Last year, more than 22 percent of all new homes received a HERS rating through RESNET's standards. Pearl has established its certification on the East Coast and in California, and recently expanded into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona markets. By increasing the quantity and accessibility of information about efficient homes, the partnership will increase consumer interest in home certification, creating new opportunities for both organizations.

A recent report published by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) found that a majority of utility new homes programs rely on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) ratings for compliance verification.  The CEE's "The Overview of Residential New Homes Programs in the United States and Canada" summarizes currently active voluntary programs for the construction of new homes. The report is based on 71 utility programs located in 36 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.