audit</span> Inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows in a building

An energy audit is an inspection survey and an analysis of energy flows for energy conservation in a building. It may include a process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output. In commercial and industrial real estate, an energy audit is the first step in identifying opportunities to reduce energy expense and carbon footprint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Business Certification Inc.</span>

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is an American organization that provides third-party credentialing and verification for several rating systems relating to the built environment. It was established as the Green Building Certification Institute in January 2008 with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council to provide independent oversight of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project certification and professional credentialing processes. The organization's current name was adopted on 16 April 2015 after the organization starts to provide third-party certification for the International WELL Building Institute's evidence-based building standard WELL Building Standard on 4 April 2014, the Perfect Power Institute's PEER standard, and the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark.

This article provides examples of green building programs in the United States. These programs span the public, private, and non-profit sectors, and all have the goal of increasing energy efficiency and the sustainability of the built environment.

R-2000 is a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) program that was developed in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders' Association in 1981, and formalized as a standard in 1982. Notably, the R-2000 standard is a voluntary standard to exceed building code requirements for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and environmental responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green building in Australia</span> Overview of green building in Australia

Green buildings in Australia are assessed and rated by a variety of government and independent ratings systems.

The Builders Challenge is a high-performance housing recognition initiative led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy through its Building Technologies Program. The voluntary program with incentives was announced by the DOE on 14 February 2008. Through the Builders Challenge, participating homebuilders can more easily differentiate their high energy-performance homes from other less energy-efficient products in the marketplace by means of a standardized energy rating system. “Best energy-performing” is defined by the DOE as scoring 70 or lower on the EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale), that is, at least 30 percent more efficient than a typical home built per the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code. The Builders Challenge aims for 1.3 million homes scoring 70 or lower to be constructed by 2030 thereby saving $1.7 billion in energy costs per DOE estimate.

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a set of guidelines that aim to improve the sustainability and environmental performance of buildings during their design, construction, and operation. It was introduced by the International Code Council (ICC), a non-profit organization that provides building safety and fire prevention codes for the United States and other countries. It is a model code designed to be mandatory where it is implemented.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States building energy codes</span>

United States building energy codes are a subset of building codes that set minimum requirements for energy-efficient design and construction for new and renovated buildings. The intent of these energy codes is to moderate and reduce energy use and emissions throughout the lifetime of a building. Energy code provisions may include various aspects of building design and construction, such as: HVAC systems, building envelope, electrical, and lighting systems. There are building energy codes for both commercial and residential buildings. However, just as the United States does not have a national building code, it also does not have a national building energy code; rather, state, and local governments choose to adopt—and potentially revise—national model energy codes and standards. Consequently, building energy codes, and building codes in general, vary between states and jurisdictions.

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard published by ASHRAE and jointly sponsored by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) that provides minimum requirements for energy efficient designs for buildings except for low-rise residential buildings. The original standard, ASHRAE 90, was published in 1975. There have been multiple editions to it since. In 1999 the ASHRAE Board of Directors voted to place the standard on continuous maintenance, based on rapid changes in energy technology and energy prices. This allows it to be updated multiple times in a year. The standard was renamed ASHRAE 90.1 in 2001. It has since been updated in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 to reflect newer and more efficient technologies.

ISO 50001Energy management systems - Requirements with guidance for use, is an international standard created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It supports organizations in all sectors to use energy more efficiently through the development of an energy Management System. The standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system, whose purpose is to enable an organization to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy security, energy use and consumption.

The House Energy Rating (HER) or House Energy Rating Scheme (HERS) are worldwide standard measures of comparison by which one can evaluate the energy efficiency of a new or an existing building. The comparison is generally done for energy requirements for heating and cooling of indoor space. The energy is the main criterion considered by any international building energy rating scheme but there are some other important factors such as production of greenhouse gases emission, indoor environment quality, cost efficiency and thermal comfort, which are considered by some schemes. Basically, the energy rating of a residential building provides detailed information on the energy consumption and the relative energy efficiency of the building. Hence, HERs inform consumers about the relative energy efficiency of homes and encourage them to use this information in making their house purchase decision.

eRating Program for passenger vehicles

eRating is a certification, education, and labeling program for passenger vehicles in the United States. It was developed by Certification for Sustainable Transport (CST) at the University of Vermont.

The National Green Building Standard (NGBS) is an ANSI-approved green building certification program, specifically focused on single-family and multi-family residential buildings, remodeling projects, and land developments.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a nonprofit professional certification and accreditation organization that offers both individual and company accreditation programs for photovoltaic system installers, solar heat installers, technical sales, and other renewable energy professionals throughout North America. NABCEP was officially incorporated in 2002 and its mission is to raise standards while promoting consumer and other stakeholders' confidence within the renewable energy industry.

References

  1. 1 2 3 ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2019
  2. 1 2 3 "RESNET Mortgage Industry National Energy Rating Standards". RESNET Mortgage Industry National Energy Rating Standards. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Home Page". Building Science Institute. July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Energy Rating Index Quality Management Organization". Building Science Institute, Ltd. Co. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)". ENERGY STAR. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Standard Development Process For HERS Impact and Increased Deliberations". RESNET. July 1, 2022. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ "RESNET-ANSI American National Standards". RESNET. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  8. ↑ http://www1.resnet.us/registry/ RESNET Registry of Ratings
  9. ↑ "Building Science Institute Registry". Building Science Institute Registry. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  10. ↑ http://www.ecoachievers.com/services-view/guarantee/ Guaranteed Home Energy Usage
  11. ↑ "Energy Rating Companies". www.energystar.gov. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  12. 1 2 "MINHERS Standards Chapter 2". RESNET MINHERS Continuous Maintenance Standards. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  13. ↑ "HEALTH AND SAFETY". TEXAS BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  14. ↑ "MINHERS Chapter 9". RESNET MINHERS Continuous Maintenance Version. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  15. ↑ Bailles, Allison (2014-09-16). "All Over the Map — The Imprecision of 24 California HERS Ratings". Energy Vanguard.
  16. ↑ "HERS Estimates Vs. Energy Consumption". Proctor Engineering. 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  17. ↑ "Home Energy Rating Variability Study: A Comparison in New Single-family Homes" (PDF). Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA). 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  18. ↑ "SMC Systems Inc. to Pay $2.35 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Statements Relating to Energy Star Program". U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida. 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.