HBAL first in nation to commit to having all homes energy rated

HBAL homes will be individually inspected, tested

Todd Johnson, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Lexington, announces that the association has committed to having its builders have their homes energy rated. The builders also will market the homes’ HERS Index score.

By Lorie Hailey
Associate Editor

More photos below the story.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 12, 2012) — The Home Builders Association of Lexington (HBAL) is the first homebuilders association in the nation to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), the association announced today.

Under the MOU, the association commits all of their builder members to have all of their homes energy rated and market their homes’ Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index score. Developed by RESNET, the HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.

The association committed to having all homes individually inspected and tested.

HBAL made the announcement at 3012 Blackford Parkway, one of the two “Homes of Excellence” featured on this year’s Grand Tour of Homes.

The 2,775 s.f. home, The Chesnut Springs, was built with an Energy Smart HERS rating, and includes a high-efficiency geothermal HVAC system and a tankless water heater. It is estimated that the energy costs savings at The Chesnut Springs would be nearly $4,000 a year.

The home’s HERS rating is 39, while a standard new home rates around 100, according to Todd Johnson, executive vice president of HBAL. The lower the score, the more efficient the home. The score is based on the home’s energy performance as determined by a certified RESNET Home Energy Rater.

“We’re proud that HBAL is the first Home Builders Association in the nation to support the HERS rating system by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing to encourage 100 percent of its builder members to participate in the Energy Smart Builder Program by signing their own MOU with RESNET as a commitment to rate 100 percent of their new homes,” Johnson said.

The MOU shows that HBAL members are committed to promoting energy efficiency, he said.

The agreement with the Lexington association “will be a model for future agreements with other homebuilder associations,” according to RESNET.

: Todd Johnson, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Lexington, announces that the association has committed to having all of its builders have their homes energy rated. The builders also will market their homes' HERS Index score.

: Builder Jimmy Nash, left, HBAL executive director Todd Johnson and builder James Monroe pose for photo with Lori Flannery, secretary of the state Finance and Administration Cabinet. Flannery spoke at a press conference by the HBAL, where the association announced it will have all of its home energy rated and will market their homes' HERS Index score.

: A shower in the master bedroom of 3012 Blackford Parkway is shown. The home is one of the "Homes of Excellence" in the Home Builders Association of Lexington's Grand Tour of Homes, which is set for this weekend.

: Bluegrass Energy representatives Barry Drury and Jeff Moberly speak Thursday with Alex Carter, a HERS rater, after a press conference by the Home Builders Association of Lexington.

: The kitchen of an energy-efficient home at 3012 Blackford Parkway in Lexington is shown.

: Builders Jimmy Nash and James Monroe talk after the HBAL announcement Thursday.

: Landon Garmon, Bob Eipert, a HERS rater, and Bill Cooper of KU/LG&E speak Thursday after the HBAL announced its commitment to building energy efficient homes.

: A geothermal HVAC system is shown at a home in the Blackford Oaks Subdivision.

: At an energy-efficient home in the Blackford Oaks Subdivision, builder James Monroe, left, speaks with Roy Honnican of Bluegrass Energy, right, about the home's geothermal HVAC system.

: Sandy Beck of the Home Builders Association of Lexington, left, speaks with Lora Werner of the Kentucky Home Builders Association at Thursday's press conference at an energy-efficient home in the Blackford Oaks Subdivision.

: This home at 3012 Blackford Parkway is one of the two “Homes of Excellence” featured on the HBAL's Grand Tour of Homes. The 2,775 s.f. home was built with an Energy Smart HERS rating, and includes a high efficiency geothermal HVAC system and a tankless water heater. Lora Werner of the Kentucky Home Builders Association is seen on the stairs.

: Lori Flannery, secretary of the state Finance and Administration Cabinet. Flannery spoke at a press conference by the HBAL, where the association announced it will have all of its home energy rated and will market their homes' HERS Index score.