Most homes in America score 130 or higher. UnionMain Homes averages in the low 50s, meaning our buyers save hundreds every month before they even move in.
When you buy a new home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you're making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. The HERS score is one number that tells you exactly how much that decision will cost you, month after month, year after year.
At UnionMain Homes, energy efficiency isn't a checkbox. It's built into every home we construct across DFW, from Milrany Ranch in Melissa to Reunion in Rhome. Our average HERS score in the low 50s means our buyers enjoy some of the most energy-efficient new homes in North Texas.
Here's what that number means, and why it should be at the top of your homebuying checklist.
UnionMain Homes: Built for Low HERS Scores
UnionMain Homes averages a HERS score in the low 50s across our DFW communities, nearly half the energy use of the standard reference home and dramatically better than the typical resale home on the market today.
That score isn't accidental. It's the result of deliberate building practices, verified by independent HERS Raters before every home closes. Every UnionMain home is tested. Every score is documented.
*Reflects average HERS score across UnionMain Homes communities. Individual home scores may vary.
Where You Can Find Our Energy Efficient Homes in DFW
Our communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are built with the same commitment to low HERS scores and energy performance. Two standout locations where you can experience this firsthand:
Located in one of the fastest-growing corridors in North Texas, Milrany Ranch offers energy-efficient new homes in Melissa with verified low HERS scores. Families here get access to top-rated Melissa ISD schools and utility bills that reflect a truly modern home.
In Reunion at Rhome, buyers get the space and lifestyle of Wise County with the energy performance of a purpose-built, high-efficiency home. Low HERS scores mean lower monthly costs, an especially meaningful advantage as utility rates in North Texas continue to rise.
What Is a HERS Score?
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the nationally recognized standard for measuring home energy efficiency, developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Think of it like miles-per-gallon for your house. Every home gets a single, comparable number.
The scale works like a golf score: lower is better. A score of 100 is the baseline, representing a standard reference home. A score of 52 means the home uses roughly half the energy of that baseline. A score of 0 is net-zero.
| HERS Score | What It Means | vs. Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Net-zero energy home | 100% more efficient |
| ~52 UnionMain Avg. | Highly energy efficient. UnionMain Homes standard. | ~48% more efficient |
| 70 | Good new construction | 30% more efficient |
| 100 | Standard reference home (baseline) | Baseline |
| 130 | Typical older resale home | 30% less efficient |
| 150+ | Very inefficient / older construction | 50%+ less efficient |
The typical resale home in DFW scores somewhere between 130 and 150. The gap between that and a UnionMain home in the low 50s isn't just a number. It's hundreds of dollars a month in utility savings.
How Is a HERS Score Calculated?
A certified HERS Rater, an independent third-party professional accredited by RESNET, performs a comprehensive inspection and energy analysis of the home before it closes. This isn't an estimate or a builder's claim. It's a measured, engineered verification that examines:
- Insulation levels in walls, attic, floors, and foundation
- Window and door performance (U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient)
- Air leakage, measured with a blower door test
- HVAC system type, efficiency ratings, and duct leakage
- Water heating system efficiency
- Lighting, appliances, and renewable energy systems
"A HERS rating isn't an estimate. It's an engineered, independently verified measurement. Buyers can take that number to the bank." RESNET
At UnionMain Homes, every home is rated. You don't have to take our word for our energy performance. You get the documentation to prove it.
Why Low HERS Scores Matter to DFW Homebuyers
Lower Monthly Utility Bills
Texas summers are brutal. Keeping a home cool in July and August is expensive unless your home is built to handle that load efficiently. Every 1-point improvement on the HERS scale reduces energy costs by roughly 1%. At a HERS score of 52 compared to the typical resale home at 140, UnionMain buyers could see nearly $1,500 or more in annual utility savings. That's over $125 a month back in your pocket, every month.
Stronger Long-Term Home Value
A 2022 study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that homes with energy certifications commanded a 3 to 5% price premium over non-certified homes in the same market. In a competitive DFW resale market, a documented HERS score is a real differentiator that buyers will pay for. Choosing an energy-efficient home in Melissa or Rhome today is an investment in resale value for years to come.
Real Comfort, Especially in a Texas Summer
Low HERS scores aren't just about lower bills. A tightly built, well-insulated home maintains consistent temperatures room to room, reduces the strain on your HVAC, and keeps your home comfortable even when it's 105 degrees outside. UnionMain buyers notice the difference the moment they walk in.
- More consistent room-to-room temperatures year-round
- Fewer hot spots near windows or exterior walls
- Better humidity control during North Texas summers
- Improved indoor air quality through controlled ventilation
- Quieter interiors thanks to superior insulation and windows
A Smaller Environmental Footprint
Residential buildings account for roughly 20% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Buying a home with a HERS score in the low 50s is one of the most meaningful steps a household can take toward reducing its environmental impact, and at UnionMain, it comes standard.
Why New Construction Homes Lead on Energy Efficiency in DFW
The typical resale home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area scores 130 to 150 on the HERS scale. Most new construction scores 50 to 70. UnionMain averages in the low 50s. That gap represents real money and real comfort, every single day you live in the home.
New homes like those at Milrany Ranch in Melissa and Reunion in Rhome score better because they're engineered from the ground up with modern building science:
- Advanced framing techniques that maximize insulation and minimize thermal bridging
- High-performance Low-E windows with dramatically improved insulation values
- 16 SEER2 or higher HVAC systems, compared to 8 to 10 SEER in many older DFW homes
- Tight building envelopes tested and certified by independent raters before closing
- Fresh-air ventilation systems that maintain air quality without wasting energy
- ENERGY STAR certified appliances standard across communities
A UnionMain home at Milrany Ranch or Reunion may cost nearly 50% less to operate annually than a comparable older home. That's a savings of over $1,000 every year, for every year you own it.
What About Upgrading a Resale Home?
It's possible to improve a resale home's HERS score through upgrades like a new HVAC, added insulation, or window replacement. But in DFW, where home prices and renovation costs are both elevated, it rarely pencils out. A new HVAC system runs $5,000 to $12,000. Full window replacement runs $8,000 to $20,000. Attic insulation runs $1,500 to $4,000. After spending $25,000 or more, that retrofitted older home might still only reach a HERS score of 85 to 95, still far behind a new UnionMain home.
HERS Scores and Your Mortgage
A low HERS score isn't just good for your utility bills. It can affect how you finance your home and what you qualify for.
Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)
The FHA, VA, and conventional lenders all offer Energy Efficient Mortgage programs that allow buyers to borrow additional funds for energy improvements or to purchase a more efficient home with better financing terms. A verified HERS score is often the documentation that unlocks these programs. UnionMain's rated homes make that process straightforward.
Lower DTI Calculation Potential
Fannie Mae's HomeStyle Energy program allows lenders to factor projected energy savings into your debt-to-income ratio. With documented savings from a low HERS score, you may qualify for a larger loan than you otherwise would. The reasoning is simple: lower utility bills free up monthly income to service mortgage debt.
What to Ask Any Builder About Energy Efficiency
Whether you're visiting Milrany Ranch, Reunion, or any other community in the DFW area, these questions will tell you everything you need to know about a builder's energy performance:
Your Energy Efficiency Buyer Checklist
- Has this home been rated by a certified HERS Rater?
- What is the average HERS score across your communities?
- Can I see a copy of the HERS rating report?
- What is the estimated annual energy cost for this home?
- Does this home carry any energy certifications?
- What warranties cover the energy systems?
At UnionMain Homes, we answer every one of these questions confidently and hand you the documentation to back it up. If a builder hesitates on any of these, that tells you something important.
The Score That Tells the Whole Story
DFW homebuyers are sophisticated. You compare school districts, commute times, and price per square foot. The HERS score deserves a spot on that list because it answers a question that affects your finances every single month: how much will this home actually cost me to live in?
At UnionMain Homes, the answer is clear. Our communities at Milrany Ranch in Melissa and Reunion in Rhome are built to deliver some of the most energy efficient new homes in DFW, with average HERS scores in the low 50s, verified by independent raters, and documented for every buyer.
The typical resale home in North Texas scores 130 to 150. We average in the low 50s. That difference adds up to real money, real comfort, and a real advantage for every year you call a UnionMain home yours.
See Our Low HERS Scores in Person
Visit Milrany Ranch in Melissa or Reunion in Rhome and ask your sales consultant to walk you through our energy performance specs. The numbers speak for themselves.
