Newly built homes in Minnesota are more energy efficient than ever as many builders are taking green building practices even further. With the efforts of Minnesota’s Green Path program, Minnesota has now tested and issued Home Performance Reports for more than 22,000 homes.
Minnesota homes scored an average Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index of 50 in 2019, ranking the state’s homes as the most energy-efficient homes of any high-production state, according to Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).
“For nearly a decade we’ve been working to make Minnesota a leader in energy-efficient homes through our Green Path program,” said David Siegel, executive director of Housing First Minnesota. “We’re proud to see our builders embrace sustainable building practices and incorporate construction techniques, materials and designs intended to provide maximum home comfort while conserving energy and minimizing a home’s impact on the environment.”
Our Green Path program promotes sustainable building practices by providing builders and consumers Home Performance Reports that highlight a home’s RESNET HERS index and air exchange measurement. The lower the HERS index or score the more energy efficient the home.
Here’s a look at the numbers behind green building in Minnesota that are worth celebrating:
Total Number of Green Path Home Performance Reports Issued: 22,000
Number of Green Path Home Performance Reports issued in 2019: 4,583
Source: MN Green Path
Number of Designated Green Path Builders: 33
Source: MN Green Path
According to RESNET, in 2019 there were 241,909 homes in the U.S. that were HERS rated and issued a HERS Index Score. This broke the record for the number of homes HERS rated in a year. The previous record from 2018 was 236,116 homes HERS rated.
The U.S. average HERS Index Score in 2019 was 59. This is 41% more efficient than a home built as recently as 2006. Minnesota’s average HERS Index was 50 in 2019.
RESNET calculates that the energy efficiency driven by Minnesota’s Green Path for families who purchased HERS rated homes in 2019 saved more than $178 million.
For more information visit MNGreenPath.org.
