Why High Performance Building Practices Remain
RESNET® recently celebrated the milestone of 5 million registered HERS® Ratings. The steady annual growth in HERS Ratings reflects more than regulatory compliance or market trends, it signals a fundamental shift in how builders design, construct and market new homes.
At the center of this transformation are builders themselves. Builders recognized by RESNET’s Builder of the Month program consistently describe energy efficiency not as an optional upgrade, but as an essential part of delivering value to today’s homebuyers. Their stories reveal a goal of embedded building science in every stage of construction, investing in training, quality assurance and long-term partnerships rather than treating efficiency as a one-time initiative.
These builders understand that excellence is not simply about installing the latest equipment. It is about creating repeatable, scalable processes that consistently produce healthier, more comfortable and more durable homes while maintaining construction schedules and controlling costs.
Thousands of HERS Raters, whose role has evolved beyond verification, support these efforts. Today’s Raters function as technical advisors, providing builders with actionable feedback throughout the construction process.
By identifying opportunities for improvement before breaking ground, Raters refine specifications, helping builders achieve greater consistency across projects.
This collaborative relationship has become one of the industry’s greatest innovation engines. Rather than serving solely as third-party inspectors, HERS Raters help builders translate building science into practical field applications that can be replicated.
The HERS Index itself serves as the catalyst. What began as an objective measurement of a home’s energy performance became a common language shared by builders, lenders, utilities, code officials and consumers. Because performance can be measured and benchmarked, builders gain the confidence to evaluate new construction practices and technologies using objective data rather than assumptions. That data-driven approach encourages continuous improvement. Every rated home becomes another opportunity to identify trends, refine construction details and improve processes. Reaching five million HERS Ratings represents more than an impressive statistic; it represents an unprecedented database of residential building performance that continues to inform best practices throughout the industry.
Consumers are also accelerating adoption. Today’s homebuyers increasingly expect homes to deliver lower utility bills, improved comfort, healthier indoor air and greater resilience.
Many buyers may not initially ask for advanced framing, superior air sealing or optimized HVAC design, but they immediately recognize the benefits once they experience them.
Builders have responded by making efficient construction a standard feature rather than a premium option. As more builders compete on performance, quality becomes a competitive advantage instead of a compliance exercise.
Public policy and market incentives also continue to shape the landscape. Utility efficiency programs, evolving energy codes and programs such as LEED, NGBS and Earth Craft create additional momentum by rewarding measurable performance rather than prescriptive methods. These initiatives encourage builders to pursue higher levels of efficiency while allowing flexibility in how those results are achieved.
The builders featured through RESNET’s Builder of the Month program repeatedly emphasize the importance of long-term partnerships with HERS Rating companies, product manufacturers, HVAC contractors, framers, insulation installers and architects. Innovation occurs when every member of the construction team shares responsibility for consistently delivering a high-performance home.
This collaborative ecosystem allows new technologies and best practices to move rapidly from pilot projects into large-scale production. Once a process proves successful, builders can implement it across hundreds, or even thousands, of homes annually.
Few industries possess this ability to scale innovation as quickly as residential construction.
The growth of HERS Ratings demonstrates that this model is working. Five million rated homes represent millions of families living in homes that consume less energy, reduce emissions, improve comfort and lower operating costs. They also represent countless builders who have embraced continuous improvement as a core business strategy.
As RESNET looks toward the next five million HERS Ratings, the future of innovation appears increasingly collaborative. Builders, HERS Raters, utilities, manufacturers, policymakers and consumers each play an indispensable role. Together, they have created a marketplace where verified performance drives better building decisions.
This shift is driven by a shared commitment to measurable performance, trusted partnerships and the belief that every new home can be built better than the last. The continued growth of HERS Ratings and the success stories of builders across the country demonstrate that when performance is measured, collaboration is prioritized and quality is verified, efficient building practices are a logical response.
By Michael Matthews. He is the RESNET Programs Engagement Specialist. He may be reached at michael@resnet.us
This is featured in the Green Home Builder July/ August issue; read the print version here.
