Do you know your Home Energy Score?

The simple answer to this question can help make any house a more comfortable and affordable place to live.

Like a miles-per-gallon rating for a car, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score is an easy way for homeowners, buyers, and renters to get directly comparable and credible information about a home’s energy use across the housing market.

Shown in a simple 1-10 scale (10 being the most efficient), a Home Energy Score report can be used to estimate a home’s energy use, the associated costs, and provide affordable suggestions to improve its efficiency.

Make the Invisible Visible: Show the Value of Home Energy Features

Looking to sell your home? You can use a Home Energy Score to reflect the energy investments you’ve made and showcase them in future listings.

This information can also be used by appraisers and mortgage lenders for energy-related financing products—making your home more attractive and accessible to potential buyers. Buyers appreciate having as much information as possible when comparing homes, and the Home Energy Score is one tool they can use to make an informed decision.

Be a Smart Consumer: Know Your Home’s Energy Use & Costs

Most people buy or rent homes today without any information on expected energy use and costs or how to cost-effectively lower the home’s energy use.

Being a smart consumer means knowing everything you can about a potential purchase. A new home’s energy use impacts your comfort, indoor air quality, and monthly costs.

Ask for a Home Energy Score with your home’s inspection to get everything you need to make an informed purchase. Before renting, ask the landlord to provide one as well. If you’re buying or refinancing your home, the Home Energy Score can help you qualify for a larger mortgage or more financing options.

If you’ve already moved in, it’s not too late to be a smart consumer: get a Home Energy Score to discover affordable energy solutions that can improve your home’s energy performance and overall Score. Home Energy Score even provides guidance on smart home energy upgrades through unbiased energy modeling software.

How Do I Get a Home Energy Score?

Use the Find an Assessor Tool by entering your zip code into the box on the right to find Assessors ready to offer you a Home Energy Score. Or, visit our Partner Map to see which organizations may offer the Score in your area.

Curious for more information? Check out our Homeowner Resources page.

This article originally appeared in energy.gov.