Survey Vs Assessment Vs Rating

What is the Difference between an Energy Rating - An Energy Assessment and an Energy Survey?

What’s an Energy Rating?

To many people, a home energy audit (also called an energy assessment) and an energy rating sound pretty much like the same thing but they’re not. An energy rating provides a comparative analysis on how energy efficient your home is when compared to other similar homes.

An energy rating will generate a HERS Index score for your home, based upon its energy performance. The Home Energy Rating System or HERS was developed by RESNET and is the nationally recognized system for calculating how energy efficient a home is. The lower the HERS Index score, the more energy efficient the home.

Why is an Energy Rating Important?

It helps you understand how energy efficient your home is when compared to others.

The Energy Rating gives you a projected idea of the energy costs of your home

An energy rating is also a recognized tool in the mortgage industry

What is an Energy Assessment for?

The purpose of a home energy assessment, also known as an energy audit, is to pinpoint where and how a home is losing energy, which systems are working inefficiently and what cost effective measures can be put in place to rectify the situation.

Certified RESNET Home Energy Professionals, like Colorado Energy Analysts, offer three different types of energy surveys or assessments, varying in scope, technology used and depth:

What is a Home Energy Survey?

A Home Energy Survey is a visual inspection that doesn’t include the use of diagnostic testing equipment. Its purpose is to assess the general energy performance of an existing home including:

Building envelope features (windows, doors, insulation, ducts) and ages

Heating, cooling and ventilation equipment types, characteristics and ages

Appliance and lighting characteristics

Comfort complaints

Visible moisture issues

Visible health and safety issues

As a RESNET Home Energy Survey Professional (HESP) we will request a review of utility use and billing history to better understand potential opportunities for savings. A report of the complete assessment is provided, including basic recommendations for improving the home’s energy efficiency, as well as low-cost, do-it-yourself tasks. Also included is information on relevant utility-based programs to encourage the homeowner to take action. A Home Energy Survey takes approximately one hour to complete.

What is a Building Performance Assessment?

A Building Performance Assessment includes everything in the Home Energy Survey, along with diagnostic testing using specialized equipment such as a blower door test, duct leakage tester, combustion analyzer and infrared camera to determine:

The amount and location of air leaks in the building envelope

The amount of leakage from HVAC distribution ducts

The effectiveness of insulation inside walls and ceilings

Any existing or potential combustion safety issues

As a Certified Building Performance Auditor (BPA) we conduct a whole-house evaluation and performs computer software analysis to identify and prioritize proposed treatments for improvement. A detailed report will provide suitable retrofit recommendations and specifications, and direct the homeowner to suitable Certified Green Professional, CGP  professional qualified energy contractors who can perform the work. A Building Performance Assessment takes 3-4 hours depending on the size of your home.

What is a Comprehensive HERS Rating?

A Comprehensive HERS Rating is the most in-depth performance assessment of an existing home. It consists of everything included in the Building Performance Assessment, and in addition, provides a computerized simulation analysis utilizing RESNET Accredited Rating Software to calculate a rating score on the HERS Index. The report will also contain a cost/benefit analysis for the recommended improvements and expected return on investment. Comprehensive HERS Ratings of existing homes will be required to qualify loan applicants for certain federally sponsored energy mortgage products.

Colorado Energy Analysts is ready to work with you and your home seller or home buyer to discuss how the house can be improved and perform better and thus increase the value to the home buyer.