About Home Energy Ratings and Mortgages
Introduction to Home Energy Ratings and Energy Mortgages
Home Energy Ratings
Home energy ratings provide a standard measurement of a home’s energy efficiency. Ratings are used for both and new and existing homes. In new homes rating often verify energy performance for the ENERGY STAR homes program, energy efficient mortgages, and energy code compliance. Homeowners who want to upgrade the home’s energy efficiency can use the energy rating to evaluate and pinpoint specific, cost-effective improvements. For existing homes, homeowners can receive a report listing cost-effective options for improving the home’s energy rating. An energy rating allows a homebuyer to easily compare the energy performance of the homes being considered.
There are two types of ratings:
- Projected ratings – Ratings performed prior to the construction of a home or prior to the installation of energy improvements to an existing home.
- Confirmed ratings – Ratings completed using data gathered from an on-site inspection, which could include performance testing of the home.
Confirmed ratings involve an on-site inspection of a home by a residential energy efficiency professional, a home energy rater. Home energy raters are trained and certified by a RESNET accredited home energy rater training provider.
The home energy rater reviews the home to identify its energy characteristics, such as insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-window ratios, the heating and cooling system efficiency, the solar orientation of the home, and the water heating system. Performance testing, such as a blower door test for air leakage and duct leakage, is usually part of the rating.
The data gathered by the home energy rater is entered into a RESNET accredited computer program and translated into rating score. The home receives a score between 1 and 100, depending on its relative efficiency. An estimate of the home’s energy costs is also provided in the report. The home’s energy rating is then equated to a Star rating ranging from one star for a very inefficient home to five stars for a highly efficient home.
Unlike an energy audit or a weatherization assessment, a home energy rating is a recognized tool in the mortgage industry. Home energy ratings can be used in a variety of ways in the housing industry. The star and the rating score provide an easily understandable means to compare more efficient homes by their relative energy efficiency, since a rating quantifies the energy performance of a home.
© 2005 Residential Energy Services Network
P.O. Box 4561, Oceanside, CA 92052-4561, (760) 806-3448
Send Comments, Questions or Suggestions to: info@natresnet.org
Energy Efficiency Calculator:
|
The energy calculator helps provide awareness of where and how your energy dollars are spent |
|
|
|
Combined with the energy saving tips, you can plan ways to lower your electrical expenses. |
|
|
|
To begin: |
|
|
|
1. Enter your electrical cost in the following box. If no number is entered, the default will be .15/kWh |
$0.15 |
|
|
|
2. Enter your gas cost in the following box. If no number is entered, the default will be .6230/therm |
$0.6230 |
|
|
|
3. Fill in empty boxes below as appropriate. (May take about 15 minutes, but well worth the time.) |
|
|
|
Cooling (Electric) |
Avg. kW per hour used |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
Avg. Rate Per kWh |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Central Air Conditioner, 3 Ton, average efficiency |
4.8 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Central Air Conditioner, 4 Ton, average efficiency |
6.4 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Central Air Conditioner, 4 Ton, 12 SEER |
4.4 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
1,100-Watt Room Air Conditioner |
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
$0.15 |
|
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Evaporative Cooler or Whole House Fan (.5 Horsepower) |
0.5 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Ceiling Fan or Oscillating Fan (Medium Speed) |
0.035 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Heating (Electric) |
Avg. kW per hour used |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
Avg. Rate Per kWh |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Heat Pump (1,500 sq. ft. home, back-up heat off) |
4.8 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
1,500 Watt Portable Heater |
1.5 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Resistance Heating (6-foot baseboard, 250 watts/ft) |
1.5 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Heating (Gas) |
Avg. Therms Per Hour |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
Avg. Rate Per Therm |
X |
Avg. monthly Pilot Light Costs |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Wall or Floor Heater |
0.35 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.6230 |
X |
1.32 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Central Furnace (100,000 BTU) |
1 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.6230 |
X |
2.65 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Water Heating (Electric)
Enter number people in your household |
Avg kWh used per person per month |
X |
People in household Enter number of people |
X |
Avg kWh per month (standby losses) |
X |
Avg. Rate per kWh |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Water Heater with blanket |
102 |
X |
|
+ |
59 |
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$8.85 |
|
|
|
If you do not have an electric water heater, change "your Avg. Cost Per Month" box to "$0.00". |
|
|
|
Water Heating (Gas)
enter number of people in your household |
Avg. Therms used per person per month |
X |
People in household Enter number of people |
X |
Avg. Therms per month |
X |
Avg Rate Per Therm |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Water Heater with blanket |
5 |
X |
|
+ |
6.2 |
X |
$0.6230 |
= |
$3.12 |
|
|
|
If you do not have a gas water heater, change "your Avg. Cost Per Month" box to "$0.00". |
|
|
|
Laundry |
Avg. Cost per load |
X |
Loads Per Month |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Washing Machine with electric-heated water (cold/cold) |
0.05 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Washing Machine with electric-heated water (hot/warm) |
0.30 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Washing Machine with electric-heated water (warm/cold) |
0.82 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Washing Machine with gas-heated water (cold/cold) |
0.05 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Washing Machine with gas-heated water (hot/warm) |
0.12 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Washing Machine with gas-heated water (warm/cold) |
0.30 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Electric Dryer |
0.40 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Gas Dryer |
0.13 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Kitchen (Dishwasher) |
Avg. Cost per load |
X |
Loads Per Month |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Dishwasher with electric heated water (normal load) |
0.52 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Dishwasher with electric heated water (energy saver load) |
0.46 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Dishwasher with gas heated water (normal load) |
0.12 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Dishwasher with gas heated water (energy saver load) |
0.06 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Kitchen Electric |
Avg. cost per month |
X |
How many do you have in your home |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
18 cubic foot frost-free Refrigerator (pre-1992 model) |
15.60 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
15 cubic foot manual defrost Freezer (pre-1992 model) |
11.70 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
19 cubic foot frost-free refrigerator ( 1992 model or later) |
9.49 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
24 cubic foot frost-free Refrigerator (1992 model or later) |
12.74 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Kitchen (Electric) |
Avg. kW per hour used |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
Avg. Rate Per kWh |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Oven |
2.3 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Range Top Burner |
1.25 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Microwave oven |
1.5 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Toaster oven |
1.2 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Portable broiler |
1.5 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Deep fryer 1 |
1 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Electric frying pan |
1 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Kitchen (Electric) |
Avg. cost per use |
X |
Times used per month |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Coffee maker |
0.02 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
2-slice toaster |
0.01 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Waffle iron |
0.05 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Kitchen (Gas) |
Avg. Therms Per Hour |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
Avg. Rate Per Therm |
X |
Avg. monthly Pilot Light Costs |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Oven |
0.16 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.6230 |
X |
1.55 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Range Top Burner |
0.09 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.6230 |
X |
1.55 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Home Office (Electric) |
Avg. kW per hour used |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
Avg. Rate Per kWh |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Personal Computer |
0.08 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Color Monitor |
0.08 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
LCD Monitor |
0.016 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Laser Printer (on but idle) |
0.05 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Laser Printer (printing) |
0.18 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Ink Jet Printer |
0.02 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Small Photocopier (standby) |
0.06 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Small Photocopier (copying) |
1.5 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Fax Machine (standby) |
0.02 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Fax Machine (active) |
0.1 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Entertainment (Electric) |
Avg. kW per hour used |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
Avg. Rate Per kWh |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
27 inch Color Television |
0.1 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
25-watt VCR |
0.02 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
53 Inch projection TV |
0.2 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
$0.15 |
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Lighting (Electric) |
Avg. cost per hour used |
X |
Hours Used Per Day |
X |
Days Used Per Month |
X |
How many do you have? |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
22-watt Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb |
0.00308 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
100-Watt Incandescent Light Bulb |
0.014 |
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Miscellaneous Household (Electric) |
Avg. cost per Use |
X |
How many uses per month? |
X |
How many of these do you have? |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Electric Blanket (twin) |
0.07 |
X |
|
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Electric Blanket (double/queen) |
0.10 |
X |
|
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Electric Blanket (king) |
0.13 |
X |
|
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Vacuum cleaner |
0.10 |
X |
|
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Hair Dryer |
0.05 |
X |
|
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Miscellaneous Household (Electric) |
Avg. Cost per month |
X |
How many of these do you have? |
= |
Your Avg. Cost Per Month |
|
|
|
Water bed heater (twin/full) |
9.75 |
X |
|
|
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Water bed heater (queen/king) |
22.75 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
20-gallon aquarium w/heater |
7.56 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
55-gallon aquarium w/heater |
20.38 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Digital clock |
0.40 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Night light |
0.19 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Answering machine |
0.43 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
Alarm or Sprinkler Timer |
1.29 |
X |
|
= |
$0.00 |
|
|