Introduction To Energy Ratings and Other Comfort Specialties

Founding KC HERO Chairperson: Ken Riead
Email: kenr@hathmore.com

Wecome to my world!!

A Few Words from the President of KC HERO:

This KC HERO website may be new but our group of energy raters and other comfort professionals have been meeting for many years now. We know that energy prices will continue to climb and that many people will experience comfort, health and safety issues. Our main desire is to help you get the answers you need!

Some of you may be thinking, "I've never heard of Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) before. Is this something new?" Actually, the idea of providing an energy & environmental rating or ranking using a uniform evaluation system is not new at all. HERS ratings, in various forms, are over 20 years old. Lending institutions use HERS ratings to offer special mortgage products and incentives. Codes officials have approved HERS ratings as a method to determine compliance for energy efficiency standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires HERS ratings as a third party verification for their ENERGY STAR® program.

Only certified HERS raters are listed on this KC HERO website. A HERS rater or home energy rater is an energy professional certified to be knowledgeable about the many aspects of home construction, energy systems and much more. Some raters prefer to be known as "comfort specialists" that are also energy & environmental experts. You can contact a home energy rater by clicking here. Most of the raters in the greater Kansas City area are certified by the Energy & Environmental Ratings Alliance or EERA. EERA is listed on the National Registry of Accredited Home Energy Rating Systems on RESNET.

Whether you are planning to build a new home, duplex, apartment building or even a small commercial structure, it pays to consult with a HERS rater or other energy expert so that they can make suggestions that will address your priorities. Maybe your priority is a more healthy living environment or increased comfort. Perhaps you want to lower your energy bills or reduce the mold or mildew in your basement.

The information derived from a HERS rating provides a plan or roadmap to address your specific needs. The reports will tell you if your best investment is replacement windows, more insulation or replacement of your older furnace and/or air conditioner unit. Thinking about a solar room addition? The HERS rating can give you insight into how much money you can expect to save on your heating bills.

In this uncertain world we live in there are very few things that can be documented that truly save your hard-earned money. However, well thought-out plans to conserve energy and other precious (and expensive) natural resources have been proven time and time again to provide real ROI - Return On Investment, sometimes for decades.

Please take some time to peruse the other sections of this website. Hopefully, the information will help answer your questions. If not, please feel free to email your questions or comments to me at kenr@hathmore.com and I'll try my best to answer them.

Thank you.

Ken Riead