HERS HERS Index Scoring 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which energy end-uses are included in the HERS Index calculation?
- Heating, cooling, and water heating only
- Heating, cooling, water heating, lighting, and plug loads only
- Heating, cooling, water heating, and RESNET-defined major appliances (Correct answer)
- All energy use including consumer electronics and cooking appliances
Correct answer: Heating, cooling, water heating, and RESNET-defined major appliances
The HERS Index includes heating, cooling, domestic hot water, and RESNET-defined major appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers/dryers.
Question 2: What HERS Index score must a home achieve to qualify for the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3.2 program (new construction)?
- HERS 60 or below
- HERS 57 or below depending on climate zone (Correct answer)
- Any score below 100
- HERS 45 or below
Correct answer: HERS 57 or below depending on climate zone
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3.2 requires a HERS Index of 57 or below, with the exact threshold varying by climate zone.
Question 3: How does building envelope air leakage affect the HERS Index score?
- Higher air leakage always improves the HERS score by increasing ventilation
- Higher air leakage raises the HERS score by increasing energy loads for heating and cooling (Correct answer)
- Air leakage has no impact on the HERS Index calculation
- Lower air leakage raises the HERS score due to increased mechanical ventilation needs
Correct answer: Higher air leakage raises the HERS score by increasing energy loads for heating and cooling
Higher air leakage increases heating and cooling energy loads, which raises the HERS Index score and indicates worse energy performance.
Question 4: In the HERS rating system, what does a Projected Rating (PR) represent?
- A rating based on utility bill analysis
- A rating based on design plans before construction is complete (Correct answer)
- A rating after all on-site testing is finished
- A rating that has been confirmed by a Quality Assurance Designee
Correct answer: A rating based on design plans before construction is complete
A Projected Rating is based on building plans and specifications before or during construction, prior to final on-site verification testing.
Question 5: Which climate variable is accounted for when calculating the HERS reference home's energy use?
- National average weather data only
- The specific climate zone where the rated home is located (Correct answer)
- The historic 50-year average weather for the entire US
- Only heating degree days, not cooling degree days
Correct answer: The specific climate zone where the rated home is located
The HERS reference home uses the same climate zone and weather data as the rated home, ensuring a fair comparison in that specific location.
Question 6: What is the approximate HERS Index range for a typical new home built to the 2009 IECC energy code?
- HERS 130–150
- HERS 85–100 (Correct answer)
- HERS 50–60
- HERS 20–30
Correct answer: HERS 85–100
Homes built to the 2009 IECC typically score in the HERS 85–100 range, reflecting modest efficiency improvements over the HERS reference home.
Question 7: When on-site duct leakage testing cannot be performed because ducts are inaccessible, RESNET standards allow raters to use:
- An assumed duct leakage value specified by RESNET (Correct answer)
- No duct leakage credit; the home automatically fails
- The builder's stated duct leakage value without verification
- A blower door test result as a proxy for duct leakage
Correct answer: An assumed duct leakage value specified by RESNET
RESNET standards permit raters to use default assumed duct leakage values when ducts are inaccessible and testing cannot be completed.
HERS HERS Index Scoring 3
Which energy end-uses are included in the HERS Index calculation?