HERS® Ratings Explained

The HERS® Index, or Home Energy Rating System, is how a home's energy efficiency is measured.  The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) is responsible for creating and maintaining training and national standards for ratings and industry professionals.  Obtaining a HERS rating can help you determine if you need to make changes to improve your home's energy efficiency, and a good rating can help you get more money when you resell.

As in the game of golf, the lower the number, the better the performance.  A standard new home is given a score of 100.  Each point decrease corresponds to a 1% reduction in energy consumption.  For instance, a home that receives a score of 70 would be 30% more efficient than a new home.  A typical resale home usually scores around 130, or 30% less energy efficient than a new home.

To calculate a home's HERS Score, a certified RESNET Rater looks at many factors, including exterior walls, ceilings and roofs, floors, attics and crawlspaces, windows and doors, HVAC systems and ductwork.  He will conduct several tests to look for issues such as air leaks and the effectiveness of insulation, and compares the data to a "reference home" - a designed model home the same size and shape of your home.

If you'd like to have your home rated, you can find an accredited HERS Provider HERE.

If you're looking at financing energy performance improvements either for your existing home or one you are considering purchasing, energy mortgages can help finance the upgrades using the monthly energy savings.  Tax credits for certain home improvements also exist that can provide significant savings on your annual return.  Need to speak to a mortgage lender or accountant to find the best approach for your situation?  Give me a call, I know a guy.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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The Lowdown on DELO

DELO, or Downtown East Louisville, is an urban infill project on the site of an old concrete batch plant, adjacent to the train tracks between Griffith and South Streets.

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244 townhouses and condos are planned within the development, as well as 15,000 sqft of commercial and office space.  The atmosphere is intended to be open and balanced, with pedestrians, bicycles, cars, retailers, residents and renters all sharing the same space with walkability to downtown's restaurants and shops.

The site was originally going to include a FasTracks train station, which may remain as part of the final plan in the hopes that future decades may still bring the commuter rail through DELO.

The developers promise to feature green and/or LEED construction standards and recycled materials whenever possible.  The preliminary plans have been submitted to the city, who could give final approval as early as April for a May start.

Residents of Louisville have voiced concerns over the impact DELO and other potential developments will have on the city, specifically on enrollment at Louisville Elementary and Middle School.  Discussion over short- and long-term options for rapid growth included continued restrictions on open enrollment, portable classrooms and even boundary changes.  For more specifics, click HERE for recent City Council meeting summaries and minutes.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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