In 2019, there were 241,909 homes in the United States that were HERS® rated and issued a HERS® Index Score. This broke the record for the number of homes HERS® rated in a year. The previous record from 2018, were 236,116 homes HERS® rated. The average HERS® Index Score in 2019 was 59. This is 41% more efficient than a home built as recently as 2006. In 2018, the average HERS® Index Score was 61. The six leading states in terms of homes receiving a HERS® Index were: • Texas – 45,096 • Florida – 21,090 • Arizona – 20,298 • North Carolina – 16,849 • Colorado – 14,385 • Indiana – 10,294 The states with the lowest average HERS® Index Scores were: • Vermont – 34 • Hawaii – 42 • South Dakota – 43 • Minnesota – 50 • California – 51 • Connecticut – 51 • New York – 51 • Oregon – 51 For a breakdown of the number of homes HERS® rated in 2019 and the average HERS® Index Score by climate zone go to HERS® Activity by Climate Zone. For a breakdown of the number of homes HERS® rated in 2019 and the average HERS® Index Score by state go to HERS® Activity by State. Of greater significance is the calculated over $178 million in annual energy bill savings that families who purchase HERS® rated homes in 2019, as compared to the HERS® reference home. In addition, it is calculated that the HERS® rated homes will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 449 tons annually. This savings will, according to the EPA calculator, equal1,494 passenger vehicles being taken off the road for one year RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden commented on the over 241,000 homes HERS® rated in 2019, “Homebuilders are increasingly seeing energy efficiency as a major selling point for buying a new home. To take advantage of this opportunity, builders across the nation are presenting their homes’ energy performance in a way that every home buyer can understand, the home’s HERS® Index Score. I expect that this trend will continue. It is particularly encouraging that the average HERS® Index Score was 59. This is 41% more efficient than homes built as recently as 2006 and 71% more efficient than a typical home built in 1970. I congratulate the builders, HERS® Raters and program sponsors that are leading the trend to mainstream high-performance homes in the market place.” “RESNET, however, is not content with the current market share of homes that are HERS® rated. In 2020, RESNET will launch its RESNET 2020 Initiative that will include increasing the demand for HERS® Raters services through new opportunities in energy code compliance, water efficiency rating and rating the installation of HVAC systems. In addition, the RESNET Board of Directors has created a task force to recommend efforts to dramatically increase the demand for HERS® ratings.” To learn more about the RESNET 2020 Initiative, attend the 2020 RESNET Building Performance Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24 – 26. The RESNET Conference is the “not-to-miss” event on home energy ratings and home performance. For more information go 2020 RESNET Conference
