Making homes more energy-efficient is something that many homeowners in Ontario are interested in doing. Examining a home’s Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score is one common approach to gauge energy efficiency. But what exactly is a HERS rating, and what does a 55 mean? The cost of a blower door test, energy subsidies, and HERS ratings in Ontario will all be covered in this article.
The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) created the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), a grading system. This system assesses the energy efficiency of a house while taking insulation, air leakage, and the heating and cooling systems into account. Each home receives a HERS score, with lower scores indicating more efficiency. A “typical” home receives a score of 100, while a “net-zero” home—one that uses as much energy as it produces—gets a score of 0.
The Building Code in Ontario mandates that new homes have a HERS score of 80 or less. This indicates that a HERS score of 55 is considerably higher than the prerequisite. The size, age, and energy efficiency objectives of the homeowner are among the many variables that determine whether a HERS score of 55 is regarded as “good”. A HERS score of 55 may represent a major improvement over the previous score for certain homes, while it may also serve as a starting point for future improvements for other homeowners.
Fortunately, Ontario offers a wide range of energy incentives and rebates to support homeowners in making improvements to their houses’ energy efficiency. For example, the Save on Energy program provides refunds for improvements like insulation, air sealing, and HVAC systems. The Home Efficiency Rebate program, which provides reimbursements for improvements like windows, water heaters, and smart thermostats, is another resource available to homeowners. These initiatives can lower the price of energy-efficient modifications and increase homeowner access to them. The price of an Ontario Blower Door Test
Conducting a blower door test is one approach to raise a home’s HERS rating. This test calculates the rate of air leakage in a house and can show where air sealing is required. The price of a blower door test in Ontario may differ based on the size of the house and the contractor doing the test. However, a blower door test can cost households anywhere from $300 to $500.
In conclusion, a HERS rating of 55 exceeds the basic criteria of the Building Code and is typically regarded as satisfactory in Ontario. However, the homeowner’s specific energy efficiency objectives will determine whether a score of 55 is regarded as “good”. Fortunately, Ontario offers a wide range of energy incentives and rebates to help reduce the cost of energy-efficient modifications. In order to find opportunities for enhancement and further boost their home’s energy efficiency, homeowners may also think about performing a blower door test.