California Center for Sustainable Energy

What is a Whole-House Home Energy Rating?

Whole-House Home Energy Ratings are very similar to the home performance assessment performed by Participating Contractors in Energy Upgrade California™ during both test-in and test-out. In addition to air leakage, duct leakage and combustion safety testing, Home Energy Ratings include generation of a home energy score that allows homeowners to compare their home’s energy performance to current energy code standards and other homes with Home Energy Ratings. Below is an illustration of a Home Energy Rating certificate.

The lower the score, the more energy efficient the home. New homes built to current California Title 24 energy standards score 100, while homes that have undergone energy efficiency improvements typically score around 100. Zero net energy homes, or homes that create as much onsite energy as they use on an annual basis, score zero.

Home Energy Raters provide their customers with an independent, third-party report regarding the home’s existing conditions, along with suggestions for improving efficiency from a whole house perspective. During the test-in for Energy Upgrade California™, Home Energy Raters are able to provide homeowners with a scope of work that can be bid out to Energy Upgrade California Participating Contractors to secure competitive pricing on energy upgrades. Home Energy Raters are also available to act as an advisor to the homeowner as they choose and begin to work with a Participating Contractor to receive energy upgrades.

What is HERS or a HERS Rater?

HERS stands for the Home Energy Rating System, and HERS II represents the second, more comprehensive version of HERS administered by the California Energy Commission and overseen and implemented by approved providers throughout the state.

HERS II Raters (aka Home Energy Raters) are independent, third-party advisors who are trained to diagnose and assess home energy performance from a “house as a system” or “whole house” perspective.

How much do Home Energy Ratings cost?

The price of a Home Energy Rating varies according to home characteristics and the rater you choose.  Contact a Participating Energy Upgrade Rater (see the list below) for specific pricing information.

Who are the Participating Energy Upgrade Raters?

I’m a Rater – How do I get on this list?

Click here to become a Participating Energy Upgrade Rater with CCSE.