Here is a list of all of the data that needs to be put into a HERS energy model…

Geometry, location and orientation

• CAD drawings in DWG or DXF format
• Drawings in PDF format (or paper)
• 3D model in SKP (SetchUp) format (optional but really helpful)

Ceiling/roof type

– Rafter

• Vented
• Unvented

– Attic

• Vented (insulation on ceiling)
• Sealed (unvented, insulation on roof sheathing)

Crawlspace type

• Vented (passively or actively)
• Conditioned
• Open (on piers, not enclosed)

Sunspace (atrium, greenhouse)

• None or detached
• Attached but isolatable

Insulation location, type and levels

Insulation schedule or drawings that call-out all of the insulation location, types and levels.
Basement & crawlspace walls: top of concrete and finished grade line
Mass walls:
Skylites:
Ground under crawlspace or slab:
Rim board/band joists:
Above grade walls:
Windows:
Ceiling/roof:
Framing; standard or efficient?

Mechanical systems

Fuel source, type, size and efficiency of all machines

Mechanical distribution

Type, insulation level and location of ductwork

Infiltration rate and supplemental ventilation

Target air exchange rate
Mechanical ventilation rate, cycle period, wattage of fan
If a HRV or ERV is utilized, also need sensible and total recovery efficiencys

Lighting and appliances

Percentage of high-efficacy lighting (optional)
Consumption of appliances (optional)

Interior thermal mass

Area and thickness of supplementary thermal mass; divided into sun-strike and shaded areas

Renewable energy production

Thermal solar

• Heating DHW only, or DHW plus space heating
• Collector type
• Collector area
• Volume of water storage

Photovoltaic solar

• Array area
• Peak power production
• Inverter efficiency

Ground Source Heat Pump

• Well type; horizontal or vertical
• Number of trenches/number of wells
• Length of trenches/depth of wells
• Flow rate

Registration information

Name, address, email, phone number of the project, owner and builder

Next steps

Remember to notify HERS rater to schedule an insulation inspection before it is covered. Rater will verify quantity and quality of insulation installation.
Remember to notify HERS rater to schedule the final inspection and test. Rater will verify specifications of mechanical equipment and renewable energy systems. Rater will perform blower door test and ductwork testing if required. Rater will upload HERS rating to the RESNET registry and then issue the confirmed certificate.

How is a HERS Rating different from a REScheck?

The software used for HERS Ratings is much more sophisticated (and complicated). It can consider many more factors than can the software used for RESchecks. For instance, REScheck does not factor in air-infiltration, thermal mass, renewable energy production, etc.  into the energy calculations. These extra factors will lower the projected energy consumption. So a project that fails the energy code using REScheck may pass using a HERS rating.

HERS ratings must be performed by someone trained and certified. HERS raters have to; go to school, test to certify, carry liability insurance, annual quality assurance reviews, continuing education, purchase equipment, annual equipment calibration, software fees, vehicle travel to inspect and test, membership dues and pay a review fee of $65 per rating.