The Home Energy Score is similar to a vehicle's miles-per-gallon rating. It helps homeowners and homebuyers understand how much energy a home is expected to use and provides suggestions for improving its energy efficiency. It also allows homeowners to compare the energy performance of their homes to other homes nationwide.

The Home Energy Score includes:

1) The Score itself,

2) Facts about the home including data collected and energy use breakdown

3) Recommendations to improve the Score and the energy efficiency of the home.

The process starts with a Home Energy Score Assessor collecting energy information during a brief home walk-through. Using the Home Energy Scoring Tool, developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Assessor scores the home on a scale of 1 to 10. A score of 10 indicates that the home has excellent energy performance. A score of 1 indicates the home needs extensive energy improvements.