An Energy Rating is a report that is a "snap shot" of the energy use characteristics of a dwelling.  They are, by themselves, not an energy efficient measure and are subject to frequent changes based upon changing standards and scales.

Class 3 Rating: A projected energy rating reserved for new buildings and clearly labeled as "projected rating based on plans" that is conducted using construction documents as the sources for the input data on which the rating is based.

Class 2 Rating: A thorough on-site inspection and verification is conducted of building envelope materials and equipment. The duct system is defaulted to "leaky" in order to determine the HERS score. This leakage is assumed to be approximately 15%.

Class 1 Rating: Includes a Class 2 rating plus the performance testing of the house leakage (air infiltration) with a Blower Door and duct leakage of the system with a Duct Blaster. The final HERS score is calculated and e-mailed to the Florida Solar Energy Center for certification.

Registered Rating: A home that has been inspected and/or performance tested under the guidelines of Class 2 or Class 1 procedures and the results reported to a HERS Provider. In Florida, the official HERS Provider is the Florida Solar Energy Center. The results are reviewed for quality control, archived at FSEC, and quarterly reports of Energy Star compliant ratings (86 or above HERS scores) are reported to EPA if requested by customer. FSEC also performs site spot checks on the rater for further quality control issues and for the integrity of the program. Once a house is duly registered, the HERS Provider will send the registering agent (rater) a security code to print the rating report and Energy Star certificate (if applicable) with the actual score. Cost of the registration is $25 for both Class 1 and Class 2 ratings.