Energy Savings

Scott Felder Homes

Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

Scott Felder Homes tests every home we build for energy efficiency. There is NO batch testing (or sampling) for energy certification. Other builders may use the same test results for up to five homes, which means your home may not have been tested. We give you peace of mind that your individual home has been tested by a third party, certified home energy auditor.

Outside of a mortgage loan, the highest cost of homeownership is energy. A home that is energy tested has several benefits, including:

Reducing energy consumption due to air leakage
Avoiding moisture condensation problems
Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from the outdoors
Confirming the home’s air quality is not contaminated by indoor air pollution

Scott Felder Homes confirms you have an energy-efficient home using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Energy Test. The Residential Energy Savings Network (RESNET) HERS index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured, and is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.

The HERS Index

The HERS Index is a scoring system in which a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference Home (based on the 2009 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. A home with a HERS Index of 80 is 20% more energy efficient.

Much like checking the miles per gallon rating on a car before purchasing, smart homebuyers should examine the HERS Index score to determine a home’s energy efficiency before buying.

How To Determine The HERS Index For A Home

Two tests are conducted at different stages of construction and are completed by a third party, certified home energy auditor:

Thermal Bypass Inspection

This test is completed before the house is sheetrocked. Its primary purpose is to ensure the “building envelope” of a home is tight. This test provides standards for sealing and insulation installation practices. The guiding principle of the Thermal Bypass checklist seeks to eliminate gaps, voids, or compression that would allow for heat to enter or leave the home (adding to the heating load).

Blower Door Test

This test is done at the end of construction to calculate air leakage. A technician depressurizes the home with a blower sealed into a doorway, measuring how much air can pass through the “building envelope.” If the house is too leaky, a builder can take corrective steps to tighten the structure.

This past year my wife and I embarked on building our first home. During our initial meeting with Keith at Rough Hollow, he made us feel comfortable and gave us a realistic idea of that the process would entail. As we contracted to build the house Keith was completely engaged, providing continual guidance and support. When we had questions or wanted to discuss change orders our emails, texts or calls were immediately addressed. Keith always took care of the big items, but his attention to the little things that most would overlook made our experience unforgettable. It is this commitment that makes it easy for us to recommend Keith and Scott Felder Homes to friends.

Anthony T.

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