--- title: SIPs and the HERS Index - Dare To Go Low description: The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index shows how well a home performs energy-wise and is the recognized system for calculating energy performance. image: https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Thies%20energy%20rating.jpg --- [![Enercept Structural Insulated Panels](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20copy.gif?width=1643&height=903&name=Logo%20copy.gif "Enercept Structural Insulated Panels")](http://www.enercept.com) The Future Of Framing [Content Title](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-and-the-hers-index-dare-to-go-low#) Description < Previous page Next page > Menu [Content Title](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-and-the-hers-index-dare-to-go-low#) Description < Previous page Next page > ### ABOUT ### Applications ### Products ### Resources ### Find Enercept ### Projects ### CONTACT ### Categories Filter Here - [SIPs (124)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sips) - [Structural Insulated Panels (71)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/structural-insulated-panels) - 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[homebuilders (1)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/homebuilders) - [sipshabitathouse (1)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sipshabitathouse) ### Recent Posts ![NewTown-31](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/NewTown-31.jpg) [SIPs Underground; Five Smart Reasons to Use Below-Grade SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-underground-five-smart-reasons-to-use-below-grade-sips) ![](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/IMG_1570.jpeg) [Do Higher Lumber Prices Make Building With SIPs More Attractive?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/do-higher-lumber-prices-make-building-with-sips-more-attractive) ![](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Weaver.jpg) [Are SIPs Right for Your Build? 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Developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), the rating lets you know how well a home performs energy-wise and is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home's energy performance. The lower the score, the better.  According to the  U.S. Department of Energy, a typical resale home scores 130 on the [HERS Index](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/what-makes-a-building-green) while a home built to the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code is awarded a rating of 100. - **A home with a HERS Index Score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than the RESNET Reference Home.** - **A home with a HERS Index Score of 130 is 30% less energy efficient than the RESNET Reference Home.** According to the Structural Insulated Panel Association, there were over 2,000 homes in the United States receiving a HERS Index of 40 or less in 2017. Colorado leads the way with 502 homes below 40. How low can you go with SIPs construction? **The Enercept Home pictured here and located in Divide, Colorado, has a HERS Index of 19. **![SUSTAINABLITY Thies 19 HERS 1](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SUSTAINABLITY%20Thies%2019%20HERS%201.jpg?width=725&name=SUSTAINABLITY%20Thies%2019%20HERS%201.jpg) While this is well under the HERS 40 threshold, it still has quite a way to go before reaching net-zero standards. [Zero Energy Project.org](https://zeroenergyproject.org/) cites 11 integrated steps to achieve affordable Zero Energy Home Construction: 1. Start with Smart Design 2. Use Energy Modeling 3. Super-Seal the Building Envelope 4. Super-Insulate the Building Envelope 5. Heat Water Wisely 6. Use Highly Insulated Windows and Doors 7. Use the Sun for Solar Tempering 8. Select an Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling System 9. Install Energy Efficient Lighting 10.  Select Energy Efficient Appliances and Electronics 11. Use the Sun for Renewable Energy As you can see, building with super energy-efficient structural insulated panels can play a big role in achieving a tight building envelope. The superior insulating quality of the solid foam core creates an air tight  envelope with little or no thermal bridging. When combined with the other measures listed above, it is easy to imagine how easy it would be to go low ... to go Net Zero. In this video Ted Clifton explains building to Net Zero Energy very well:       [![Get more information from Enercept](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3823653/ed6e7a63-4072-47df-b86a-70d6b0f8e85c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3823653/ed6e7a63-4072-47df-b86a-70d6b0f8e85c) Topics: [Energy Efficiency](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/energy-efficiency), [Home Energy Score](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/home-energy-score), [SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sips) ### you may also like ![Are SIPs Right for Your Build? 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Early is Best!](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/blower-door-testing-early) ![Frost Ghosting: Thermal Imaging Without Equipment](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Thermal%20Bridging.jpg) #### [Frost Ghosting: Thermal Imaging Without Equipment](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/frost-ghosting) ![Now is the Perfect Time to Build Your Dream Home with Sustainable, Energy-Efficient SIPs!](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/ENERGY-STAR-SIP-House-Ladue-MO-Kinsella-exterior-1-1-1.jpg) #### [Now is the Perfect Time to Build Your Dream Home with Sustainable, Energy-Efficient SIPs!](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/now-is-the-perfect-time-to-build-your-dream-home-with-sustainable-energy-efficient-sips) ![How You Could Save Mortgage Interest](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/IMG_3942.jpg) #### [How You Could Save Mortgage Interest](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/how-you-could-save-on-your-mortgage-interest) [![logosmallwebsite](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logosmallwebsite.png?width=113&name=logosmallwebsite.png "logosmallwebsite")](https://www.enercept.com/) ### CONTACT US: 3100 9th Ave SE Watertown, SD 57201 Phone: ([605) 882-2222](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-and-the-hers-index-dare-to-go-low#) Fax: ([605) 882-2753](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-and-the-hers-index-dare-to-go-low#) E-mail: [info@enercept.com](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-and-the-hers-index-dare-to-go-low#) ### ABOUT ### Products ### Applications ### Resources ### Find Enercept ### Projects [Terms & Conditions](http://www.enercept.com/terms-conditions) [Privacy Policy](http://www.enercept.com/privacy-policy) [Site Map](https://www.enercept.com/sitemap) © Copyright 2018 Enercept, Inc. 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