Vibe Spring2025 - Flipbook - Page 27
Design
ENERGY STANDARDS
There are three widely recognized energy standards for home building: passive house, LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
and HERSÒ (Home Energy Rating System). Passive
house, a system originating in Germany, has the
most rigorous standards. Although the standards
are open source, the “Certified Passive House” designation requires extensive documentation by an
accredited passive house expert. The time and cost
to achieve the certification are not worth it to most
homeowners. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green
Building Council, is the most widely used energy
rating system in the world. It is primarily used for
large commercial, institutional, and multi-family
residential buildings.
The HERS Index is a nationally recognized system
for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy
performance which has been adopted by the
US Department of Energy. To qualify a certified
HERS rater inspects the home (including a blower
door test) and rates the house on a sliding scale
which gives the homeowner an indication of how
energy efficient their home is in comparison to
other homes. A typical home built to 2006 energy
efficiency standards scores 100 in the HERS Index.
A home with a HERS Index score of 70 is 30% more
energy efficient than a standard new home; a
score of 130 is 30% less efficient than a standard
new home. A HERS Index score can be used by
homeowners to apply for state and federal tax
credits, and they are also beginning to be used by
real estate agents to compare properties. The cost
of a certified HERS rating is reasonable, and it can
provide tangible benefits.
Spring 2025
Landscape Design, Construction,
Horticultural Services and Consulting
603.503.0581
landcraftne@gmail.com
@landcraftne
landcraftne.com
Dream it, Design it, Install it, Enjoy it!
COUNTRY CABINETS, ETC.
95 E Conway Rd., Center Conway, NH
(603) 356-5766 • www.countrycabinetsetc.com
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