How Green is Green?  Understanding your HERS Index

One reason “green” building is making headlines is because the efficiency ratings of homes has become standardized and measurable.   There are several certifications that a home, new or existing, can obtain primarily based on its HERS rating.

A HERS Index of 100 represents the energy use of the “American Standard Building” and an Index of 0 (zero) indicates that the Proposed Building uses no net purchased energy (a Zero Energy Building). A set of rater recommendations for cost-effective improvements that can be achieved by the Rated Building is also produced
Green Certifications for homes use this HERS Index in their own rating systems. 

LEED for Homes is the certification obtained through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which began their pilot program in 2005 and publicly launched their rating system in November 2007.   LEED homes have a tiered level of certifications ranging from Certified to Platinum.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the “Standard”, reflecting a HERS Index of 85 or below.

Green Built North Texas is the construction protocol initiated by the Home Builder’s Association and many North Texas new construction homes have been built to this standard over the last several years and typically have a HERS Index in the low 80’s or below.  Similar standards are expected to be adopted on a statewide level and the National Green Built Program (NGBP) is the newest of the national certification programs, launching just this year.

Learn more about Green building and the certification programs through our brand new education initiative,  the National Association of REALTORS Green Designation.  dfwREALTORS is the first local association in the nation to offer this new program.

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