Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The US Dept of Energy has released a DIY Home Energy Score* assessment tool that you can use to make more informed energy, cost, and carbon savings on your home or project. It can even be used to help make the transition to all-electric systems.
Join us as we review a quick overview of using this tool to generate a draft home energy score for existing or new residential housing projects. We will discuss using the tool and technical information to evaluate building envelope, air sealing, HVAC, water heater, and solar to determine a home's potential home energy score and energy-saving opportunities. We will also discuss how this tool may align with the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits/rebates, GreenStar Homes Certification, and local home resale disclosure laws.
What you need
During this meeting, we will be going through the tool, so please have it up to walk through guest.hescore.labworks.org/guest-access
Prerequisite knowledge
Before this meeting, you might want to watch our introductory webinars, The Basics of residential green building systems energy part 1 - 3. Professionals and raters may wish to also watch the intro to home energy score webinar, Comparing the residential energy efficiency rating systems. You are not required to follow along, though.
Who is this for?
Homeowners, renters, designers, architects, developers, HVAC, property owners, realtors, rebate managers, home inspectors, raters and more!
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Water, Place
• AIBD
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
Lessons Learned
1. Review how to use a US DOE Home Energy Score tool to make informed decisions about healthy and efficient home design
2. Articulate the benefits of energy, carbon and cost savings by changing home design and improving safety or conservation
3. Understand how the home energy score assessment and outcomes tie into bigger green building standards for the welfare of the occupants
4. Know where to get more information to get officially certified scores to ensure a more sustainable home.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/diy-home-energy-scores-ratings
*Please note that this does not lead to an official score. You can go here to learn more about receiving an official home energy score or becoming trained to deliver official scores in your region.
Thank you to our sponsors who make this possible!
The US Dept of Energy has released a DIY Home Energy Score* assessment tool that you can use to make more informed energy, cost, and carbon savings on your home or project. It can even be used to help make the transition to all-electric systems.
Join us as we review a quick overview of using this tool to generate a draft home energy score for existing or new residential housing projects. We will discuss using the tool and technical information to evaluate building envelope, air sealing, HVAC, water heater, and solar to determine a home's potential home energy score and energy-saving opportunities. We will also discuss how this tool may align with the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits/rebates, GreenStar Homes Certification, and local home resale disclosure laws.
What you need
During this meeting, we will be going through the tool, so please have it up to walk through guest.hescore.labworks.org/guest-access
Prerequisite knowledge
Before this meeting, you might want to watch our introductory webinars, The Basics of residential green building systems energy part 1 - 3. Professionals and raters may wish to also watch the intro to home energy score webinar, Comparing the residential energy efficiency rating systems. You are not required to follow along, though.
Who is this for?
Homeowners, renters, designers, architects, developers, HVAC, property owners, realtors, rebate managers, home inspectors, raters and more!
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Water, Place
• AIBD
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
Lessons Learned
1. Review how to use a US DOE Home Energy Score tool to make informed decisions about healthy and efficient home design
2. Articulate the benefits of energy, carbon and cost savings by changing home design and improving safety or conservation
3. Understand how the home energy score assessment and outcomes tie into bigger green building standards for the welfare of the occupants
4. Know where to get more information to get officially certified scores to ensure a more sustainable home.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/diy-home-energy-scores-ratings
*Please note that this does not lead to an official score. You can go here to learn more about receiving an official home energy score or becoming trained to deliver official scores in your region.
Thank you to our sponsors who make this possible!
