Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC, builds homes with a commitment to quality, energy efficiency, and lasting affordability. Every new home receives an independent HERS® rating, helping the affiliate verify energy performance and support its goal of keeping homeownership costs manageable for families.
For more than 25 years, the affiliate has partnered with Southern Energy Management to strengthen energy efficiency through plan reviews, construction inspections, and final testing. The affiliate currently builds approximately 20 new homes annually, with plans to increase production to 30 homes in 2027.
In this month’s RESNET® Builder of the Month Q&A, Richard Turlington, Vice President of Construction, shares how HERS ratings support the affiliate’s mission and why energy-efficient construction is an essential part of affordable housing.
What is special about a HERS rated home?
A HERS rating shows how much energy a home is expected to consume. A score of zero represents a Net Zero home, meaning the home consumes no net energy—typically because it generates as much energy as it uses. Homes with lower HERS Index scores are more energy efficient, use fewer natural resources, and can help homeowners lower their energy bills.
Why should consumers ask for the HERS index score on homes they are shopping for?
It’s helpful to understand how energy efficient a home is. If you are involved at the beginning of the building process, ask the builder what steps they are taking to achieve energy efficiency, what those measures cost, and whether those costs are being passed on to you. If you are entering the process near completion, the HERS Index score provides assurance that the home was designed and built to perform well.
Why does your company choose to have their homes HERS rated?
Because we build affordable housing, we are especially committed to making sure our homeowners do not face unnecessarily high energy bills after they move in. This is part of a broader strategy to reduce the operating and maintenance costs of our homes. We want to do everything we can to keep those costs affordable, and a HERS rating provides proof and assurance to our homeowners that we have built what we promised.
Why should consumers expect energy efficient homes?
It is easier than ever to build energy-efficient homes, and today’s building code requires a higher baseline than it has in the past. However, energy efficiency still requires investment, and as costs continue to rise, some companies may look for ways to cut expenses. I do not think consumers should simply assume a home is energy efficient; they should ask for that information. A HERS rating provides proof that the home performs as expected.
How many homes does your company build with HERS ratings every year?
We currently average about 20 new homes per year and plan to increase to 30 homes per year in 2027. All of our homes receive HERS Index scores, achieve a Silver Rating through the National Green Building Standard, and qualify for the Duke Energy-sponsored HERO and SystemVision energy efficiency programs.
How do you market HERS rated homes?
Communicating the energy efficiency of our homes helps dispel the myth that affordable housing is poor-quality housing. People are often surprised by the steps we take to ensure both the quality and energy efficiency of our homes.
How do your customers feel about HERS rated homes?
I hope our homeowners appreciate it. Some homebuyers are very interested in the measures we take to make each home energy efficient, while many are simply glad when their home is comfortable and their power bills are low. Energy efficiency plays a major role in both. In our new Weavers Grove neighborhood, the homes feel conditioned even before the HVAC system is turned on because they are so well sealed.
What rating company do you work with, and can you talk about how working with them helps achieve your goals of building energy-efficient homes?
We have worked with Southern Energy Management for more than 25 years. They have been excellent partners—strong communicators, willing collaborators, and thoughtful problem solvers. They understand our work as a Habitat affiliate and help us identify practical ways to improve. When we begin a new development, they talk through what we need to do and help us determine the best path forward.
What specific value has your HERS Rater brought to your projects?
In general, it is valuable for a builder to have an energy efficiency expert reviewing its homes. Southern Energy Management does not simply conduct tests at the end of construction; they also inspect the homes before drywall is installed, which helps catch issues we may have missed. That added layer of review is important. When we introduce a new development or house plan, they also audit our plans and show us how we can further improve the efficiency of the homes.
