A Home Energy Score rates a house’s energy efficiency on a scale of 1 to 10. It helps homeowners and renters estimate energy costs and identify cost-effective improvements based on the home’s physical attributes.
- Scores of 6-10 indicate good efficiency.
- The score translates into actual energy usage and costs for comparison purposes.
- Investments in efficiency improvements can be reflected in home listings.
Improving Home Energy Efficiency
To improve a low score, start with no-cost changes like turning off lights and using programmable thermostats. Consider an energy audit to identify problem areas and implement recommended improvements.
Understanding Energy Ratings
- A rating of 50 indicates average energy performance, while a rating of 75 or more indicates best performance.
- HERS ratings provide predictions for energy use and costs, comparing a home’s efficiency to a reference home.
- Models with higher ratings consume less energy, with each additional plus (+) indicating 10% greater efficiency.
- Thermal efficiency in Australia is rated from 1 to 10 under NatHERS, focusing on temperature regulation.
Simple changes like insulation, better windows, shading, and appliance upgrades can significantly increase efficiency and reduce energy bills.