HOMES BY TABER RANKED FIRST IN THE STATE AND THIRD IN THE COUNTRY FOR LOWEST HERS SCORES IN NEW HOMES

OKLAHOMA CITY — Homes by Taber is ranked third in the nation and first in Oklahoma by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) with an average HERS Index Score of 40.1 for new homes built in 2020. 

“Homes by Taber has worked hand in hand with RESNET over the years to build a quality, energy-efficient home with technology that will raise the standards in Oklahoma. Hearing that we have been recognized for our low HERS scores is rewarding to our employees and comforting to our homeowners that our homes provide comfort, savings, and a decreased carbon footprint,” says Taber LeBlanc, owner of Homes by Taber. He goes on to say, “we have said for years that if your home is not energy rated, it’s not energy efficient. Because of the regulations put on builders, all builders can technically say they are an energy efficient builder, but if they are not willing to have their homes energy rated by a third party, they are not able to measure the quality of their energy efficiencies.”

Like the miles-per-gallon calculation for cars, a HERS Index Score allows for a uniform estimate of a home’s energy consumption and provides buyers/owners with a reference point for how energy efficient it is as compared to other homes. Heating, cooling, and water heating constitute the largest cost of homeownership outside of the mortgage loan, and the HERS Index Score can help homeowners outline the energy features of the home and the expected cost of utility bills.

The HERS Index is a scoring system established by RESNET that offers a comparison for the relative energy efficiency of different homes. The lower the HERS Index Score, the more energy-efficient the home. The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a home built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code is awarded a rating of 100.

“RESNET is proud to recognize the homebuilders that are leading the path to net-zero energy homes,” RESNET Executive Director Steve Baden said in a statement. “Not only are these homes with low HERS Index Scores more comfortable for owners of the homes, they also annually save their families an average over $750 a year in utility costs, fostering local economic development, and reduce annually an average of 4.39 tons of carbon emissions aiding the environment.”

The HERS Index Score plays an increasingly important role in the housing industry, used by builders, utilities, real estate professionals, and government agencies to measure the efficiency of their homes, as rated by certified RESNET Home Energy Professionals.

“We at Homes by Taber are very proud to be part of this recognition and that our homes can help prospective and current homeowners live in the most comfortable, energy-efficient homes as possible,” says LeBlanc. 

There have been over 3 million homes rated with a HERS Index Score, saving over $8 billion in energy costs for homeowners. For more information, visit www.hersindex.com.

See the original article here: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/2021/04/17/low-hers-index-scores-brings-recognition-okc-builder/7190911002/