We anticipate that the High Performance Homes at Laurel Court will achieve a HERS rating of 60 or below.  Each 1 point reduction on the HERS rating scale corresponds to a 1% decrease in energy consumption. By this measure the Laurel Court homes will consume 40% less energy than an average new home of equal size and between 50% and 75% less energy than an older home. Laurel Court is the first new neighborhood in Portsmouth to commit to building 100% of the homes to the High Performance standard.

Associated Cost Savings and Mortgage Benefits

We estimate that Laurel Court homeowners will save at least $400 per year in energy bills at current rates with the high performance home standards.  Actual figures depend on the choices that homeowners make around consumption. We believe that $400 per year saved is a conservative estimate.  The savings will increase dramatically as the cost of energy increases.

Chinburg Builders hires an independent 3^rd party consultant that certifies the HERS rating of the home.   The 3^rd party does an initial assessment of the construction drawings which estimates the energy costs for the home. Upon completion the 3^rd party does a final blower door test that shows how “tight” the built home is; this report is also presented to the homeowner.