HERS Index and Ratings 2

Question 1

A home receives a HERS Index of 0. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The home uses no net energy on an annual basis

Answer

The home is 100% more efficient than the reference home

Answer

The home fails minimum code requirements

Answer

The home has no HVAC system installed

Question 2

Which of the following scenarios would most likely INCREASE a home's HERS Index score?

Accepted Answer

Increasing duct leakage from 4% to 10%

Answer

Adding solar photovoltaic panels

Answer

Replacing single-pane windows with double-pane

Answer

Upgrading to a higher-efficiency heat pump

Question 3

When a HERS rater upgrades a home's insulation from R-11 to R-19 in the walls, what is the expected effect on the HERS Index?

Accepted Answer

The HERS Index decreases

Answer

The HERS Index increases slightly

Answer

The HERS Index is unaffected by wall insulation

Answer

The HERS Index doubles

Question 4

The HERS reference home is set to an index of 100 and is modeled based on which standard?

Accepted Answer

RESNET/ICC 301 standard

Answer

ASHRAE 90.1-2013

Answer

IECC 2006

Answer

DOE Building America guidelines

Question 5

A new home scores a HERS 55 and its neighbor scores a HERS 85. Approximately how much more energy efficient is the first home?

Accepted Answer

About 30% more efficient

Answer

About 55% more efficient

Answer

About 85% more efficient

Answer

Exactly twice as efficient

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of the projected HERS rating versus the confirmed HERS rating?

Accepted Answer

Projected is issued before construction; confirmed is issued after final inspections and testing

Answer

Projected is used for tax credits; confirmed is used for financing

Answer

Projected covers HVAC only; confirmed covers the whole building envelope

Answer

Projected applies to existing homes; confirmed applies to new construction only

Question 7

Which component of the HERS rating accounts for mechanical ventilation energy use?

Accepted Answer

It is part of the total annual energy consumption factored into the index

Answer

It is excluded from HERS calculations entirely

Answer

It is included under the lights and appliances end use

Answer

It is only counted if ventilation airflow exceeds ASHRAE 62.2 minimums