Choose the type from the dropdown menu. If Cathedral Ceiling is chosen the insulation value must be entered under “Roof: Insulation Level”, as the Attic floor insulation data entry field will become hidden.

The attic floor area (sq. ft.) must be entered for the home. In many homes this will be the same size as the upper floor 'footprint' you measured in order to calculate the conditioned floor area.

If there is more than one roof or attic type, check 'Enter a second roof / attic'. Additional fields will be displayed so that the characteristics of a second roof/attic type can be entered.

If there are more than two roof/attic types, combine those that are most similar to narrow down the variables to just two and use the Assessor Calculator to perform a UA calculation in order to determine the overall insulation R-value of the combined types. For example, if one third of a home's roof/attic is an unconditioned attic with R-38 insulation, one third is an unconditioned attic with R-19 insulation, and one third is a cathedral ceiling with R-15 insulation, combine the two unconditioned attics and calculate the R-value for that combination. Enter the unconditioned attic combined area as Roof / Attic 1 with the calculated closest available insulation R-value (round down if exactly in-between choices) entered under Attic floor insulation; enter the cathedral ceiling area as Roof / Attic 2, with the closest available insulation R-value entered in the Insulation Level field below Cathedral ceiling area.

The cathedral/vaulted ceiling (sloped roof) area must be entered for the home. In order to get an accurate area calculation for the cathedral/vaulted ceiling areas, please use the ‘Cathedral/Vaulted Ceiling Area’ calculator on the ‘Areas Calculator’ tab of the Assessor Calculator spreadsheet or use the version here in the Home Energy Scoring Tool”.

If there is more than one roof or attic type, check 'Enter a second roof / attic'. Additional fields will be displayed so that the characteristics of a second roof/attic type can be entered.

If there are more than two roof/attic types, combine those that are most similar to narrow down the variables to just two and use the Assessor Calculator to perform a UA calculation in order to determine the overall insulation R-value of the combined types. For example, if one third of a home's roof/attic is an unconditioned attic with R-38 insulation, one third is an unconditioned attic with R-19 insulation, and one third is a cathedral ceiling with R-15 insulation, combine the two unconditioned attics and calculate the R-value for that combination. Enter the unconditioned attic combined area as Roof / Attic 1 with the calculated closest available insulation R-value (round down if exactly in-between choices) entered under Attic floor insulation; enter the cathedral ceiling area as Roof / Attic 2, with the closest available insulation R-value entered in the Insulation Level field below Cathedral ceiling area.

The flat roof area (sq. ft.) must be entered for the home. In multi-story homes this will be the same size as the upper floor 'footprint' you measured in order to calculate the conditioned floor area.

If there is more than one roof or attic type, check 'Enter a second roof / attic'. Additional fields will be displayed so that the characteristics of a second roof/attic type can be entered.

If there are more than two roof/attic types, combine those that are most similar to narrow down the variables to just two and use the Assessor Calculator to perform a UA calculation in order to determine the overall insulation R-value of the combined types. For example, if one third of a home's roof/attic is an unconditioned attic with R-38 insulation, one third is an unconditioned attic with R-19 insulation, and one third is a cathedral ceiling with R-15 insulation, combine the two unconditioned attics and calculate the R-value for that combination. Enter the unconditioned attic combined area as Roof / Attic 1 with the calculated closest available insulation R-value (round down if exactly in-between choices) entered under Attic floor insulation; enter the cathedral ceiling area as Roof / Attic 2, with the closest available insulation R-value entered in the Insulation Level field below Cathedral ceiling area.

The ceiling area (sq. ft.) for a bowstring roof must be entered for the home. This should be the same size as the floor 'footprint' you measured in order to calculate the conditioned floor area.

If there is more than one roof or attic type, check 'Enter a second roof / attic'. Additional fields will be displayed so that the characteristics of a second roof/attic type can be entered.

If there are more than two roof/attic types, combine those that are most similar to narrow down the variables to just two and use the Assessor Calculator to perform a UA calculation in order to determine the overall insulation R-value of the combined types. For example, if one third of a home's roof/attic is an unconditioned attic with R-38 insulation, one third is an unconditioned attic with R-19 insulation, and one third is a cathedral ceiling with R-15 insulation, combine the two unconditioned attics and calculate the R-value for that combination. Enter the unconditioned attic combined area as Roof / Attic 1 with the calculated closest available insulation R-value (round down if exactly in-between choices) entered under Attic floor insulation; enter the cathedral ceiling area as Roof / Attic 2, with the closest available insulation R-value entered in the Insulation Level field below Cathedral ceiling area.

Knee Walls are vertical building assemblies attached to attic floors that have similar heat-transfer characteristics, as they have one surface facing conditioned space and an opposite surface facing unconditioned attic. Use the Knee Wall Area Calculator button if you need assistance determining the area(s) of knee walls.

Enter the predominant color of the roof based on these descriptions:

This input is required if roof color is set to "Cool Color". The value should be between 0.1 and 1.0.

CRRC rates products for solar reflectance (SR) rather than absorptance, so if the homeowner has the manufacturer's measured SR rather than absorptance enter a value equal to (1 - SR).

Enter the insulation level on the attic floor.

For cathedral ceilings, choose "Cathedral Ceiling" as the Attic or ceiling type and enter the insulation level in the Cathedral celing insulation field.

The foundation floor area (sq. ft.) must be entered for the home. In many homes this will be the same size as the lower floor 'footprint' you measured to calculate the conditioned floor area, taking into consideration any cantilevered areas and/or bump-outs, etc.

If there is more than one foundation type, check 'Enter a second foundation / floor'. Additional fields will be displayed so that the characteristics of a second foundation/floor type can be entered.

If there are more than two foundation/floor types, combine the most similar types to narrow down the variables to just two and use the Assessor Calculator to perform a UA calculation in order to determine the overall insulation R-value. See the example in the Attic floor area tool tip.

If different parts of the home have different foundation types, select the type that underlies the largest floor area. If the home is a split-level or tri-level, select the type for the part of the home that is at ground level.

Slab-on-Grade

This is a poured concrete foundation that rests on the soil surface, at grade.

Unconditioned Basement

Unconditioned basements do not have heating or cooling supplied directly to the space; i.e., there are no duct registers or radiators in the space.

Conditioned Basements

Conditioned basements have heating or cooling supplied directly to the space, i.e. there are duct registers or radiators supplying space conditioning. The walls may or may not be finished.

Unvented Crawlspace

The home is on a raised foundation, with airspace under the floor. Unvented crawlspaces do not have open vents to the outside, and may be warmer than vented crawlspaces.

Vented Crawlspace

The home is on a raised foundation, with airspace under the floor. Vented crawlspaces have vents to the outside, so the air under the home is close to the same temperature as the outside air. homes on stilts or open foundations would also fall into this category.

Above Other Unit

For a multifamily building unit the dwelling unit floor in this area is entirely above anther conditioned dwelling unit.

Belly and Wing

For a manufactured home select this characteristic when a chassis is present. If no chassis is present (typical for double and triple wides) select another option.

Floor insulation is the insulation installed to the underside of the floor over unconditioned spaces.

There are 2 insulation entries under the Foundation heading. Both must have a value entered for the tool to run - enter R-0 for the field that does not apply. For example if the home has a crawlspace with R-19 insulation between the floor joists, enter the floor insulation as R-19 and the foundation insulation as R-0.

Foundation insulation is insulation added to the foundation walls (conditioned crawlspace or conditioned basement) or slab edge to reduce the amount of heat transferred through it. Most homes do not have foundation insulation. If you don't know whether the home has it, answer "no."

There are 2 insulation entries under the Foundation heading. Both must have a value entered for the tool to run - enter R-0 for the field if there is no insulation. For example a typical basement will often have no insulation on the walls and no insulation in the floor cavities above, so you should enter R-0 for the floor insulation and R-0 for the foundation insulation.

If the home is a stand-alone single family residence select "No".

If the home has a common or a shared wall or walls with other homes, select "Yes". This includes townhomes, townhomes, rowhomes, and duplexes. If Yes is chosen the "Position of Townhome Unit" selections will become available.

Note: For the purpose of the Scoring Tool, townhomes are considered single family (attached) residences. The Scoring Tool is not appropriate for most multifamily housing at this time.

Choose the position of the unit as one is observing the front (main entrance side) of the home from the street. The selections are "Middle" for non-end units, and "Left" and "Right" for end units. Depending on the selections, the appropriate wall construction entries will become available.

If the exterior walls are of similar construction, insulation and/or finish on all sides of the home select "Yes". If some exterior walls have differences in construction, insulation and/or finish from other sides of the home, select "No". Selecting "No" will provide additional fields to enter the wall data for each side of the home.

If any side(s) of a home has different types of wall construction on the same side(s), select the predominate type (i.e. the type that is the largest in area) for each side that has more than one wall construction type.

Right and Left refer to the perspective as one faces the front of the home.

Select the appropriate wall construction from the drop down choices. For a log home, choose "Wood Frame".

Choose the appropriate exterior wall finish or cladding from the drop down list. If the exterior wall finish or cladding is not listed, select the entry that is most similar in characteristics.

For a log home, the insulation level should be equal to R-1 per inch of wall thickness.

Enter the date the majority of the home was built. For example, if the home was an 800 ft² bungalow built in 1950, but a 1500 ft² addition was added in 1975, enter the year built as 1975.

Select the number of bedrooms (between 1 and 10) in the home/dwelling unit. A bedroom is a room purposely built as such and defined as such by local ordinance.

Single-Family Detached	These homes are not attached to other dwelling units, but can be attached to a garage.
Townhouse/Rowhouse/Duplex	These homes are horizontally attached with their own foundation and roof. Multifamily Building Unit – These are dwelling units within a multifamily building. The dwelling unit can be attached to adjacent units in any direction.
Multifamily Building Unit	These are dwelling units within a multifamily building. The dwelling unit can be attached to adjacent units in any direction.
Manufactured Home	These include single-wide, double-wide, and triple-wide homes delivered to a site on a chassis. Mobile homes on a foundation with permanent utilities attached are characterized as single-wide. Panelized, modular, and floating homes cannot be modeled at this time. For manufactured homes with site-built additions, contact assessor@ee.doe.gov.

Select a value between 1 and 4. For homes built into a hillside, (e.g., one floor above ground level on one side, two floors above ground level on the other side, or a walk-out basement), characterize the home as if it had one floor above ground level and characterize the foundation as a conditioned basement. For Cape Cod and Split-Level homes the "half" floor should be counted as an above grade floor, e.g. a typical Cape Cod with conditioned 2nd floor should be entered as 2 stories.

This is the total floor area for the home/dwelling unit that is intentionally heated and/or cooled, including conditioned basements and conditioned attics. Do not use commas in the entry. Unconditioned spaces should NOT be part of the total, including all crawlspaces, as well as garages, unconditioned basements, etc. To calculate conditioned floor area, include the total ft² floor area for all stories of the home. For example, if the home has a 40 x 30 ft conditioned 1st floor, a 30 x 20 ft conditioned 2nd floor, and a 20 x 30 ft unconditioned garage, the number to enter would be 1800 ft² (4030 + 3020 = 1200+600 = 1800) - the garage is excluded. If this home also has a conditioned basement with the same footprint as the first floor, the number to enter would be 3000. The conditioned floor area should not include any crawlspace area, conditioned or otherwise.

From the drop-down menu, select the closest compass direction that the front of the home faces (the front of the home being the side with the main entrance). See Data Entry Guidelines for additional details.

For a multifamily building unit, select the closest compass direction that an exterior wall with window(s) faces – pick any exterior wall with windows and assign it's orientation as "Front" wall.

If a blower door test was conducted on the home, click “Yes” and then enter the CFM50 test result in the Air Leakage Rate field. Please note: DO NOT enter an ACH50 or a ACHn value – only the CFM50 value will accurately impact the Score. If no blower door test was conducted on the home, or the results from a test are not available, click “No”.

Note: this is assumed to be an unguarded blower door test for multifamily and single-family attached units.

If a blower door test was conducted, enter the measured air leakage rate in cubic feet per minute at 50 Pascals pressure (CFM50), between 1 and 25000 (no commas). If this number is not available then the Blower Door test question should be changed to "No".

Note: this is assumed to be an unguarded blower door test for multifamily and single-family attached units.

Answer "No" unless specific efforts have been made to professionally seal the majority of the air leaks (thermal bypasses) in the home.

The Assessment Type is used to track the progression of official assessments for a home, and to distinguish official from unofficial assessments. Assessors may choose from Test, Initial, or Preconstruction. Mentees may choose from Mentor or Test.

This field is optional and is used by some Home Energy Score Partner programs for tracking purposes.

Select the number of HVAC systems present. A single HVAC system is a heating unit and/or a cooling unit. If you select 2 the screen will expand to provide additional data entry fields. If there are more than two systems you'll need to combine the similar systems to form two groups. Multiple room (window) air conditioning units should be characterized as one unit.

You must enter the percent of the conditioned area served by the HVAC system. For each system, calculate (based on sq. ft.) or estimate the percentage of the home served by each system. The combined percentage of the two systems entered must equal 100. If there are more than two systems, combine similar systems and enter the system size-weighted efficiency, which can be determined using the Assessor Calculator.

For example, if a home is serviced by two heat pumps and one gas furnace, combine the two heat pumps as System 1 and calculate the weighted average efficiency (based the calculated efficiency of each heat pump and on the sq. ft. each unit serves). Enter the gas furnace as System 2.

Central gas furnace

Fueled by natural gas, central furnaces are connected to a duct system which distributes the hot air throughout the home. A gas furnace that is not connected to a duct system should be characterized as a Room (through-the-wall) furnace, even though it may be vented through a chimney or flue instead of through a wall.

Room (through-the-wall) gas furnace

Fueled by natural gas, these furnaces are not typically connected to a duct system. They provide heat for the room they are in, but can also be the heat source for several rooms.

Propane (LPG) furnace

The same as a central gas furnace but fueled by propane gas (LPG).

Oil furnace

The same as a central gas furnace but fueled by oil.

Electric furnace

The same as a central gas furnace but generates heat by electric resistance.

Electric heat pump

Provides heating in the winter and cooling in the summer by absorbing and transferring heat between the inside air and the outside air utilizing the same type of refrigeration cycle as an air conditioner, but with a reversing valve that facilitates heating and cooling modes. A central heat pump is connected to a duct system which distributes the conditioned air throughout the home, while a minisplit (typically ductless) system may consist of several units throughout the home with no ductwork.

Minisplit (ductless) heat pump

A minisplit heat pump system typically consists of 1 to 3 wall/ceiling units (diffusers/heads) connected by refrigerant lines to a central outside compressor. The system does not require ducts, although some systems are ducted (ducted minisplit systems should use the "Electric heat pump" system type). Minisplit systems are usually found in new high efficiency homes, additions, and as energy efficient retrofits for homes without existing ducts.

Electric baseboard heater

Electric resistance convectors located along the baseboards in each room produce radiant heat. Often each room (and sometimes each unit) has its own thermostat.

Gas boiler

Natural gas is used to heat water, which is pumped through pipes to radiators throughout the home (aka hydronic heating system), including radiant floor systems. A boiler system can be combined with the domestic hot water system to provide potable hot water in addition to space heating.

Oil boiler

The same as gas boiler, but fueld by fuel oil.

Electric boiler

The same as gas boiler, but fueld by electricity.

Ground coupled heat pump

Ground coupled heat pump (aka: ground source or geothermal heat pump) provides heating in the winter and cooling in the summer by absorbing and transferring heat between the inside air and the earth/soil underground. It may be connected to a duct system or a hydronic system for distribution of the heating and/or cooling throughout the home.

Wood Stove and Pellet Stove

The efficiencies for these two wood burning systems are assumed (60% and 78% respectively) so you will not need to enter efficiency values for them. The systems are also assumed to be either non-ducted or to have ducts that are within conditioned space, so you will not need to provide duct information unless there is central air conditioning as well. If the wood heating system in the home is used as supplemental heat, enter two heating systems and enter the Percent of conditioned floor area served by the system based on the amount of heat provided by the wood fueled system. For example, if the home has both a propane furnace and wood heat, and the wood is used approximately 40 percent of the time, then the propane system would serve 60% of the conditioned floor area and the wood heat would serve 40%. Or, if wood heat serves part of the home and a different fuel heats another part of the home, the percentage of the areas served by each system should be based on the percentage of each area's square footage.

If you know the rated efficiency of the heating system equipment select "Yes". If you do not know the heating system efficiency you should use the Home Energy Score Assessor Calculator^* (Equipment Efficiency Default Values tab) to determine the approximate efficiency of the equipment, in which case you would still select "Yes". The Equpment Efficiency Default Values are also provided in the Tool Tip located next to the Efficiency Value header. Only select "No" if you do not know the equipment efficiency and you are not able to determine the year of manuafcture. The year of manufacture can often be determined from the manufacture's data label/tag. If the date is coded in the serial number it can be looked up here: http://www.buildingcenter.org/. However, if the serial number configuration cannot be found via this method, please document the equipment installation and equipment label (legible or not) with photos and estimate the Year Installed, as supported by details from the photos and/or any customer documentation.

^*The Home Energy Score Calculator is available to Assessors and is located at the "Resources" link under Assessor Tools.

The heating efficiency value for a furnace or boiler is AFUE (typical range 60% - 99%) and must be entered as a decimal (i.e. .60 - .99).

The heating efficiency value for a heat pump is HSPF (typical range 7 - 9).

For closed loop ground-source heat pumps enter the ARI-330 32F COP rating.

Note: The AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance is located at http://www.ahridirectory.org

To determine the year of manufacture from the equipment serial number, go to www.buildingcenter.org

See below for default values.
*North: AK, CO, CT, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
*South: AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MD, MS, NV, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA

The "Year installed" should only be entered as a last resort, when you do not know the equipment efficiency and you are not able to determine the year of manufacture. The year can often be determined by the manufacturer's data label/tag on the equipment. If the date is coded in the serial number it can be looked up here: http://www.buildingcenter.org/. However, if the serial number configuration cannot be found via this method, please document the equipment installation and equipment label (legible or not) with photos and estimate the Year Installed, as supported by details from the photos and/or any customer documentation.

When the Year Installed is selected, the Home Energy Score will use a representative value for systems installed/manufactured that year. Choose 1970 for systems manufactured prior to 1970.

None

Select this option if there is no cooling equipment or if the only cooling equipment in the home is fans (whole home or portable).

Central air conditioner

The most common type is a split system, with indoor coils delivering cool air to the duct system, and an outdoor unit exhausting heat removed from the home. Central air conditioners are sized to cool the entire home.

Room air conditioner

Except for small apartments, room air conditioners are not considered a whole-home air conditioning system. Consisting of single units installed in wall cutouts or windows, room air conditioners generally provide cooling for individual rooms. Multiple room (window) air conditioning units should be characterized as one unit.

Electric heat pump

Provides heating in the winter and cooling in the summer by absorbing and transferring heat between the inside air and the outside air utilizing the same type of refrigeration cycle as an air conditioner, but with a reversing valve that facilitates heating and cooling modes. A central heat pump is connected to a duct system which distributes the conditioned air throughout the home, while a mini-split (typically ductless) system may consist of several units throughout the home with no ductwork. If electric heat pump is selected for Heating System it will automatically be selected for Cooling System, and vice versa.

Minisplit (ductless) heat pump

A minisplit heat pump system typically consists of 1 to 3 wall/ceiling units (diffusers/heads) connected by refrigerant lines to a central outside compressor. The system does not require ducts, although some systems are ducted (ducted minisplit systems should use the "Electric heat pump" system type). Minisplit systems are usually found in new high efficiency homes, additions, and as energy efficient retrofits for homes without existing ducts.

Ground coupled heat pump

Ground coupled heat pump (aka: ground source or geothermal heat pump) provides heating in the winter and cooling in the summer by absorbing and transferring heat between the inside air and the earth/soil underground. It may be connected to a duct system or a hydronic system for distribution of the heating and/or cooling throughout the home.

Direct evaporative cooling (aka swamp cooler)

An air conditioning system that works by drawing outside air through water saturated pads, thereby cooling the air (by evaporation) which is delievered to inside via a single, large duct. The system is usually mounted on the roof or high on an exterior wall; window units also exist. Evaporative coolers are typically found in areas with very low summer humidity, such as the desert southwest.

If you know the rated efficiency of the cooling system equipment select "Yes". If you do not know the cooling system efficiency you should use the Home Energy Score Assessor Calculator^* (Equipment Efficiency Default Values tab) to determine the approximate efficiency of the equipment, in which case you would still select "Yes". The Equipment Efficiency Default Values are also provided in the Tool Tip located next to the Efficiency Value. header.Only select "No" if you do not know the equipment efficiency and you are not able to determine the year of manufacture. The year of manufacture can often be determined from the manufacture's data label/tag. If the date is coded in the serial number it can be looked up here: http://www.buildingcenter.org/. However, if the serial number configuration cannot be found via this method, please document the equipment installation and equipment label (legible or not) with photos and estimate the Year Installed, as supported by details from the photos and/or any customer documentation.

^*The Home Energy Score Calculator is available to Assessors and is located at the "Resources" link under Assessor Tools.

The cooling efficiency value for a central air conditioner or heat pump is SEER (typical range range 8 - 21). The cooling efficiency value for a room air conditioner is EER (typical range 8 - 21).

For ground-source heat pumps using a closed loop, enter the ARI-330 77F EER rating. Note: The AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance is located at http://www.ahridirectory.org

To determine the year of manufacture from the equipment serial number, go to www.buildingcenter.org

See below for default values.
*North: AK, CO, CT, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
*South: AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MD, MS, NV, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA

The "Year installed" should only be entered as a last resort, when you do not konw the equipment efficiency and you are not able to determine th eyear of manufacture. The year can often be determined by the manufacturer's data label/tag on the equipment. If the date is coded in the serial number it can be looked up here: http://www.buildingcenter.org/. However, if the serial number configuration cannot be found via this method, please document the equipment installation and equipment label (legible or not) with photos and estimate the Year Installed, as supported by details from the photos and/or any customer documentation.

When the year installed/manufactured is selected the Home Energy Score will use a representative value for systems installed/manufactured that year. Choose 1970 for systems manufactured prior to 1970.

Ducts should only be considered sealed and/or insulated if the Assessor has visually verified them as such, i.e. duct mastic/spray foam/UL-181 tape on joints and insulation on (or in) the ducts, particularly in unconditioned areas. Select “Yes” if the majority of the ducts in the system are sealed.

Note: Ducts located in a concreate slab are consider sealed.

A duct leakage test measures the amount of leakage of conditioned air from the duct system. For Home Energy Score, this test must be measured as duct leakage to outside. Only select ‘Yes’ if you have the result from a duct leakage to outside test performed on this home and expressed as a CFM25 value.

A duct leakage to outside test must be performed by (or under the direct supervision of) a trained professional—typically a BPI Building Analyst, HERS Rater or certified Home Inspector—in order to produce a valid CFM25 measurement that utilizes the ‘leakage to outside’ method (this requires use of a blower door in conjunction with a duct tester). If you have the result of this type of test, enter that value here.

If the ducts are all located in one area that has similar characteristics throughout and the ducts all have similar characteristics, select the location description from the drop-down menu for Duct location 1, and enter 100 in the percentage field.

If there are ducts located in dissimilar areas of the home and/or have dissimilar characteristics, select each location from the drop-down menu and enter the percentage of ducts in that location (or with that characteristic) in the percentage field.

The total percentage for ducts entered must equal 100.

For each duct location selection, choose whether the ducts are insulated or not.

Do not enter any data here if the home does not have ducts.

If the ducts are all located in one area that has similar characteristics throughout and the ducts all have similar characteristics select the location description from the drop-down menu for Duct location 1, and enter 100 in the percentage field. If there are ducts located in dissimilar areas of the home and/or have dissimilar characteristics select each location from the drop-down menu and enter the percentage of ducts in that location (or with that characteristic) in the percentage field.

The total percentage for ducts entered must equal 100.

For each duct location selection, choose whether the ducts are insulated or not.

Do not enter any data here if the home does not have ducts.

Ducts should only be considered sealed and/or insulated if the Assessor has visually verified them as such, i.e. duct mastic/spray foam/UL-181 tape on joints and insulation on (or in) the ducts, particularly in unconditioned areas. For ducts located in a concrete slab, choose insulated: “No”; sealed: “Yes”.

From the drop down menu select the type that most closely matches the installed water heating system.

If the heating system is a boiler, options for combined types will be included in the menu. The efficiency of the combined water heater will be based on that of the boiler so the inputs for year installed and water heater efficiency will be hidden if one of these is selected.

SEPARATE TYPES:

Natural Gas Storage

A gas-fired conventional water heater with a storage tank

Propane Storage

A propane-fired conventional water heater with a storage tank

Oil Storage

An oil-fired conventional water heater with a storage tank

Heat Pump

Powered by electricity, extracts heat from the surrounding air and transfers it at a higher temperature into the heat water tank.

COMBINED TYPES:

Indirect

Combined with a boiler, the boiler heats a fluid that circulates through a heat exchanger within the storage tank

Tankless Coil

Combined with a boiler, unit provides hot water on demand without a tank

The efficiency of a combined water heating system will be based on the efficiency of the boiler, and so the inputs for water heater energy factor will be hidden if a combined system is selected.

If the water heater is a tankless model (aka: on-demand or instantaneous water heater) it should be characterized the same as a storage model that uses the same fuel. An electric tankless should be entered as Electric Storage, a natural gas tankless should be entered as Natural Gas Storage, and a propane tankless should be entered as Propane Storage.

Note: Energy Star water heater specification 2.0 does not include oil fired water heaters, so if the base case includes an oil fired water heater there will be no upgrade recommendation.

If you know the energy factor, indicate whether this is the standard energy factor (EF) or the Uniform Energy Factor (UEF). If you do not know the energy factor, please use the appropriate Equipment Efficiency Default Value from the Assessor Calculator.

The efficiency of a storage water heater is indicated by its Energy Factor (EF). If you know or have a good idea what the EF is, (check the EnergyGuide label on the water heater) enter it here, otherwise enter an installed year.

This number should be entered as a decimal (e.g. 0.55). The allowed range is 0.45 to 4.0. Combustion water heaters are typically between 0.5 and 0.65. Electric are typically between 0.8 and 0.95. Heat pump water heaters may be as high as 4.

If the efficiency value for the water heater is unknown, the year of manufacture should be chosen from the drop-down menu. The year can often be determined by the manufacturer’s data label or tag on the equipment, although sometimes the date is coded in the serial number. When the year of manufacture is entered the Home Energy Score will use a representative value for systems manufactured that year. Choose 1972 for systems manufactured prior to 1972.

From the drop-down menu, select the best description for the tilt of the solar array system. Use the table below as a guide.

Array Tilt	Approximate tilt angle from horizontal
Flat	0°
Low slope	15°
Medium slope	30°
Steep slope	45°

If this PV System serves multiple dwelling units, apportion the number of panels to the dwelling unit by dividing the building's total number of panels by the number of units using the embedded calculator. If this is a Multifamily Building Unit with a shared PV system, please contact assessor@ee.doe.gov.

If the roof area has skylights select "Yes", otherwise select "No".

Enter a value between 0 and 300 square feet.

To calculate total skylight area, multiply the length of each skylight by its width, such as 3.5 feet X 2.00 feet, then add together all the individual skylight areas to obtain the total skylight size. Include skylight frames as part of the area in your calculation. Round your entry to the nearest square foot.

If you know the actual specifications (U-Factor and SHGC) for the skylights click "Yes". The skylight specifications are printed on the NFRC label attached to the skylight by the manufacturer and cannot be determined by any type of assessment in the field. Therefore, the skylight specifications should be selected only if there is actual documentation present pertaining to the installed units.

Selecting "Yes" will change the characteristics fields to "U-Factor" and "Solar heat gain coefficient" (SHGC). If there are skylights with different documented U-Factors and/or different SHGC values a weighted average calculation should be performed.

Skylights may have one, two or three panes of glass (single, double and triple-paned), be clear or tinted, have an inert gas between the panes (argon gas fill), or have a variety of special coatings (solar-control low-E or insulating low-E).

Solar-control low-E coating

is generally used in hot climates. It lowers the amount of heat coming into the home from outside.

Insulating low-E coating

is generally used in cold climates. It lowers the amount of heat exiting the home to the outside.

Aluminum frames with a thermal break have a thin layer of insulating material between the parts of the frame. This reduces the amount of heat conducted through the skylight frame. If there are different types of skylights present, enter the characteristics of the predominant type.

If any side(s) of a home has different types of windows on the same side(s), select the predominate type (i.e. the type that is the largest in area) for each side that has more than one window type.

Enter the total window area (in square feet) for each side of the home. Include glass doors as windows.

It is not necessary to measure every single window individually. Most homes have only a small variety of differing window sizes, so the measurement of one window representative of a group of similarly sized windows can be multiplied by the number of windows in the group. Window frames should be included in the measurements. Calculate the total window area (ft2) for each side of the home, rounded to the nearest square foot.

If you know the actual window specifications (U-Factor and SHGC) for the windows click "Yes". The window specifications are printed on the NFRC label attached to the windows by the manufacturer and cannot be determined by any type of assessment in the field. Therefore, the window specifications should only be selected if there is actual documentation present pertaining to the installed windows. If windows on the same side have different U-Factors and/or different SHGC values, a weighted average calculation should be performed.

If you select "No", you need to select the window characteristics from the three drop-down menus: "Panes", "Frame Material", and "Glazing Type".

The windows may have one, two or three panes (single, double and triple-paned), be clear or tinted, have an inert gas between the panes (argon gas fill), or have a variety of special coatings (solar-control low-E or insulating low-E).

Solar-control low-E coating

is generally used in hot climates. It lowers the amount of heat coming into the home from outside.

Insulating low-E coating

is generally used in cold climates. It lowers the amount of heat exiting the home to the outside.

Aluminum frames with a thermal break have a thin layer of insulating material between the parts of the frame. This reduces the amount of heat conducted through the window frame.

A single paned window with a full storm window should be characterized as a double paned window.

Enter a value between 0.01 and 5.0. The U-Factor can be found on the NFRC label, and often on the window purchase documents.

Enter a value between 0 and 1. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) can be found on the NFRC label, and often on the window purchase documents.

This box should always be left unchecked unless your Home Energy Score Partner has specifically instructed you to check this, and all the compliance protocols have been met and can be verified with documentation.