Buying a Home? Look for the HERS Rating
Last Updated: Apr 7, 2025Every year the Parade of Homes in the Twin Cities showcases nearly 400 new homes spread throughout a seven-county metropolitan area.
For the past few years, more than two-thirds of the properties on display carry a “HERS” rating that lets potential buyers know how efficiently the homes operate. Builders believe having the ratings helps sell homes, and buyers have become aware enough to ask for them.
More than half the new homes annually in Minnesota get rated among the country’s highest percentages. (Massachusetts leads with 71 percent of new homes being ratings.) The national index boasts that more than 2.6 million homes across the country carry HERS’ evaluations, and numbers grow every day.
Why Buy a HERS Rated Home?
HERS rated homes inform people better so that they can save on heating and cooling. And they have higher resale values.
Homeowners have the added confidence of knowing a national rating system has judged the efficiency of their homes. If the home achieves a low score, they will have peace of mind knowing that their homes’ carbon footprint is much less than other homeowners, too.
In nearly every case, the owners of HERS homes will be empowered to consume less energy – and emitting less carbon through heating and cooling – than most other American households.
HERS homes have higher appraisals and sell for higher prices than non-HERS homes. One North Carolina study showed a HERS home selling for 9.5 percent more on average.
Table of Contents
- What Is HERS?
- How Is the HERS Rating Determined?
- How Can A High HERS Score Be Achieved?
- How Does HERS Relate To Appliances?
- How Do Windows Affect the HERS Rating?
- How Does Insulation Affect the HERS Rating?
- Does An HVAC System Affect the HERS Rating?
- How Does Lighting Affect the HERS Rating?
How Can A High HERS Score Be Achieved?
To get the highest score possible new home buyers should consider an “energy smart builder.” The HERS website lists dozens of them. But the list is hardly inclusive. Buyers speaking to builders must express their desire for an energy-efficient home. Any builder can build a low HERS rated home with little effort - they can even attain net-zero!
Does An HVAC System Affect the HERS Rating?
An efficient heating system and a proper mechanical ventilation system go a long way in lowering your energy usage. Insulating and sealing the home should be tackled first and typically provide for more significant gains. Insulating and air sealing at the outset and very liberally will also allow you to spec a smaller heating and cooling system for your home. Look for electric alternatives over gas, like air or ground source heat pumps - all-electric space and water heat pumps now give dwellings lower (better) HERS ratings.
Wrap-up
A HERS rating should help if you’re building, buying, or selling a home. For homeowners wanting a more sustainable home, the score provides proof that their home operates efficiently. For buyers looking for a more sustainable home, the rating will help guide their purchase.
For sellers, HERS is relatively novel yet will likely give them a chance at receiving a better offer, even if their scores won’t typically reach those of new homes. The HERS Index represents the future for homeowners seeking a residence with low energy bills.
Frank Jossi
Based in St. Paul, Frank Jossi is a journalist, editor and content strategist. He covers clean energy in Minnesota for Midwest Energy News and writes frequently for Finance & Commerce. His work has appeared in more than 70 local, national and international publications.
