First, let’s start by explaining what a HERS score is, and why LifeStyle Homes ensures that each one of our homeowners knows their specific home’s score as soon as we turn over the keys to their new home.
HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. Independent energy experts rate and assign new-construction homes an energy-efficiency score (or HERS score) based on a series of tests conducted at two points throughout the build process.
The lower the score, the more efficient the home. Thus, the lower the score, the greater the electric-bill savings a homebuyer can expect to receive.
Energy experts liken the process to a car’s MPG rating. You wouldn’t buy a car without knowing how much it’s going to cost you in gas, right? Using the same logic, today’s homebuyers shouldn’t blindly purchase a new home without knowing how much it’s going to cost them in electricity expenses.
A score of 100 is indicative of a standard new home. Each home built by LifeStyle Homes is guaranteed to receive a HERS score of 60 or lower. That said, each new LifeStyle home is guaranteed to save our homebuyers at least 40%, or an average of $768 per year, on their electric bills.
How do we guarantee this score? It’s simple. We build each new home to a higher standard. This standard is called “LifeStyle SunSmart℠” and it employs a proven system of energy-saving building techniques and materials developed in partnership with the scientists at the Florida Solar Energy Center.
Since the LifeStyle SunSmart℠ program was started in 2009, we’ve completed around 500 of these superior-built homes.
Even better, our solar homeowners receive an even lower HERS score. It’s not uncommon for these individuals to receive a score of 0 (signifying their home as zero energy), or even a negative HERS score (signifying their home will produce more energy than they consume).
For a more in-depth explanation of the HERS score, check out this informational video.