Ratings help increase competition among rated homes by providing a basis for comparison. Ratings provide the economic data necessary to make tradeoffs among competing housing components, i.e., more efficient windows versus increased wall insulation. Energy ratings provide a comparative economic analysis that is more easily understood by buyers, lenders and appraisers and can be prominently displayed by sellers. Energy ratings give an overall assessment of the whole house versus individual components. Most ratings are computer-based, allowing raters to perform complex analysis with relative ease.
Performance analysis encourages design beyond prescriptive code requirements.
Energy raters can reduce the workload and the number of public code inspection personnel required. Integrating HERS and codes can the shift cost of code compliance from the public to the private sector. Building performance professionals, working with code officials, can help introduce building science concepts to the housing industry. Code changes can be more easily upgraded if performance concepts are accepted in the field. More effective code compliance is assured due to added documentation and site inspections.