Tips To Lower Your Home’s HERS Score
Did you know that your home has a score that reflects energy performance in your house? It is known as the Home Energy Rating System, A.K.A. HERS. In this rating system, the lower the score, the better. On the scale, 0 indicates a zero-energy home. Positive energy homes are displayed as negative scores, and homes that have a higher rate will have a number that can range anywhere from 0 to 150. Each individual number represents a one percent shift in energy efficiency.

Heating, cooling, and water heating can be expensive aspects of being a homeowner. Since a lower HERS score means better energy performance throughout your home, it also means lower utility costs, therefore, saving you money. So, what can you do to lower your home’s HERS score?

Examine Your Weatherford Home to Determine Your HERS Score
Making your home more energy-efficient depends on how energy efficient it already is. The age of your home is often another factor, since older homes tend to have a higher HERS score. To determine what needs to be done to achieve a lower HERS score, examine your home. Some things to consider include:

  • Do the windows and doors have air leaks?
  • What type of light bulbs do you use?
  • What is the insulation like in your home?
  • Are your appliances running efficiently?

These are all questions that should be taken into consideration in efforts to lower your HERS score. Making the necessary changes like replacing cracked or broken windows and switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs can go a long way in helping. Although adding proper and high performing insulation to your home can be expensive, it is a one-time cost that pays off in the long run due to the amount of energy and money it ultimately saves by lowering your utility bills. New Weatherford homes will generally have a lower HERS score than those built decades ago.

Your Appliances Play a Part in Your HERS Score
You have more than likely seen a star emblem on many household appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines. The star on these products means that the product is ENERGY STAR qualified. ENERGY STAR products are designed to use less power than standard products to operate efficiently. Upgrading your household appliances to ENERGY STAR products is a guaranteed way to lower energy usage, therefore, lowering your home’s HERS score.

Another important aspect is using Smart Home Technology throughout your home. This can include things like a Smart thermostat and automatic lighting.

Every new home in Weatherford that Silver Leaf builds utilizes smart home technology, appliances, and energy-efficient building materials. These all work together to lower your home’s HERS score and your energy costs.

If you would like to learn more about how Weatherford homes equipped with smart home technology and built with energy-efficient materials can lower your HERS Score, reach out to Silver Leaf Homes.