March 17, 2017

As reported on NAHBNow.com, the National Association of Home Builders blog, a new partnership between the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and the Appraisal Institute plans to include Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores in appraisals. This inclusion will allow consumers to better gauge a home’s energy efficiency. Builders may also be more encouraged to add high-performance features.

In this partnership, RESNET’s database of HERS-rated homes will be available to the Appraisal Institute in states where the rating system is prevalent, such as Texas. The HERS score will be added as a green building certification, similar to the ICC-ASHRAE 700 National Green Building Standard.

The inclusion of the HERS score should help in the valuation of residential energy improvements. These enhancements are not always recognized in the appraisal process and can be a hurdle to financing green features.

Photo: 2016 NAHB Best in Green Single-Family Custom Home Award Winner, Sloane Moderne, Orlando, Fla. Submitted by Phil Kean Design Group and photography by Uneek Luxury Tours, LLC