Energy Efficient Benefits

Because of the building materials and techniques used by Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, our homes meet the following energy-efficient standards:

Home Energy Rating Systems

The HERS Index is a scoring system established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) in which a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference Home (based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code) scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero energy home scores a HERS Index of 0. The lower a home’s HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is in comparison to the HERS Reference Home.

Existing homes today typically score between 120-150. Iowa Valley Habitat's most recent energy efficient home received a 53 HERS Index, meaning the home is 47% more energy efficient than the HERS Reference Home.

EPA Indoor airPLUS

A partnership between EPA, builders, raters, and other allies, the Indoor airPLUS program improves indoor air quality by including more than 30 additional home design and construction features to help protect homeowners from a host of health problems associated with poor indoor air quality, including eye irritation, allergies, headaches, and respiratory problems such as asthma. Iowa Valley Habitat homes offer moisture control, radon control, pest barriers, improved heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, combustion pollutant control, low emission materials, and third party verification.

ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The mark identifies new homes, buildings, and more than 50 types of products that are energy efficient and offer the features, quality, and performance today’s consumers expect. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC) and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.