The EnergySmart Home Scale was created by the Department of Energy (DOE) for the National Builders Challenge and is directly tied to the RESNET HERS Index. 

The Builders Challenge is a voluntary effort to provide participating homebuilders an easy way to differentiate the best energy-performing homes from other products in the marketplace, and to make the benefits clear to buyers.

DOE's long-term plan is that, by 2030, a consumer will have the opportunity to buy a cost-neutral, net-zero energy home (NZEH) anywhere in the United States.  A grid-connected home that, over the course of a year, produces as much energy as it uses.  The Builders Challenge establishes a framework for continuous improvement that will help move the market toward zero-energy performance.

The Builders Challenge is being implemented through collaborative efforts by the U.S. Department of Energy with individual states, building industry associations, building trades, colleges and universities, consumer organizations, rating organizations, realtors, utilities, lenders, and energy efficiency program sponsors.  

There are only about a dozen Maine builders participating in the Builders Challenge today.

To learn more please contact MABEP HERS.