Hot Shots - Thermal Imaging

What is a home energy rating?

A home energy rating is an assessment of the energy efficiency
performance of a home. It includes:

• How well the building's design, materials, construction and
orientation enable it to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature
• The efficiency of a home's two biggest energy users: the space heating
system and the water heating system.

The assessment will give your home a star rating from 0 to 10 stars, along with tailored, expert recommendations on effective ways to improve your home's energy efficiency.

A home energy rating can be completed on any home, including apartments, older homes and homes still at the design stage (i.e. off plans). It can be applied to simple homes and complex designs.

Home energy ratings can be used for either existing homes or new homes.
A home energy rating of an existing home allows a homeowner to receive a report listing options for upgrading a home’s energy efficiency. The homeowners may then use the report to determine the most effective ways in which to upgrade the home’s energy efficiency. A home energy rating of a new home allows buyers to compare the energy efficiency of homes they are considering buying.

One of the best ways to achieve an energy rating on a proposed house is by using House Energy Rating Software (HERS). This kind of software will simulate a home and provide estimates for the energy needed to heat and cool that home over the course of the year.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (HERS) is a framework by which this kind of software is assessed, compared and accredited for use in New Zealand.