ERHC is now devoted to promoting residential energy efficiency by providing information to consumers, to lenders, to real estates professionals, and to builders. ERHC has had a number of successes. Key among these is its new rating tool. The software is the first of its kind to provide raters with direct access to hourly weather data simulations through an interactive, user-friendly rating system accessible over the Internet. The most important program outcome is the 4,900 ratings performed.
Half are new construction, and half are existing housing stock.
A subset of existing homes had follow-up ratings after energy improvement upgrades were installed. Twenty of these builders signed up as E-Star Builders. Many builders signed on to the program without a demonstration rating, but took advantage of the six free initial ratings offered. At the end of 1999, over 80 builders were registered as E-Star Builders. Regarding energy efficient mortgage activity, FHA alone has insured 1,106 Energy Efficient Mortgages in Colorado between 1996 and 1998.