Brightwater
Q: What is special about a HERS®-Rated home?
A: HERS sets a house apart as each receives a nationally recognized rating/score. While there are numerous certifications in the market, HERS provides a national standard that we can use to compare our builds against a baseline and other builds around our markets and the country.
Q: Why should consumers ask for the HERS Index Score on homes they are shopping for?
A: As buyers become more educated on their home’s performance and energy usage, the HERS gives them a snapshot of what to expect. It’s a big part of changing our perspective of a house from just the space we live in to an interactive and controlled environment and “device”.
Q: Why does your company choose to have its homes HERS-Rated?
A: We see the value of applying a standard that is widely recognized to our builds and the HERS score is a part of the DOE Efficient New Homes and Energy Star Homes certifications that we achieve on every build. We can say that we build “high performance”, but having a third party inspector provide multiple inspections gives us outside accountability and a consistent standard to compare to other builds.
Q: Why should consumers expect energy-efficient homes?
A: There is an increasing demand for energy and homes are a significant portion of that. Buyers should expect builders to build homes that use energy efficiently so they can save money and be aware of their impact on the environment and energy grid.
Q: How many homes does your company build with HERS Ratings every year?
A: 100% of our homes are certified as DOE Efficient New Homes, ENERGY STAR Rated and score an average of 45 HERS.
Q: How do you market HERS-Rated homes?
A: At Brightwater, we view the HERS score as more than just a rating — it is a tangible way to communicate the performance, comfort, and long-term value of our homes. We prominently feature the score on our website and incorporate it into our marketing materials to help buyers understand the measurable benefits of a more energy-efficient home. We include the HERS score in the MLS listing to ensure agents and buyers have access to this important information early in the search process. We also highlight it in email campaigns, social media, and community marketing efforts, focusing on what the score means for homeowners — including potential energy savings, improved indoor comfort, healthier indoor air quality, and reduced environmental impact. Rather than simply promoting a number, we use the HERS rating as a tool to educate buyers on the value of high-performance construction and how investing in a more efficient home can provide benefits for years to come.
Q: How do your customers feel about HERS-Rated homes?
A: Educating buyers about HERS-rated homes is an important part of the sales process. Many buyers are not familiar with the HERS score when they begin their search, so we focus on explaining what it measures and how it translates into real-life benefits — greater comfort, healthier indoor air quality, improved efficiency, and potential energy savings. The HERS rating also provides buyers with an objective way to compare the performance of our homes against other builders and understand the value of investing in a better-performing home.
Q: What Rating Company do you work with on your HERS-Rated homes?
A: Green Home GA, Ensign (GA) and Pathlight (SC). Most of this value is described above, but it provides tremendous value for us to have a partner “inspector” comb every house to ensure that it will perform to the standards that we have designed it to.
Q: What specific value has your HERS Rater brought to your projects?
A: Our HERS Rater is an important partner in helping us deliver homes that perform at a higher level. Through independent verification and performance testing, they provide valuable insight into how our homes are functioning and help ensure our building practices meet our high standards. Their expertise allows us to confidently communicate the benefits of energy-efficient construction while giving buyers the assurance that the comfort, efficiency, and durability of our homes are backed by measurable results.
