Energy rater and performance consultant
Builders enlist help from energy raters and performance consultants to create the most energy-efficient house plans. This process starts with the framing, by looking for gaps and holes which occur due to wood not being uniform.
In phase two, they check insulation to ensure there is enough and that all the walls and the attic are properly covered.
In the final phase, devices are used to perform a multitude of tests to measure the energy efficiency of the house before the homeowner closes on their new home. Many energy-efficiency problems can be fixed by the builder before the closing date.
In this video: See how involving an energy rater during the planning phase ensures an energy efficient outcome for a new home.
Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
More from this category
Choosing energy-smart products
When building your new home, don't forget about the importance of energy-conserving products like furnaces, air conditioners and appliances.
Roof and attic
Your roof and attic play the most crucial role in your home's energy efficiency system, reducing your energy costs during the winter and summer.
Net Zero Community
Check out a new neighborhood concept and see how one builder is changing the way homes are built with a goal to use zero energy.
Geodesic domes
A geodesic design uses interconnected triangles to create a strong, environmentally friendly structure.
Modular homes
Modular homes are built in a factory under controlled conditions, then shipped to the homesite and placed on a permanent foundation.
Trombe wall
Using the sun's stored energy to heat your home reduces your conventional energy consumption.
Finding an energy-smart builder
An energy-smart builder will help you make the right choices for your family and lifestyle.
Historic preservation
A preservation expert shares how to restore an older home economically and energy efficiently.