HERS Rating Standards & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under RESNET standards, what is the maximum allowable HERS Index for a home to qualify as a 'Zero Energy Ready Home'?
- 45 (Correct answer)
- 52
- 57
- 60
Correct answer: 45
DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes require a HERS Index of 45 or below before renewable energy systems are credited.
Question 2: Which ANSI/RESNET standard specifically governs the calculation methodology for energy ratings of single-family and low-rise multifamily buildings?
- ANSI/RESNET 380
- ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301 (Correct answer)
- ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380
- ANSI/ASHRAE 62.2
Correct answer: ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301
ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301 establishes the calculation methodology and reference home used for HERS ratings.
Question 3: A HERS rater is required to conduct a 'confirmed rating' instead of a 'projected rating' when:
- The home exceeds a HERS Index of 100
- All construction is complete and verified through field inspections (Correct answer)
- The builder requests an estimated score for marketing
- The home uses renewable energy systems
Correct answer: All construction is complete and verified through field inspections
A confirmed (final) rating requires completed construction with all inspections and testing verified on-site by the rater.
Question 4: What is the RESNET-required minimum sampling frequency for a rater performing ratings under the Provider sampling protocol?
- Every home must be tested individually
- At least 1 in 7 homes in a subdivision or development (Correct answer)
- At least 1 in 10 homes per builder per year
- At least 1 in 5 homes with full diagnostic testing
Correct answer: At least 1 in 7 homes in a subdivision or development
RESNET's sampling protocol requires a minimum of 1 in 7 homes to receive full diagnostic testing within a defined sample group.
Question 5: Which of the following items is NOT required to be included in a HERS rating file submitted to a RESNET Provider?
- Blower door test results
- Duct leakage measurements
- Homeowner occupancy data (Correct answer)
- Installed insulation R-values
Correct answer: Homeowner occupancy data
Occupancy data is not part of the energy rating inputs; HERS ratings are based on standardized assumptions for occupancy.
Question 6: Under RESNET standards, what recourse does a homebuyer have if they believe a HERS rating was performed incorrectly?
- File a complaint directly with RESNET's national office
- File a complaint with the rater's RESNET-accredited Rating Provider (Correct answer)
- Request the rater redo all inspections at no cost
- Contact the state energy office for arbitration
Correct answer: File a complaint with the rater's RESNET-accredited Rating Provider
Complaints about rating quality must first be directed to the RESNET-accredited Rating Provider that employs or oversees the rater.
Question 7: In HERS rating methodology, the 'rated home' is compared against a 'reference home' that is defined as:
- The least efficient home allowed by current code
- A home of identical geometry and orientation using RESNET-specified standard features (Correct answer)
- A standard 2,000 sq ft home in a neutral climate zone
- The average energy use of existing homes in the same state
Correct answer: A home of identical geometry and orientation using RESNET-specified standard features
The HERS reference home mirrors the rated home's size and geometry but uses code-minimum features as defined in ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301.
HERS Rating Standards & Compliance 2
Under RESNET standards, what is the maximum allowable HERS Index for a home to qualify as a 'Zero Energy Ready Home'?