As home building standards evolve and a growing number of home buyers recognize the importance of having an energy efficient home, people need more access to information about home energy efficiency. Home Energy Score is one assessment that helps homeowners, buyers, and renters alike get a quick, easy-to-understand look at a home’s overall energy usage.

What Is the Home Energy Score?

The Home Energy Score (HES) is a simple assessment of a home’s energy efficiency, developed by the Department of Energy. It’s a lot like a miles-per-gallon rating for a car and takes into account several aspects of a home’s energy usage, including its foundation, roof, walls, insulation, and heating, cooling, and hot water systems.

After an HES assessor conducts a thorough inspection of a home, they will generate a Home Energy Score Report. This report rates the home on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing high energy use and 10 representing low energy use. The report also includes facts about the home, estimated energy usage, recommended improvements, and what the new rating and estimated energy savings would be after completing the recommended improvements.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Energy Score?

Whether you’re a home seller, a realtor, or simply a homeowner who is looking to improve your home’s efficiency, now is a good time to consider scheduling a Home Energy Score assessment. With the Home Energy Score, you can:

  • Discover which improvements your home needs for greater energy efficiency

  • Learn how to improve your home’s efficiency before listing it for sale

  • Compare energy use of multiple homes listed on the housing market

  • Find out how much you’ll likely pay in energy costs for a particular home

Home Star Iowa: Iowa’s Certified HES Experts

As Iowa’s leading energy efficiency expert with expertise in whole home diagnostics and ratings for new homes, we’re here for your Home Energy Score needs. Our certified assessors provide fast and reliable Home Energy Score assessments to get you the information you need when you need it. If you’re in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area, talk to us today to learn more about HES or to schedule an assessment.

Want to learn more about a home’s energy use — and what you can do to make it more efficient?

Call (319) 244-8564 or contact us today to schedule a Home Energy Score assessment!

Leading Expert, Rob Novak

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Testimonials

  • Doug de Regnier
     It was recommended that I upgrade my HVAC to GEO by a heating company. I had Rob come in and check my house, he is very professional and knolagable. He ran a complete series of tests, showed me with thermo pictures and real numbers how I could insulate better, upgrade my HVAC without going to the expense of GEO and save more money. Well worth it. 
    ...
  • Joan Tucker
    An energy audit can be a pleasant and informative experience. It  was such during the one completed by Rob Novak for my house recently. In addition to many helpful suggestions to seal warm air leaks in all areas of the house, he found a problem with carbon monoxide in one place. The water heater chimney was blocked. There was a squirrel which had died inside the chimney,...
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  • Sandra Schneider

    Your services were great and more than I expected!

  • Thomas House
    The main thing we took away from the energy assessment was the confidence that comes with having guidelines for laying out a course of action. We knew we had issues with the home's envelope but weren't certain where to start. Using a combination of basic and complex technologies, Rob was patient and professional. He identified problem areas and possible solutions and presented...
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  • Chuck and Jill Monnahan

    We were extremely impressed with the energy audit that Home Star Iowa did on our home a few months ago. The knowledge he had in regards to the energy saving tips he provided was top notch. The equipment and the detail that went into the energy audit was amazing - he explained the results of the audit in detail and provided us a report that was easy to understand, not to mention all the recommendations that will save us money. If you are wanting an energy audit done on your home - there is no...

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  • Pat Shey

     As the owner of a 100 year old home, I sometimes wonder where I should start in making my home more comfortable.  Rob came in and went through all of my utility bills, measured every window, checked the efficiency of my boiler and hot water heater, did a blower door test and walked through the house with an infrared camera and showed me where I need insulation, where the air infiltration is coming from.  A day later, he gave me a very comprehensive report that showed me the steps I can take...

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