When looking to buy a new home, knowing the ins and outs of your purchase is important. Being informed about the many aspects of your home allows you to manage, evaluate, and make decisions that best suit you. When exploring purchasing a new home and wondering about a home's energy efficiency, ask for a Home Performance Report (HPR).
An HPR shows that the home has been inspected and energy tested by a certified Residential Energy Service Network (RESNET) energy rater. Included is a HERS rating which stands for “Home Energy Rating System.” The HERS rating shows how energy efficient a home is.
The HERS Index was created to give homeowners and buyers a standard by which they could measure the energy efficiency of houses they currently own or are planning to buy. The lower a home’s HERS Index Score, the better its energy efficiency.
The typical HERS Index Score for a resale home is 130. This means if you’re in the market for a home, this house will be much less energy efficient than a standard new construction home built in Minnesota, which has an average HERS Index Score of 50. That’s 50% more efficient than a standard new home and 80% more efficient than the average resale home.
1. Energy-efficient homes provide greater comfortability, lower utility costs, and a more environmentally friendly build.
2. Energy costs play a large role in the affordability of a home, and being energy efficient only helps lower overall spending.
3. The report provides an objective tool that homeowners and buyers can use to help compare homes, creating space to make more informed decisions.
4. Low HERS rated homes typically have a higher appraisal value, which means you get more out of your purchase.
With today’s energy codes, a newly built home in Minnesota is more efficient than ever. Add in advancements in building science and new energy products, and you can be sure that all the new homes you’ll find on the Parade of Homes will save you energy dollars over virtually all older homes.
Designated Green Path Builders have met qualifications, including a commitment to energy test a minimum of 75% of their new single-family homes and to attend annual training on green building. These builders are considered industry leaders in energy efficient residential home construction and we invite you to reach out to them to learn more. View the list of 2023 Designated Green Path Builders >
On the Spring Parade of Homes, look for the Green Path logo on home listings. These homes have been energy tested by an independent third-party rater. View Green Path Certified Homes >
Since 1968, Housing First Minnesota has presented the Reggie Award℠, which recognizes excellence in design and construction of homes in the Parade of Homes. The Trillium Awards honor the associates and trade partners for their collaboration with these award-winning builders.
BATC-Housing First Minnesota hosted the annual BIG (Building Industry Gala) Night on Oct. 25, 2018. Over 900 attendees joined together to celebrate the home building and remodeling industry and to find out which homes from the Fall Parade of Homes were judged the best — the best design, construction quality and value.
It’s cold, the snow is flying, and you’re getting cabin fever…so maybe now is just the right time to call your remodeler. It may seem counter-intuitive, but there are plenty of reasons to give your home a refresh in the dead of winter. Here are five winter renovation projects to consider when the temperature drops.
