A row of houses with score indicators above them, ranking their energy efficiency performance

The Home Energy Score (HES)

It’s important to know your home before you begin an upgrade. What projects are your best solution to reduce utility bills and make your house more comfortable? 

Instead of making guesses about your home, find out what it really needs when an independent and professional assessor conducts a Home Energy Score (HES) for you. 

Find a certified assessor to walk you through your home’s energy use. 

The HES

The HES is about gaining knowledge and information about your home. It’s an assessment process that helps you make better decisions about potential upgrades.

An assessor uses a formula developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to score your home’s energy use on a scale of 1 to 10. It estimates home energy use, associated costs, and provides energy solutions to cost-effectively improve your home’s efficiency. 

Home Energy Score® is a program of the U.S. Department of Energy. StopWaste is a Home Energy Score® partner serving the San Francisco Bay Area in collaboration with BayREN.

Home Energy Score Details

A Home Energy Score Assessor will collect information during a home inspection walk-through and score your home on a scale of 1-10.

Uses More Energy
Uses Less Energy
Horizontal scale from 1 to 10
A score of 1 indicates the home needs extensive energy improvements.
A score of 10 indicates the home has excellent energy performance.

Download the DOE’s HES fact sheet for more details. 

What Is An Assessor? 

Your assessor can be many different professionals, such as a home inspector, a contractor or an energy audit specialist. They are vetted and certified by BayREN and are trusted resources in the community. 

An assessor comes to your home (following all COVID safety mandates) and conducts a personal, detailed analysis about your house and its energy assets. 

And when they’re done? You get your score, facts about your home and its estimated energy consumption, and customized recommendations to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

What Does It Cost?

HES costs vary depending on factors, such as location and home size. 

Discuss the $200 BayREN HES Rebate with your assessor and any additional bonus rebates that may be available. You’ll be walked through it before you commit. 

It’s also important to understand that you can bundle an HES with other projects such as a home inspection or furnace replacement. Depending on the right circumstances, it could turn out to be at no additional cost to you. Always ask!

What You Could Learn

High-Efficiency Appliances Save Energy

Find out if you have an outdated water heater, air conditioner or furnace. High-efficiency appliances can save the average household hundreds of dollars a year.

Insulation For Better Temperature

Your assessor can determine if your house needs wall or attic insulation, to maintain a more consistent temperature, allowing for better mold and moisture control.

Seal Your Ducts Against Moisture

Maybe your home has leaky ducts. Your assessor will know. You can reduce dust and excess moisture in your home for a healthier environment by sealing your ducts. 

Create a Healthy Home

We’ll help you get the biggest bang for your energy efficiency upgrades. Find the best solution and the right project that fits your needs. Get Rebates