A HERS rating typically costs several hundred dollars to over a thousand — commonly in the range of about $400 to $1,500 — depending on home size, whether the home is new construction or existing, how many site visits are needed, and local market rates. Builders often negotiate lower per-home pricing across a subdivision, while a one-off rating on an existing home sits toward the middle or top of the range.
What a HERS rating is
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the residential energy-efficiency scoring system developed and administered by RESNET (the Residential Energy Services Network). A certified HERS rater models the home in accredited software and assigns an index score: a HERS Index of 100 represents a reference home built to a standard baseline, and lower is better. A score of 60 means the rated home is modeled to be 40 percent more efficient than that reference home; a net-zero home scores near 0.
A rating is more than a walkthrough. Per RESNET standards, the rater collects detailed data on the home's envelope, insulation, windows, mechanical systems, and water heating, and performs diagnostic tests — including a blower door test for air leakage and, where applicable, duct-leakage testing. The result is a recognized score used in real estate listings, energy-code compliance paths, and efficiency programs such as ENERGY STAR certified homes.
Typical pricing scenarios
New construction, production builder. Builders who rate every home in a development typically pay the least per home. The rater is on site anyway for multiple inspections, plans are standardized, and volume pricing applies.
New construction, custom home. A custom home usually requires plan review, at least one rough-in inspection (insulation stage), and a final inspection with testing. Expect pricing in the middle to upper part of the range, since each home is modeled from scratch.
Existing home. Rating an existing home can cost more per visit because the rater must gather data that would have been visible during construction — insulation levels behind finished surfaces are estimated or verified where accessible, which takes time and judgment.
Code compliance or program rating. Ratings used for energy-code compliance (an ERI compliance path), ENERGY STAR, or utility new-home programs may involve extra inspections, registry fees, and quality-assurance requirements that add to the price.
What drives the cost
- Square footage and complexity. More conditioned area, more stories, and multiple HVAC systems mean more modeling and testing time.
- Number of site visits. A final-only rating costs less than a multi-visit package with pre-drywall inspection.
- Diagnostic testing scope. Blower door testing is standard; multiple duct systems each need their own duct-leakage test.
- Registry and provider fees. Ratings are registered through RESNET-accredited providers, and those administrative fees are built into the price.
- Travel. Rural properties far from the rater's base often carry trip charges.
HERS rating versus a home energy audit
The two overlap but serve different purposes. A HERS rating produces a standardized asset score — a number that describes the house itself, useful for code compliance, new-home programs, and marketing a home's efficiency. An energy audit is a diagnostic service for an occupant: it hunts for problems and produces a prioritized improvement plan. Many professionals hold both RESNET and BPI credentials and offer both services; the right choice depends on whether you need a score or a to-do list. See home energy audit cost and BPI versus HERS certification for the comparison.
If your goal is a federal tax credit for a home energy audit, note that the IRS requirements center on a qualified home energy auditor and a compliant report — a HERS rating by itself is not automatically the same thing. Details in the energy audit tax credit.
Is a HERS rating worth paying for?
For builders, a rating is often required — many jurisdictions accept or require an ERI score for code compliance, and above-code programs demand one. For buyers and sellers, a documented HERS score can support a listing the way a fuel-economy sticker supports a car sale, and some lenders offer energy-efficient mortgage options that use ratings.
For an existing-home owner who simply wants lower bills, a diagnostic audit is usually the better first purchase. Consider a HERS rating on an existing home when you want a before-and-after score for a deep retrofit, need documentation for a program, or plan to market the home's efficiency.
How to choose and verify a rater
RESNET maintains a public directory of certified HERS raters, and every legitimate rater works under a RESNET-accredited rating provider that handles quality assurance. Before hiring:
- Verify the rater's certification in the RESNET directory and ask which provider oversees them.
- Ask what the fee includes: number of site visits, which diagnostic tests, registry fees, and whether you receive the full rating report and certificate.
- Confirm the rating will satisfy the specific program or code official you need it for — requirements vary by jurisdiction and program.
- Ask about experience with your home type (custom, multifamily, existing retrofit).
Our directory lists home energy professionals compiled from public certification sources such as the RESNET rater directory. We are an independent directory of source-backed public records — we do not certify, license, or endorse anyone, so confirm current credentials with RESNET or BPI directly before you hire.
What is a good HERS score?
Lower is better. New homes built to recent energy codes commonly score well below 100, and many high-performance programs target scores in the 50s or lower. A net-zero-energy home approaches 0.
Does a HERS rating include a blower door test?
Yes. Air-leakage testing with a blower door is part of the standard rating protocol, and duct-leakage testing applies when ducts run outside conditioned space.
Can I get a HERS rating on an older home?
Yes. Existing homes can be rated, though verifying hidden insulation adds effort. Owners planning major retrofits sometimes rate before and after to document the improvement.