OCEANSIDE, Calif. —Residential Energy Service Network (RESNET) recently announced the nationwide demand for home energy ratings remained constant in 2011.

In 2011, 121,000 U.S. homes were energy rated and issued a home energy rating index score (HERS). RESNET reported that this represents 40 percent of new homes sold in the country.

In 2010, the number of homes rated was also 120,000. RESNET officials believe this feat is remarkable, considering the declining number of new homes sold in the U.S. since 2010.

“These numbers reflect that home energy ratings are fast becoming mainstream in the U.S. housing market,” said Steve Baden, RESNET executive director. “Home builders are increasingly seeing energy efficiency as a major selling point for buying a new home. To take advantage of this opportunity, builders are presenting a home’s energy performance in a way every buyer can understand by showing a home’s HERS. I expect this trend to continue as more national local builders commit to having all of their homes energy rated and marketing their homes’ HERS index score.”

Publication date: 4/9/2012