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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

For Homeowners

The Home Energy Score is a quick way for homeowners to understand how their home's energy performance compares to that of others in the same region. And, the Home Energy Score is more than just a simple label. The Home Energy Score also provides you with recommendations for energy upgrades as well as an estimate of how much these improvements can reduce the homeowner's utility bills.

Review the following questions and answers to learn more about Home Energy Score.

How does the Home Energy Score compare to other types of home energy assessments and audits?

To produce a Home Energy Score, a DOE qualified energy assessor collects approximately 40 pieces of data during an hour-long home walk-through. The assessor then inputs this information into the Home Energy Scoring Tool to generate (1) an asset score on a 10-point scale and (2) a list of recommended energy improvements. The Home Energy Score's recommendations are based on national installation cost averages for specific energy improvements and state average utility costs.

Homeowners are often highly encouraged to follow up with a more extensive energy audit. A comprehensive energy audit usually:

  • Provides the homeowner with a full work scope
  • Includes more specific and prioritized energy improvements, with much more accurate estimates of energy savings and improvement costs
  • Factors in the home occupants' behavior (e.g., how they set the thermostat, their use of appliances and equipment, etc.)
  • Tests the home's health, safety and durability.

In some cases, contractors and programs offering more extensive audits may issue their own home performance rating. If you're interested in taking advantage of energy efficiency incentives, financing, or homeowner insurance policies, check first to see if programs offering such incentives have specific audit or rating pre-requisites.  

What is the current status of the Home Energy Score program?

The Home Energy Score Pilots were completed in July 2011. See 2010-2011 Pilot Summaries for more information. DOE is planning to launch the Home Energy Score nationally in the first quarter of 2012. DOE is recruiting partners from state and local governments, utilities, and clean energy non-profits to implement the Home Energy Score with their residential programs. If you're interested in becoming a Home Energy Score partner, submit your inquiry via email to homeenergyscore@sra.com.

When should I get a Home Energy Score?

  • As soon as the Home Energy Score becomes available in your area.
    Homeowners often find that energy improvements can dramatically improve the comfort and health of their homes, so it makes sense to act as soon as possible and enhance your quality of life. By getting a Home Energy Score, you can quickly learn how to save energy and money, while also seeing how your home ranks compared to others in your area. After you make energy improvements, your home energy score is likely to improve, so you can ask your contractor to include a post-upgrade assessment as part of the improvement package.

  • Before renovating or remodeling your home.
    A Home Energy Score can help you understand how to integrate energy upgrades into a home renovation or addition. When done as part of a larger project, it makes sense to have your home scored before and after work is done so you can verify that your home's energy performance has improved. The score serves as an official way to document these improvements and thereby enhance your home's appeal when you're ready to sell.

How do the Home Energy Score and Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) PowerSaver pilot program relate to one another?

The two pilot programs are separate initiatives launched concurrently by Vice President Biden in November 2010. The Home Energy Score is not being used to inform the issuance of PowerSaver energy upgraded loans.