Two Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod homes in Wellfleet have a HERS rating of – 15, making them the best rated Habitat homes in the United States.
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. A certified Home Energy Rater assesses the energy efficiency of a home, assigning it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home.
The U.S. Department of Energy has determined that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index while a standard new home is awarded a rating of 100. A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home.
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod’s homes are rated by RESNET certified, Home Energy Raters LLC of Sagamore Beach.
The HERs rating considers energy efficiencies associated with exterior walls (both above and below grades); Floors over unconditioned spaces (like garages or cellars); Ceilings and roofs; Attics, foundations and crawlspaces; Windows and doors, vents and ductwork; HVAC systems, water heating system, and thermostats.
“Out of around 1,000 ratings registered from 2018 to present, Habitat Cape Cod homes have consistently received the best HERS ratings of any Habitat affiliate in the United States.” – Molly Berg, Building Science Specialist, at Habitat for Humanity International.
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod is committed to building quality and affordable housing, striving for healthy homes with indoor air quality being a top priority. The results of those efforts are highly efficient homes, capable of energy independence.
“Our portfolio of architectural designs allow for southern exposure on even the most difficult of sites. The volunteers are educated in the most energy efficient framing techniques. Our homes are fully electric, delivering efficient heating & cooling without the storage or use of fossil fuels. And when equipped with solar PVs the homes require minimal grid-source electricity – and can potentially produce as much electricity as consumed in the course of a year. Not only are we building homes with less environmental impact, we are also lowering the homeowner’s energy costs.” -Bob Ryley, Habitat Cape Cod Director of Construction.
“Living in a house with solar is an absolute blessing. When we open our electric bill it usually says “no payment due.” Not only does it say no payment due, but we accumulate so much credit during the summer that it carries over all through the winter.” -Julie Davis- Habitat Homeowner, Brewster
Though partnerships and donations from the Harken Foundation, the The Cape Cod Foundation, Cape Light Compact and more, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod has installed solar PVs on 49 homes since 2009.
In the past 30 years, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod has developed over 150 affordable homes on Cape Cod. Local families help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat homes range from one to three bedrooms and the price to the homeowner is $138,000 to $168,000, and the Homes are deed restricted to remain affordable in perpetuity.
Special thanks to SunPower by E2 Solar for these incredible aerial shots of our 14 homes on Paul Hush Way, Brewster!
