The Residential Energy Services Network, or RESNET, recently published findings from a new study conducted by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency about how utilities are encouraging the growth of energy efficiency in new home construction, largely by requiring a HERS score.

Many new construction energy efficiency programs provide financial incentives to builders or consumers who have incorporated specific measures in their home. These measures include insulation, windows, ducts, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, and appliances.

The study found that a majority of these programs rely on HERS ratings for compliance verification. Some of these programs even require an impressive HERS Index score of 65 or lower to show eligibility in the program.

The report is based on 71 utility programs located in 36 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Those utilities with a HERS Index requirement include:

• Alabama Power
• Alliant Energy – Iowa
• Ameren Missouri
• Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
• Berkshire Gas
• Cape Light Compact
• Columbia Gas of Massachusetts
• Columbia Gas of Ohio
• Connecticut Natural Gas
• Duke Energy
• Efficiency Vermont
• Eversource – Eastern Massachusetts
• Eversource – New Hampshire
• Eversource – Western Massachusetts
• Georgia Power
• Gulf Power
• Liberty Utilities
• MidAmerican Energy – Iowa
• National Grid – Massachusetts
• National Grid – Rhode Island
• New Hampshire Electric Co-op
• New Jersey Natural Gas
• New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program
• PECO
• Questar Gas – Utah
• Questar Gas – Wyoming
• Salt River Project
• Southwest Gas – Arizona
• Unitil – New Hampshire
• Vermont Gas
• Xcel Energy

To learn more about becoming a certified HERS Rater and joining this growing industry, please visit our RESNET HERS Rater Training page or call us at (800) 460-2575.