Would you ever purchase a car without first checking its fuel economy, or miles-per-gallon rating? Probably not; however, many homeowners do not know their home's "fuel economy," or energy efficiency rating. While the MPG (miles per gallon/fuel economy) rating is on the window sticker on new cars, the rating for a home is almost as easy to determine and being able to understand and improve your home's rating can save you up to $400 dollars every year according to the Maryland Energy Administration.

Whether you are a current homeowner considering green remodeling projects or a potential homebuyer, it is important to determine the home's efficiency rating. Homes that are more energy efficient are certainly better for the environment, but they're easier on your monthly budget as well. Two national programs can help you determine your home's efficiency:

HERS or the Home Energy Rating System

EnergySmart Home Scale, or E-Scale

The HERS program combines analysis of a home's building plans with onsite inspections. During an inspection, a certified HERS rater determines the home's efficiency through tests that find door and duct leaks and other energy drains. The home's rating is based on the HERS Index, which runs from zero to 100. The closer to zero on the scale, the more energy efficient a home is.

The U.S. Department of Energy developed the E-Scale program to help you make informed energy decisions, whether you are updating, buying or renting a home. The E-Scale answers questions like:

Will this house save me money on energy costs?

How does this home compare to other, "typical" energy-use homes?

Does this home compare favorably with a Net-Zero Energy home which is one that creates virtually no emissions and actually creates as much energy as it uses?

E-Scale inspections are conducted by authorized energy raters who are certified by the Residential Energy Services Network. E-Scale evaluations identify and compare factors such as:

Monthly energy bills
Gas and electric usage on an annual basis
Energy performance of existing "typical" homes in the area
New homes built to code are rated for energy performance
Verified performance estimate of your home

After analyzing your home's energy use or "miles-per-gallon," the inspector will rate your home on a scale from 150, which is the least energy-efficient -- to zero, which is the most energy-efficient. The goal is to score as close to Net-Zero Energy as possible.

By getting reports on your home, you'll be able to identify its energy efficiency rating which makes it easier to make better decisions about how to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly during a remodel. Homeowners all across America can find more information about green remodels from a variety of online resources.

Make sure you are getting the best if you are looking for Boston, NYC, Chicago construction supplies or anywhere else in the United States. ProBuild has the quality building materials in Philadelphia, Dallas and many more locations for all your construction needs.

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