Home Energy Rating Assessment (HERS)
Home Energy Rating Assessment - the benefits for you
“The energy efficiency of New Zealand’s houses is poor compared with other developed countries. A Home Energy Rating is very comprehensive and may help you make a warmer, healthier and more cost-effective home, if you are buying, building, renting, renovating etc” (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority)
The Home Energy Rating programme (“HERS”) has been developed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (www.energywise.govt.nz) with the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors to give New Zealanders the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their homes.
What’s in it for you? A Home Energy Rating or HERS is an assessment of the energy efficiency performance of your home. It includes the building itself, and the two biggest energy users in a home - the room heating and the water heating systems.
We as qualified ABSA Assessors conduct a HERS then generate a report containing star ratings showing the energy performance of your home, and professional recommendations on the most appropriate actions to improve the home's rating (see attached sample HERS report).
HERS rates your home. Your home gets a standardised Star Energy Rating for Homes, like those for appliances and vehicles, showing the energy efficiency of your home, its construction, water heating system and home heating system. More stars mean better energy efficiency.
1. Advice and save you money. You get tailored recommendations and practical information about the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency to make your home warmer, healthier and more cost â€" effective, thus saving you money
2. You may also increase the value of your home. In the ACT Australia evidence is that energy efficient homes hold their value and increase in value at a higher rate than non energy efficient homes. Research by Energy Partners shows that the value of homes in the ACT with high energy ratings (5 stars or more) grew by over 15% pa compared to those with a low energy rating which grew by only 2.27% pa.
Existing homeowner. If you are looking for the best and most cost-effective way to incorporate energy efficiency features into your existing home.
Potential buyer, renter or seller. If you are looking for a measure of a home’s energy efficiency to factor into your buying or renting decision, or to demonstrate the energy performance of your home.
Designing, building or developing your new home. A HERS assessment at the design stage can identify potential changes for a higher standard of energy efficiency. These changes can then be incorporated into the final home design before construction begins, when more effective energy performance improvements are easier to incorporate and for considerably less cost.
Who does these HERS assessments? Aneco Sustainability Solutions’ Stephen Baker and John Reuhman are Certified Building Sustainability Assessors and members of ABSA (the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors, www.absa.net.nz). Aneco Sustainability Solutions is recognized as one of the leaders in HERS having already undertaken more than 730 throughout New Zealand.
What will a Home Energy Rating cost you?
| Size of house | ||
|---|---|---|
| •Single storey <250m2 | $395 + GST | |
| •Large single storey, small double storey <250m2 •Large double storey / complex houses | $495 + GST $595 + GST | |
| •Additional consultancy advice | $99 per hour + GST |
•Many other countries have Home Energy Ratings. In Netherlands and most Australian states, energy rating is mandatory for new homes and voluntary for existing homes and is mandatory on new and existing homes (sale or lease) in Germany, Denmark, the UK, and ACT in Australia.