Home Energy Score Assessments in Eastern Iowa
The DOE Home Energy Score rates your home on a scale of 1 to 10 based on how efficiently it uses energy. A 10 means low energy use. A 1 means the home is working hard and costing you for it. The assessment tells you exactly where your home stands and, more importantly, what it would take to move the number.
Rob Novak at Home Star Iowa is a DOE-certified Home Energy Score assessor serving Eastern Iowa. He brings over 15 years of building science experience and a full suite of BPI diagnostic credentials to every assessment.
What the Score Tells You
A Home Energy Score report includes:
- Your current score (1–10) based on the home’s envelope, mechanical systems, and energy use
- Estimated annual energy costs — what you’re likely spending on heating, cooling, and hot water
- Recommended improvements ranked by impact — insulation, air sealing, equipment upgrades, and more
- Projected new score and savings if recommended upgrades are completed
The report is standardized and third-party verified — which means it carries weight with lenders, real estate agents, utility programs, and buyers.
Who Gets a Home Energy Score — and Why
Homeowners
Understand what your home is actually costing you and where to invest first. The report prioritizes improvements by impact, so you’re not guessing.
Home Sellers & Realtors
A HES score on a listing gives buyers objective efficiency data — and differentiates energy-efficient homes in a competitive market. Some MLS systems now display the score alongside square footage and year built.
Home Buyers
Know before you close. A HES assessment on a home you’re considering tells you what the energy costs will likely be and what deferred efficiency problems exist.
Utility Rebate & Weatherization Programs
Many Iowa utility programs and weatherization initiatives use the Home Energy Score as a qualifying tool. An assessment may be a required step to access rebates or program funding.
What the Assessment Looks Like
A Home Energy Score assessment typically takes one to two hours on-site. Rob will:
- Walk through the home and document the building envelope — insulation levels, window types, foundation type, and air sealing characteristics
- Evaluate the heating, cooling, and water heating systems
- Enter the data into the DOE’s official scoring tool
- Generate and deliver your official Home Energy Score report
No destructive testing. No equipment left behind. You get a clear, printed report at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Home Energy Score assessment cost?
Contact us for current pricing — call 319.244.8564 or reach out online. Cost varies based on home size and location. Drafty rooms, high bills, uneven temperatures, or comfort problems? Schedule a diagnostic home energy audit.
Is the Home Energy Score the same as an energy audit?
Not exactly. A HES assessment is a standardized, DOE-issued rating — think of it as a certified label for your home’s energy performance. A full diagnostic energy audit involves more testing (blower door, combustion safety, duct leakage) and a deeper set of recommendations. We offer both — ask us which makes sense for your situation.
Do I need one to sell my home?
Not required in Iowa, but increasingly relevant. Buyers and agents are paying more attention to energy performance, and a strong score can support your asking price or listing narrative.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Eastern Iowa including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marion, Hiawatha, North Liberty, Coralville, and surrounding communities. Not sure if we cover your area? Call and ask.
How soon can I get an assessment scheduled?
Contact us and we’ll find a time that works. Turnaround from assessment to report delivery is typically quick.
About Your Assessor
Rob Novak has held DOE Home Energy Score assessor status for roughly eight years and is BPI-certified across multiple building science disciplines. He founded Home Star Iowa after 15 years in the family HVAC business — so when he walks through your home, he understands the mechanical systems and the building shell as one integrated system, not two separate departments.