Your Home’s Energy Score Could Be a Game Changer
- ICE Mortgage Technology
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 35 minutes ago
As the nation gears up for the Big Game, everyone’s talking numbers — yards gained, interceptions, and those jaw-dropping ad costs. But homeowners can put points on the board year-round by focusing on a different number: your Home Energy Score. It’s not just any number — it’s a strategy for saving money, improving comfort, and increasing your home’s value.
Why Your Home Energy Score Matters
The Home Energy Score is a way to measure the efficiency of your current home or one you hope to buy.
Utility bills aren’t as pricey as a 30-second ad spot, but they do hit your wallet every month. The average household spends about $2,700 in energy costs every year, or over $225 per month.[1] Improving your score can:
How Does the Scoring Work?
Think of it as a miles-per-gallon rating for your house. Developed by the Department of Energy (DOE), the Home Energy Score rates homes on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the most energy efficient.
The score is based on your home’s envelope (foundation, roof, walls, insulation, windows), plus square footage and major systems like heating, cooling, and hot water. It doesn’t factor in resident behavior or temporary items like lighting and appliances.
Energy use in a home that scores a 5 is comparable to the average U.S. home. Homes scoring a perfect 10 may still have room for improvement, though they rank among the most efficient — using less energy than 90% of homes (accounting for local climate). At the other end of the spectrum, a score of 1 means the home uses more energy than 85% of U.S. homes, also factoring in climate.[2]
One Score, Many Advantages
Your Home Energy Score can impact savings, comfort, and resale value no matter where you are in the game:
Buyers: A higher score means lower monthly energy bills and less financial risk. Research shows that lower energy bills are correlated with lower odds of 30-day mortgage delinquency, meaning you’re more likely to make your mortgage payment on time.[3] Plus, you may even be able to qualify for a larger loan amount through an Energy Efficient Mortgage, giving you more buying power.
Sellers: Each 1-point increase in the Home Energy Score correlates with about a 0.5% higher sales price.[4] Disclosing your energy costs can help your home sell faster and closer to the asking price, too.[5] Ask your agent to include the score in the MLS listings and share sample utility bills.
Owners: Your Home Energy Score Report will do far more than evaluate your current energy usage; it will also offer cost-effective solutions to boost your home’s rating. You’ll have the playbook you need to improve comfort and efficiency now while investing in resale value later.
To get an official score, you’ll need to locate a Home Energy Score Certified Assessor. Start with the DOE’s Home Energy Score partner list, or contact a nationwide partner like Earth Advantage or InterNACHI, who can connect you with a certified assessor anywhere in the U.S.
How to Boost Your Score
Investing in efficiency improvements yields both immediate cost savings (up to several hundred dollars annually) and future market value enhancement. While your Home Energy Score Report will provide cost-effective options for improving your score, there’s no need to wait. You can make improvements even before your assessment. Implementing changes early may be particularly helpful to sellers who want to optimize their score before putting their home on the market.
Touchdown Takeaway
With your Home Energy Score in hand, you can save on your energy bills and add to your home’s value.
Ready to score big? Visit the DOE’s website to find a certified assessor and start winning on energy efficiency.
Winning Play: Energy Efficient Mortgages
Knowing your score could unlock Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) options. These allow qualified borrowers to obtain a larger mortgage by factoring in lower utility costs. EEMs can finance:
The purchase of an energy-efficient home
Efficiency upgrades to your current home
Construction of a new energy-smart home
Sound interesting? Your Loan Officer can tell you more!
Sources:
Home Energy Club, “Average Utility Bills by State (2025 Update),” September 10, 2025.
Better Buildings® U.S. Department of Energy, “Understanding Your Home Energy Score.”
U.S. Department of Energy, “Study Finds Home Energy Score Positively Linked to Sale Price and Loan Performance,” November 1, 2022.
Energy Star, “Better Resale Value.”
Elevate Energy, “Energy Cost Disclosure in Residential Listings in Chicago: A Preliminary Snapshot.”