Even though Bosgraaf Companies has been building Energy Star homes since 1999, terminology and policies change periodically. When I received our latest Rating Certificate for our recently completed home in Prairie Winds, I decided to refresh my knowledge of the rating scale and share that information here.
In order to be an Energy Star qualified home, every home we build (not a sampling) is tested by a 3rd party. Our testers have no ownership or "funny" relationship with our company so it is truly impartial. The tester comes in and hooks up a "Blower Door" to one of the doors of the home to create a negative air pressure situation and this measures the air exchanges.
*It is pretty cool to be in a home when this test takes place so let us know if you have a school classroom or other group that would like a field trip.*
If a window is cracked open, a vent hooked up improperly, or something left un-caulked, it is immediately known by the reading on the Blower Door test and the sound of whistling air that allows our builders to immediately find the source. As you can imagine, this gives us tremendous peace of mind to know that we are delivering a home that is properly sealed against wind and water infiltration.
*It is pretty cool to be in a home when this test takes place so let us know if you have a school classroom or other group that would like a field trip.*
If a window is cracked open, a vent hooked up improperly, or something left un-caulked, it is immediately known by the reading on the Blower Door test and the sound of whistling air that allows our builders to immediately find the source. As you can imagine, this gives us tremendous peace of mind to know that we are delivering a home that is properly sealed against wind and water infiltration.
When the testers are finished at a home, they provide us with a Rating Certificate. That certificate lists the results of the Blower Door test and compiles the specifications provided for the house (R Value of insulation, type of window, etc.). The final number that results, and a number we look at, is the HERS Index.
The following description of the HERS Index was taken from www.resnet.us/home-energy-ratings: Each 1-point decrease in the HERS Index corresponds to a 1% reduction in energy consumption compared to the HERS Reference Home. Thus a home with a HERS Index of 85 is 15% more energy efficient than the HERS Reference Home and a home with a HERS Index of 80 is 20% more energy efficient."
We are incredibly proud of the fact that our most recent home at Prairie Winds in Zeeland tested at 62!! This is the typical score of our homes, but much better than the typical home built to Model Energy Code. Anything below 70 is rated 5 Star PLUS by Energy Star - off the charts, basically. We have always tested out at 5 Star (before they added the Plus category) and 5 Star Plus.
The following description of the HERS Index was taken from www.resnet.us/home-energy-ratings: Each 1-point decrease in the HERS Index corresponds to a 1% reduction in energy consumption compared to the HERS Reference Home. Thus a home with a HERS Index of 85 is 15% more energy efficient than the HERS Reference Home and a home with a HERS Index of 80 is 20% more energy efficient."
We are incredibly proud of the fact that our most recent home at Prairie Winds in Zeeland tested at 62!! This is the typical score of our homes, but much better than the typical home built to Model Energy Code. Anything below 70 is rated 5 Star PLUS by Energy Star - off the charts, basically. We have always tested out at 5 Star (before they added the Plus category) and 5 Star Plus.
What does this mean for the homeowner? A comfortable home with lower energy costs and a home that is Earth-friendly. For this particular home in Prairie Winds with 3,508 square feet of conditioned space, the projected annual energy cost (based on today's rates) is $2,298 for heating, cooling, all lights and appliances.
Call Maureen or Mike at Bosgraaf to learn more about Energy Star and our green commitment at Bosgraaf Companies.
