The E-Star Energy Rating. An E-Star Energy Rating gives each home a score expressed on a scale from 0 to 100 and from one to five stars. As a uniform measure of residential energy performance, an E-Star Energy Rating serves as a miles-per-gallon sticker for homes. In addition to the energy efficiency score, E-Star Energy Ratings include property-specific recommendations for cost-effective energy improvements. These recommendations help customers select and prioritize potential home improvement projects. E-Star Energy Ratings can be performed on new and existing homes of almost every construction type and style.

Each E-Star Energy Rating includes a thorough, on-site evaluation of a home's energy features. A Rater certified by the E-Star program spends several hours in the home collecting data about the thermal performance of the building envelope, the solar orientation of the structure, and the efficiency of the mechanical system. The Rater gathers more than 200 pieces of data such as the R-values of insulation and windows and the delivery efficiency of space and hot water heating systems. In addition, the tightness of a home against infiltration from unconditioned air is quantified in each E-Star Energy Rating through a a blower door test. Finally, the data is sent through proprietary E-Star software that calculates the energy efficiency of the home as a system. The result of the rating is an Energy Rating that provides the 0-to-100 score, efficiency levels of the major aspects of the home, and, in the case of existing homes, recommendations about how efficiency levels can be increased.

E-Star Energy Raters. Individuals who choose to become E-Star Energy Raters must have several years of experience in the home-building, real estate, or energy industries. To become an Energy Rater, an individual attends a rigorous training course that includes supervised, hands-on work in the field. Raters maintain their certification from the E-Star program by keeping up to date on the latest developments in construction techniques and energy-efficiency evaluation practices. On-staff technical experts continually review the work of Raters. A thorough review of the business practices and technical competency of each Rater is done on an annual basis.

Rating Cost. Since E-Star Raters are independent contractors, and because each house is a little different, the charges for home energy ratings vary. Most E-Star Raters, however, charge from approximately $200 to $300 to produce a rating on a home.

Types of Ratings. Homeowners, homebuyers, and builders use information from the E-Star home energy rating report to improve the energy efficiency of homes. The E-Star program offers four types of energy ratings to meet the needs and objectives of different clients.

As-Is Ratings. As-Is ratings are conducted on homes of any age that are not owned by a builder. An As-Is rating evaluates a house in its current condition and makes property-specific recommendations for cost-effective energy improvements. Homeowners use the report produced from As-Is ratings to understand the level of energy efficiency in their home. Of special interest is the section that identifies potential improvements and the effect these would have on utility bills. This information shows homeowners the most cost-effective improvements that can be undertaken.

Post-Improvement Ratings. Post-Improvement ratings are conducted on a home of any age after modifications to increase energy efficiency have been completed. A Post-Improvement rating can be used by homeowners to verify the effectiveness of work performed. In addition, Post-Improvement ratings may be required in conjunction with an Energy Improvement Mortgage.

From-Plans Ratings. From-Plans ratings are conducted when a Rater reviews a builder’s plans and specifications before construction takes place From-Plans ratings can show builders (and/or homebuyers) how alternative packages of upgrades can affect the energy performance of a home.

Final As-Built. Raters conduct final As-Built ratings on a newly constructed home before it is sold. Final As-Built ratings compare the energy efficiency of the completed home with the energy efficiency of the same home built to minimum state building code practices. Builders use Final As-Built ratings to demonstrate the energy efficiency of their homes to buyers. Homebuyers may use such ratings to qualify for Energy Efficient Mortgages.

New Home or Existing Home Ratings. Both new homes and existing homes can be rated to determine a home’s energy efficiency and determine opportunities for improvement.

New Homes and Energy Ratings. It comes as a surprise to most homebuyers that a newly built home is not necessarily energy-efficient. In fact, a home built exactly to a local government’s building code (if such a code even has an energy-efficiency component in it) is the least efficient home that can be legally constructed. Energy-efficient builders incorporate beyond the minimum requirements of building codes to deliver added savings, comfort, and energy efficiency. E-Star Energy Ratings assure builders and homebuyers that a new home has gone “beyond the code” to achieve a higher level of energy efficiency.

Existing Homes and Energy Ratings. An E-Star Energy Rating will tell you how a home rates and how the rating can be improved. A home’s rating on the E-Star scale reflects its overall level of energy efficiency. Even more important, however, the report includes a list of upgrades or improvements that can be made and describes how they would affect the rating. This list shows which improvements offer the most benefit for the cost involved. For these reasons, a rating report is extremely useful to any individual upgrading, selling, or purchasing an existing home whether a home is being upgraded, put on the market, or purchased.