HERS ratings reach one in three new U.S. homes
More than one-third of newly constructed single-family homes in the United States received a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating in 2025, reflecting continued growth in energy performance verification across the residential construction industry. According to RESNET’s 2026 Trends in HERS Rated Homes report, more than 420,000 homes received ratings during the year, accounting for approximately 34% of all new single-family homes built nationwide.
The report also found that the average HERS Index score improved to 53 in 2025, down two points from the previous year. A lower HERS Index score indicates greater energy efficiency, with the latest average representing approximately 47% better energy performance compared to a home built to the 2006 HERS reference standard.
The HERS Index measures a home’s energy performance through a standardized rating process that evaluates factors such as insulation, building-envelope efficiency, air leakage, heating and cooling systems, and other energy-related characteristics. The 2026 report also examines trends in solar energy adoption, equipment efficiency and water conservation, providing a broader picture of how residential construction practices are evolving nationwide.
The findings highlight the continued expansion of third-party energy verification in new-home construction as builders incorporate energy-efficient materials, improved building-envelope systems and higher-performing equipment into residential projects. With HERS ratings now covering approximately one in three newly built single-family homes, verified energy performance continues to establish a larger presence in the U.S. housing market.
