Home Energy Score for Real Estate | Better Buildings Initiative

Protect Your Clients' Interests with Home Energy Score™

Everyone wants to live in a home that is comfortable and affordable to maintain. Energy efficient homes can provide that, but it can be difficult to find one. While sellers may want to feature the green aspects of their home for buyers, the improvements are often hidden behind walls, with benefits that only become obvious after living in the home. Most buyers, meanwhile, enter the largest investment of their lives without knowing how efficient or comfortable their new home is. This can leave residents struggling to choose between staying comfortable and paying their bills.

The U.S. Department of Energy and its local Partners are working to change that with the Home Energy Score. As a real estate professional, you are in a prime position to bring valuable efficiency information to your clients. The Home Energy Score Report estimates home energy use, associated costs, and provides energy solutions to cost-effectively improve the home's efficiency. Each Home Energy Score is shown on a simple one-to-ten scale, where a ten represents the most efficient homes.

How to Use the Home Energy Score

Show off the home's energy features by listing the Score: Seventy-one percent of REALTORS said promoting efficiency in listings is very or somewhat valuable, and over half reported their clients are interested in sustainability.

Disclose energy information that buyers want: One study by Elevate Energy (2015) found that homes with disclosed energy costs - even when those costs were high - closed at a higher percentage of the asking price and spent less time on the market than those that did not disclose energy costs. Another by Dunsky Energy Consulting (2016) reviewed labeling programs in the European Union, Australia, and Canada. They found that poor energy ratings inform energy upgrades rather than discourage the home sale. Homebuyers appreciate having as much information as possible when purchasing a home, and energy labels like Home Energy Score help provide this information.

Learn more from the Real Estate Professionals Fact Sheet and our Interactive Home Energy Score. Interested in residential solar? Check out DOE's SunShot Initiative page, Solar and Real Estate.

Steps to Getting Involved

	Learn More Explore the education module and full introductory presentation. These resources explain the value of energy efficiency and how the Home Energy Score can help homes communicate their value. Share these resources with local training affiliates. Find an Home Energy Score Certified Assessor™ near you to get a Score for your home.
	Expand Your Business with the Score Connect with Home Energy Score Partners working with real estate in your area to offer clients the Score. Utilize the Score in ways that are best for your business: work with buyers to make informed choices, with sellers to feature green homes, or both.
	Showcase Your Knowledge Use customizable marketing materials to reach your clients and differentiate yourself in the marketplace.
	Take Advantage of the Score Help your clients Find an Assessor to get a Score. Tell them about the financing opportunities tied to the Score. Include the Score in MLS listings to provide valuable home energy information and showcase improvements. Ensure lenders use the Appraisal Institute’s Green and Energy Efficient Addendum to include the Home Energy Score in the home’s appraisal. Access additional financing through products offered by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA.
	Tell Your Story Share your success and get featured on the Home Energy Score website. Reach out and let us know how you have incorporated the Home Energy Score in your business. Is there something else you need to make a compelling case for Home Energy Score? Email us at homeenergyscore@ee.doe.gov with your suggestions.